The HUB - Issue 35 by Brogan McMullen

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14th - 27th January 2011

Issue Number 35

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Local Nursery Helping Carers Trust

Local residents raise money for Wishaw General Page 3

Special Award

for Uddingston Cake Shop Page 5

New Year, New You Our guide to a healthier 2011 Centre Pages

Great Reader Holiday Offers Page 18

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2-nts central 2* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade ig hearted children atto 3* hotel 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE Bothwell Nursery 2-nts centralMontessori 4* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE 3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel took to the2-ntsstreets aupgrade ‘toddle central 3* hotel. Low seasonin offer - FREE to 4* hotel 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE walk’ around the village to raise 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE some funds2-nts for charity. 3-nts central 2* hotel. central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE 76 upgrade to 4* hotel The walk,3-ntswhich saw 2-nts central 3* hotel. Selected dates - 3rd nt FREE children, accompanied byto 4*parents, 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade hotel 3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel grandparents teachers from 3-nts centraland 3* hotel. Low season offer - 4th nt FREE 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE the nursery braved the bleak Munich £249 £229 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE Nice £399 N/Aconditions 4-nts central 4* hotel. New route commencing April 2011 weather to complete £239 £199 2-nts central 2* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 3* hotel Prague £289 £289 3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer 4th nt FREE the course around Bothwell. Riga £259 £229 3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel In£299doing managed to Rome £229 so, 3-nts centralthey 2* hotel. Low season offer - 4th nt FREE Stockholm £289 £259 3-nts central 3* hotel. Includes coach ticket to city centre raise the fantastic sum of £950 Tallinn £229 £199 2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE which this year has been donated to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Nicola Hay, nursery Principal told The HUB; “The toddle walk was an opportunity for us to raise some money for local charities. I Contact was very proud of everyone as the THE weather was not great on the day but we managed.” She continued; “Everyone at the nursery would in complete conﬁdence like to thank the parents and grandparents who helped make the event possible and of course, thanks to everyone who made a Barcelona Berlin

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donation.” The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services throughout the UK., The Trust currently provides information, advice and support services to almost a quarter of a million carers in the UK, including 13,000 young carers. The trust was created back in 1991 on the initiative by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. At that time people caring at home for family members or friends with disabilities and chronic illnesses were scarcely recognised as requiring support. Nearly 20 years later, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has been fighting to provide carers with the support they so desperately need and the Trust understands the importance that a carer plays in

Angela McGarva, Nicola Hay and Emma Baird from the Princes Royal Trust for Carers with some of the children from the nursery. TOP: The kids and helpers on their ‘toddle walk’.

our lives. It is fact that very few of us actually plan to become carers and when a caring role starts,

everyone found in that situation of being a carer needs an expert to guide them through the maze of services, rules and entitlements.

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14th - 27th January 2011

EDITORS COMMENTS W

ell a very warm welcome to 2011 from everyone here at The HUB. I would like to wish all of our readers and advertisers a very Happy New Year. This is our first publication of 2011 and thank you for picking up your copy. 2010 was a great year for us at The HUB, we saw the business grow both in terms of circulation, sales revenues and of course geographically with the introduction of the Wishaw HUB. Whilst we managed to operate with a skeleton staff over the festive period it gave us the opportunity to map out our objectives for the year ahead. Using this time we have put together how we grow organically – a strategy that we believe will firmly establish the brand. The organic growth has already

started with the move into our new offices which will be more than sufficient to suit our requirements as a newspaper and as a publishing company – well at least for 2011 anyway. We have recruited more sales staff to service our clients and generate more income whilst at the same time we have, and are in the process of recruiting more back office and design staff to handle our workload. Throughout the year I expect to see the launch of four new titles which will take our group portfolio to six – allowing us to fully capitalise and maximise the opportunities that are currently available. Who says that newspapers are in decline? For this publication the objectives are crystal clear – regular circulation of greater than 30,000 across Lanarkshire including far greater

are kept as safe as possible. If these measures, which are intended to make dangerous pavements safer, were implemented this in turn would have helped minimise the risk of falling and injury. The report made many other sensible suggestions including: 8adh^c\ V gdVY WZ[dgZ î WZXdbZh impassable in order to clear it and treat it 8d"dgY^cVi^c\ i]Z XadhjgZ d[ ejWa^X facilities at a local level. BV`^c\ î âaZ\Va id eVg` dc gdVYh when they are being cleared of snow and ice GZfj^g^c\ adgg^Zh id eVg` ^c aVn"Wnh when snow arrives to reduce the risk of either losing traction or ‘jackknifing’ and coming to a halt causing traffic delays. The parliament debated the issue of ‘Winter Resilience’ before the Christmas recess. During this debate the Scottish Conservatives called for a ‘traffic light’ warning system for severe weather that would clearly indicate to members of the public when it is definitely not suitable to travel, with milder warnings indicating that drivers ought to take care and be prepared for an emergency. I hope, that as such snowy conditions become a regular feature of the Scottish winter that the Scottish Government will look to implementation many of the practical proposals made by Transport Scotland to ensure that Scotland continues to function safely. Parliamentary Business When business was not interrupted by announcements concerning the snow and the problems associated with the extreme weather, the Scottish Parliament had a busy legislative programme in the couple of month leading up to the Christmas break. There were stage three proceedings for the Alcohol Bill, the Children’s Hearing’s System Bill and the Forth Road Crossing Bill and in December I spoke during Scottish Government debate concerning violence against women. Mental Heath Act -post legislative scrutiny It was a particularly hectic time for the Equal Opportunities Committee,

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penetration in Hamilton and Motherwell. We believe this is perfectly achievable and we have the right team, attitude and belief to make this happen.

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Of course, all of this could not be possible without the support of our readers and advertisers and for that, we are very thankful for the support to date. We will continue to deliver the positive and feel good factor stories Scott Mochar, Editor along with delivering the positive aspects of the more serious issues that we all face in our day to day lives.

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Once again, thank you for your continued support as we look forward to working together in 2011 and beyond.

Margaret Mitchell MSP F irst of all Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy 2011! The Big Freeze The new year has seen Lanarkshire and the rest of Scotland continue to experience the ‘Big Freeze’ which we have all had to cope with over the past few months. Heavy snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures have made conditions arduous and have presented huge challenges for motorists, pedestrians and the public in general. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those in the public, private and third sectors who battled through the snow to clear roads, keep supermarkets open and to carry out their caring duties. Another big thank you to all of you who have helped those stranded either at home or on the roads. It is immensely heartening that in these tough conditions so many people have come together to look out for family, friends, neighbours and even strangers. Lessons Less re-assuring however are the SNP Government’s claims to have learnt ‘key lessons’ following the considerable snow which caused havoc last winter (2009/2010) and which must be in doubt given that the number of ambulance call-outs for ‘falls’ this winter is two and a half times those of last year. This is a sad and alarming consequence of the heavy snow and ice on Scotland’s pavements and roads and begs the question have, as the first minister never tires of saying, ‘key lessons’ been learnt and if so what significant practical measures have been implemented. For example, following last winter’s snow Transport Scotland undertook a review of procedures to see what improvements could be made. Its report: ‘Scottish Road Network – Lessons learned and recommendations following the events of winter 2009/10’ included the recommendation that while grit bins are widely available, consideration ought to be given to providing community groups with high visibility vests, shovels and mini-spreaders. Clearly the SNP Government has a role in working with our councils to make sure pavements and roads

Contact Information

which I convene. In November the committee began to take evidence for Stage One of the Forced Marriage Bill, and this work will continue into 2011. The committee also initiated a debate regarding the committee’s scrutiny of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The debate was important in two ways. Firstly, it highlighted the role Scottish Parliament committees play in examining existing legislation, assessing how it has been implemented and whether the aims of the legislation have been achieved. Secondly it highlighted certain failings in the treatment of those with mental health problems including the fact that 80% of women incarcerated in Cornton Vale suffered from mental health issues and that between 1-2% of these should have been hospitalised rather than imprisoned. More specifically, as I emphasised during the debate, the scrutiny raised awareness of the unpalatable fact that treatment of prisoners with mental health problems in 21st century Scotland today is more akin to Dickensian Britain. The Scotland Bill The Scotland Bill was also introduced to the parliament before Christmas. There was an initial debate on the Bill and the Scotland Bill Committee started taking evidence earlier this month. I remain opposed to the Scotland Bill. Since the inception of devolution the Scottish Parliament already has significant powers. Currently 61% of spending (the equivalent of 29% of GDP) is controlled by the Scottish Parliament. So instead of asking for more powers, which will only help those who seek independence, what is needed is a programme of radical reform to address the issues in Scottish public services and the economy. In short I firmly believe that Scotland already has at its disposal the powers it needs to initiate policies which will make life

better for people in Scotland but what it has spectacularly lacked, first under the Lib/Lab coalition government and now under an SNP minority government, is the political will to implement the necessary programme of radical reform. Granting yet more fiscal powers to the Parliament and creating confusion about who levies income tax can only help the separatists. Elections 2011 Finally I was delighted to come top of the conservative party Central Scotland regional list in December and to be joined in second place in the Central Scotland Regional constituency by Robert Crozier who lives in Larbert and is the candidate in Airdrie Shotts where he has already built up a formidable reputation for hard work on behalf of his constituents. The next few months promise to be full of activity as this parliament comes to the end of its third term. Once the parliament dissolves at the end of March, all the parties will embark on a frantic six weeks of campaigning. It promises to be an exciting election here in Central Scotland. The regional boundary changes mean that the Scottish Conservatives will be better placed to elect two MSPs on the list/ regional vote. The changes have also created the new constituency of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and overall the Central Scotland region will become slightly smaller as Kilmarnock, Strathaven and most of Blantyre are now in another region. During the last Scottish elections in 2007 there was a swing towards the SNP in Central Scotland. Now after four years and with a record in government which has seen SNP tot up many broken manifesto promises including the failure to: abolish student debt; reduce class sizes and introduce a local income tax I believe a disappointed electorate will vote according. The Scottish Conservatives were close to taking two seats under the old boundaries with more favourable boundary changes we will be working harder than ever to target the regional list vote in an effort to return two Conservative Central Scotland List MSPs.

Constituency Office: 104 Cadzow Street, Hamilton, ML3 6HP Tel: 01698 282815 | Email: Margaret.Mitchell.msp@ scottish.parliament.uk

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ellshill and Mossend YMCA are offering the public and opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the wide variety of services they deliver with their open day on Saturday 22nd January 2011 between 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Open Day will be an opportunity to learn about the services delivered by the YMCA free of charge. At the event, there will be staff from the Youth, Childcare and Health and Leisure services on hand to discuss and profile the work that they do. A real benefit of the open day will be the free public access to the YMCA’s new Absolute Women gym Bellshill’s first ladies only gym. There is a specially designed circuit which is set up to work all the major muscle groups as well as providing a cardio workout, and best of all, it only takes around half an hour to complete – ideal for any woman with a hectic lifestyle. Also, as its women only, you can work out at ease in our relaxed and non-intimidating surroundings. At Absolute Women, as well as participating in our circuit,

you will be given your own personalised training plan, have periodic reviews of you weight and measurements to track your progress, receive free access to our unisex gym – Absolute Fitness and also enjoy our relaxing seating facilities with free internet access and refreshments. From the freshly refurbished surroundings to the state of the art equipment and extremely competitive membership prices, the YMCA has something to offer women of all ages, shapes and sizes and are committed to helping you achieve your 2011 weight and fitness goals. In addition to access to Absolute Women the public will be offered the opportunity to try the Y’s multi purpose Health and Leisure suite and access to the newly refurbished free weights facility. If the festive season has left you feeling a bit bloated and lethargic, and you are looking for a quick and easy way to get fit, lose weight and meet new people, then get yourself down to the YMCA and find out how they can support you! Refreshments will be available on the day.

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14th - 27th January 2011

ÂŁ500 FOR NEONATAL T

Allison Fallon presenting cheque to Sheila Millar from Neonatal Department at Wishaw General Hospital, watched by the Thorniewood League of Darts Team

he Neo Natal department at Wishaw General Hospital was ÂŁ500 better off after some local residents grouped together to raise money for them. Local resident Alison Fallon of Tip Top Mobile Cleaning Services spearheaded the campaign to raise funds for the Neonatal in remembrance of her great nephew Daniel Mark Henney, who was born a twin sadly died at 8 weeks old after being born 14 weeks premature. Neonatal nursing provide much needed care for newborn infants including specialised care for premature or ill newborns. Alison, along with the members of Thorniewood League of Darts, family and friends set about raising money for the department shortly after the darts team was formed. She told The HUB; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The darts team were looking to raise some funds to help support them when it was decided that they should raise some money for charity at the same time.â&#x20AC;? To raise the money, Alison underwent a sponsored hair cut at Zeus based on Old Edinburgh Road, which raised over ÂŁ340 with the balance coming in the form of raffles and donations. Alison said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to thank literally everyone who has helped, sponsored or made a donation and all of the clubs and organisations in the area were really supportive.â&#x20AC;?

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14th - 27th January 2011

HIGH NOTE FOR SL SCHOOL BANDS LOOKING GOOD FOR BULLET EXPRESS

outh Lanarkshire Schools' Big Band has phenomenal success at the recent Glasgow Jazz Festival School Jazz Band competition. They were awarded the Winners of Best Regional Band Category, Best Overall Band (winners of Chic McCafferty Cup) and Best Soloist Awards -A Joint award

presented to Greg McIntosh (Drummer SLSBB) and Allan Dixon (saxophone SLSBB) At the competition, the band performed Mas Que Nada and Bad Bad Leroy Brown. There was further success for South Lanarkshire’s Calderglen High School

who were awarded the title of Winners of Best School Band Category. Graeme Barclay Assistant Instrumental Music Coordinator, South Lanarkshire Council told The HUB; "Our sincere congratulations, and thanks go to all Band Leaders, staff, parents, schools and naturally our gifted musical

youngsters for their commitment and support. This achievement is a true celebration of South Lanarkshie Schools'instrumental music excellence. We are extremely grateful to Creative Scotland for their continuing financial support to the band through the Youth Music Initiative.”

YOUNG PEOPLE SHOWCASE DRAMA DVD N

Picture by Jacqueline Brady

orth Lanarkshire’s young people are set to be stars of the silver screen as their drama DVD enjoys its first showing today (Wednesday 12 January 2011). Titled “The Good, The Bad and The Children”, the DVD is made by young people for young people and highlights the priorities of North Lanarkshire’s Children’s Services Partnership in their work to improve the lives of children and young people in North Lanarkshire. The young people decided that the best way to highlight the priorities was to produce short dramas about each one contained in the Children’s Summary Plan as a way of getting other young people involved in discussions about the issues. The DVD features a series of short dramas about young people who need extra help; young people affected by drugs and alcohol; young people who

break the law; young people in care and keeping young people safe. The young people involved developed the storylines, acted the parts, filmed the dramas and wrote a rap as a way of engaging other young people in discussion about the issues featured. Each young person was presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievement. An invited audience comprising secondary school pupils from Coatbridge and members from North Lanarkshire Partnership will watch the screening. And work is underway to incorporate the DVD in lesson plans at schools to help raise awareness of the Children’s Plan and encourage the engagement of young people. Speaking on behalf of North Lanarkshire Partnership, Councillor Barry McCulloch thanked all of the

ullet Express Ltd based in Bothwell has been recognised for their achievements at the recent Haulage Industry Awards. They picked up the award for Scottish Top Fleet Livery at the annual Transport News Scottish Rewards ceremony that was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow. Founded in 1990 by David McCutcheon and Gary Smith, Bullet Express has a fleet of

over 30 vehicles and has been providing their customers with ‘unique solutions’ to their logistical problems. David said; “Another award in Scotland is great for the company, especially in a celebratory year. We worked very hard with our design team to get it right and in fact have had many comments from fellow hauliers on the smartness of the new livery.”

young people involved in producing the DVD. He said, “A tremendous amount of hard work and dedication was shown by all of the young people involved in making this fantastic DVD. Not only that, but the talent they display is second to none and it’s great to see them use these talents to highlight some of the issues that many young people struggle with. “I’d also like to thank FPS (frames per second) Media for helping the young people produce the film and also to the Showcase Cinema for allowing us to screen their DVD at no cost.” Mary Castles, Executive Director of Housing and Social Work added, “Our Children’s Services Plan is key to

meeting the needs of children, young people and their families. While most children and young people’s needs are met by their families or carers our plan focuses on services that target the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and require an integrated approach from more than one agency. “We’re consulting with young people at today’s event and helping them to explore these important issues and I’m sure the screening of he DVD will do just that. And just as importantly, we’re hoping to encourage them to become involved in letting North Lanarkshire Partnership know the issues that are important to the young people here in North Lanarkshire.”

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ICING ON THE CAKE

FOOTBALL LEAGUE TAKES CENTRAL STAGE

L:R Jeanette Donald (Special Days), Barbara McMurray (Judge), Greta Burns (Special Days), Teresa Hannah (Belt-Up) and Uddingston Pride Chairman – Liz Wilson.

pecial Days Cake Shop in Uddingston recently received the accolade of ‘best Christmas window display’ in the annual competition run by local conservation group Uddingston Pride. The competition which coincides with the village’s annual Christmas day was fierce this year and Special Days were judged to have had the best display and

were awarded the trophy (supplied by sponsor Belt-up). The judges who had the difficult task of selecting the winning display were Anne Bowes who is a committee member of Uddingston Pride and sits on the Uddingston Community Council and Mrs Barbara McMurray, a local resident who takes a keen interest in Uddingston. Anne told The HUB that she was

delighted at the number of businesses which participated in the contest and thought the standard was very good this year – making their decision tough. Uddingston Pride spokesperson, Alex Stephen commented; “Their commitment helps in the overall marking for the Britain in Bloom and Beautiful Scotland competitions later in the year.”

rapturously applauded as were the soloists, Mark Donnelly, Aileen Marley and Nicholas Macdonald (a Britain’s Got Talent Contestant). Church Organist, Dr John Burnett played a piece by Handel and Geoffrey Tanti a Chopin waltz to

fill in the gap created by the late withdrawal of Uddingston Grammar School because of weather conditions. Alan Adams on behalf of the Rotary Club of Bothwell and Uddingston, thanked all concerned in verse.

Bothwell News By Trevor Cooper

Thanks to the support of the public and sponsorship the Carol Concert held in Uddingston Parish Church raised £1500 for Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust. The concert with Bothwell Philharmonic Choir directed by Mark Donnelly was

Back Row - Andy Smith, Daryl Johnstone (16, Drumpark), Provost Tom Curley, Robert Love (14, Glencryan), Blane Dodds Front Row – Alan Mechan (15, Portland), Liam Richardson (17, Carrongrange) and Ryan Moore (13, Firpark)

new 7-a-side football league for secondary school pupils attending Assisted Special Needs schools (ASN) in central Scotland has been created. The fixtures aim to encourage greater participation from youngsters with additional support needs. The inaugural matches took place at the new £32m Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility at the end of 2010 and featured players from Portland, Glencryan, Firpark, Drumpark and Carrongrange in Falkirk ASN schools. The league has been set up as part of a partnership project involving North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Football Association. Former Scottish International star and North Lanarkshire football development officer Andy Smith has worked hard to set up the league and

he said: “We have been working in partnership with the SFA during the last couple of years to provide weekly coaching sessions within our ASN schools. “The pupils and coaches have really enjoyed the sessions and we have some very talented footballers within these schools. “We are hoping to expand the league in the future and include more local authority teams as football provides a great way of encouraging the pupils to enjoy exercise and become part of a team game.” Each school has a squad of 10 players with dedicated coaches supporting their training ahead of league games. The SFA has provided funding to support the coaching sessions in the schools The next set of matches takes place

on the 4 February at Ravenscraig and this will be followed up further games in March and April before the top two teams go forward to represent the Central region at the National finals in June. Councillor Jim Logue, Convener of Learning and Leisure Services added: “We are proud to be supporting the ASN central league and the Ravenscraig facility provides the perfect sporting venue for this type of competition. “As a council, we are committed to encouraging all our pupils to get more involved in sport and have healthier lifestyles. “Through education and the stimulus of sport, young people can build self esteem and develop their sporting talents and the ASN league provides a perfect opportunity for this.”

Entrance Assessments Saturdays 22 & 29 January 2011 • Lanarkshire’s local independent school • Year round nursery places available in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council • A welcoming, friendly, Christian environment • Fee-assisted places • Small class sizes and nurturing ethos • Potential maximised academically, in sports, music and the arts • Health Promoting School Gold Award • Excellent teaching and IT facilities • On-site swimming pool and sports pitches Christian Schools (Scotland) Limited is a registered charity trading as Hamilton College – SC006206

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14th - 27th January 2011

Contents insurance is a ‘telly’ good idea O

ne lucky council tenant was able to watch the Festive programmes in style after winning a brand-new television. A prize draw had been held for new and existing members of the council’s home contents insurance scheme and Anne Wilson, from Hamilton, was first out of the hat to win the 32-inch flat screen TV. With the current severe winter weather making insurance even more necessary than ever, South Lanarkshire Council had used the prize draw to remind tenants to protect their home contents against unforeseen damage. Nearly 300 new applications were submitted as a result of the promotion, which also saw runners-up prizes of £50 Argos vouchers being won by

Mr T. McMahon, Cambuslang; Mrs E. Jackson, Hamilton; Mrs J. Docherty Cambuslang; and Mr R. Hamilton, Larkhall. Scott Dunsmore, from the council’s Risk Management section, said: “A large number of burst pipes are currently being reported to the council. People are often under the impression that, if a burst pipe occurs, the council or the owner of a neighbouring property where the burst occurs is automatically responsible for all damages that result. That is not the case. “It is not uncommon for tenants to suffer thousands of pounds-worth of damage and not have any cover for their losses. “For that reason, I would really urge anyone who does not currently have contents insurance to take out the

cover.” Councillor Eileen Logan, chair of Finance and IT Resources, who drew the winning names, added: “For council tenants, buildings insurance is automatically supplied through the terms of the tenancy, but this does not cover contents. With this in mind, we have arranged a scheme with Royal & Sun Alliance for our tenants. “The council’s scheme provides a wide range of covers and it is affordable, with the standard policy offering a minimum of £8000-worth of cover from only 66p a week. Tenants can even pay for the cover along with their rent.” Further details of the council’s Home Contents Insurance, including full terms and conditions, are available from local Housing Offices.

LOOK OUT FOR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS

esidents of South Lanarkshire have been asked to be vigilant and report their concerns if they believe a vulnerable adult is being harmed, just as they would report concerns over child abuse. Commenting on the South Lanarkshire Adult Protection Committee’s first report to Scottish Ministers, independent chair Jim Cameron said: “We need people to be aware of the need to protect adults at risk of harm and to be confident that inquiries will be made if they alert social work that there could be a problem. Although there was a national campaign late last year, I feel that people are still not sufficiently aware of this legislation and the fact that there are now systems in place to protect vulnerable people.” Legislation introduced two years ago gives local authorities powers to investigate situations where people who are unable to safeguard their own interests, including those with learning disabilities, mental health problems or dementia, are being subjected to abuse or harming themselves. “We know from cases dealt with over the past year that with the vulnerable person’s consent, steps can be taken to make their lives much safer and happier” said Jim Cameron. The adult protection legislation aims to protect

adults at risk from a wide range of harm – from financial abuse where they are being deprived of their income to physical, emotional or sexual abuse. If necessary, the council can apply to the courts for legal orders to assess or remove someone or ban a suspected perpetrator from a vulnerable person’s home. However experience shows that most cases have been resolved without any court action. Every area in Scotland now has an Adult Protection Committee, chaired by an independent person, with representatives from the Police, NHS, Care Commission and Mental Welfare Commission as well as the voluntary sector. As part of its duties, the Adult Protection Committee must report every two years to Scottish Ministers. Jim Cameron said: “Over the past year, the Committee and its sub groups have been making sure we have the right practices and procedures in place across the agencies in South Lanarkshire to ensure this important legislation works well. More than 2200 employees in police, fire, the council and health have received training to raise their awareness of the Act and their role in protecting adults at risk of harm. We have also developed good ways to capture the statistical and management information that will be needed to identify issues and trends and enable us to compare

Winning smiles: Anne Wilson (2nd left) receives her prize from Councillor Eileen Logan (right), watched by finance adviser Scott Dunsmore and Kylie McAllister, who administers the council’s Contents Insurance Scheme.

Jim Cameron

what’s happening in different areas. “I have been very impressed with the professional competence and commitment of all the staff involved during the past year, and believe we now have good procedures and structures in place to carry out the Committee’s role effectively. “Protecting adults at risk of harm is a very complex area not least because unlike child protection, an adult protection investigation depends on the adult involved giving their consent. But where inquiries are handled well, they can make an enormous difference to a person’s quality of life and prevent a great deal of misery.” Over the next year, the Committee will be turning its attention to five key themes:

:mVb^c^c\ i]Z eViiZgc d[ referrals and looking at how these are dealt with in practice :chjg^c\ ZbeadnZZh VgZ aware of how and when to involve independent advocacy workers ;^cY^c\ Z[[ZXi^kZ lVnh id involve service users so that their insight and experience is used to develop best practice :chjg^c\ i]Vi i]Z igV^c^c\ needs for employees in all the agencies are kept under review and that training is extended to the voluntary and independent sector >cXgZVh^c\ VlVgZcZhh of adult protection among the general public, carers, families and vulnerable people themselves. If you would like an electronic or printed copy of the first Biennial Report of South Lanarkshire Adult Protection Committee, phone the Adult Protection Committee on 01698 452844. It will also be available on the council website. If you are concerned that a vulnerable adult is being harmed, call social work on 0303 123 1008. In emergencies outside office hours, you can call the police, or contact the Emergency Social Work service on 0800 678 3282.

Proposed Credit Union and Post Office Link R

MP Tom with Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of the Association of British Credit Unions.

utherglen and Hamilton West MP Tom Greatrex has given his backing to an innovative scheme to make credit union services available at every Post Office counter across the country. At an event in Parliament hosted jointly by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Credit Unions and the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL), Tom pledged to support the proposed link-up. Tom Greatrex MP said: “Credit unions provide an important service in our community and help people manage their finances and providing access services on fair terms. I know from my recent visit to the Blantyre and South Lanarkshire Credit Union just how important a role they can play in people’s lives. Similarly, the Post Office provides many valued and trusted services in our communities – including to many on a low-income such as those on benefits or the state pension. Making credit union services available through the Post Office would cost relatively little whilst

giving everyone access to fair financial services and helping to secure the future of the local subpost office. I am backing the plan to put credit union services in the Post Office.” Mark Lyonette, ABCUL Chief Executive, said of the plan: “Credit unions have been transformed over the last decade tripling membership and more than quadrupling their assets. Nowadays they provide a very familiar service including current accounts, cash ISAs, Child Trust Funds, insurance and even mortgages as well as the traditional savings and loans services. One of the key challenges now is to scale-up in order that credit unions are accessible to many millions of people. Without a branch network this is very difficult to achieve and whilst credit unions have the services, the Post Office has the network. Our proposal would see credit unions become visible and accessible on almost every high street whilst creating welcome new income for the Post Office.”

Kwik Fit Insurance Staff help fund children’s library S

taff at Kwik Fit Insurance, based in Uddingston, have donated £500 to create a new quiet reading corner for the pupils of Caledonia Primary, Baillieston. The reading area, which has been situated in the Infant Department, will be a vital tool for teachers in helping develop the reading skills of pupils. The funding has helped provide comfy children’s furnishings, carpeting, book storage and shelving units as well as a selection of books. The donation follows a similar partnership between the insurance intermediary and Caledonia Primary in 2008 when the school used funds donated to purchase an indoor play area. Alison Vesey, a teacher in the Infant Department of Caledonia Primary said: “We are trying very hard to encourage a love of books amongst our youngest pupils. The creation of

this relaxing and safe environment is the perfect setting for us to do this and we are very grateful to Kwik Fit Insurance for funding our reading corner. Their willingness to help different organisations in the community is admirable and we are delighted to be one of those which has benefited.” Brendan Devine, Group Managing Director of Kwik Fit Financial Services, said: “We are proud to again assist Caledonia Primary and the creation of the new reading corner is a great asset to the school. Everyone knows the importance of developing reading skills of young children and anything we can do to help make this easier at the school is a positive thing.” Staff are now making plans to hold a book drive in January which will increase the number of reading materials available to the pupils in the new reading corner.

Volunteer Recruitment Event

Open day 27th January 2011 6.30 pm to 9 pm

We are looking for people 3 years or more in recovery from alcohol or drugs problems. We are developing a peer support network for people recovering from addiction If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this please come along to find out more WHERE:

Liber8 (Lanarkshire) Ltd, 1-3 Station Road, Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, G72 9AA or Call LaRC Office on:

01698 892906

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14th - 27th January 2011

Order your

prospectus 01698 23 24 25

or apply online www.motherwell.co.uk

Board of Management of Motherwell College: Registered Charity Number SC021206

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14th - 27th January 2011

Police Update

Recent Police incidents in our area BELLSHILL

MOTHERWELL AREA

Robbery

Theft

24 year old female was robbed as she walked in Viewpark about 11:10 on the evening of Sunday the 2nd January. The female had just got off a bus on Laburnum Rd near to Ross Drive when she was approached by two males described as 19-20 years old, slim, one wearing a black jacket with an orange square on the shoulder and dark tracksuit bottoms and the other with a spotty complexion and also wearing dark clothing. The males snatched the females handbag and made off into the wooded area near to Ross Drive. The bag contained a quantity of money and bank cards.

Robbery at Ladbrooks Bookmakers, Hamilton Road Bellshill bout 2040 hours on Wednesday 5 January two armed males entered the Bookmakers premises - Ladbrookes 149 Hamilton Road (the one next to the Orb Public House) and threatened the two staff members that were preparing for closing up. The males made off with a three figure sum of money. The males were casually dressed in dark clothing and had their faces covered. It is thought as the exited the premises they may have made there way onto Liberty Road. Police are requesting any one with any information into this robbery or anyone who was in the vicinity of the premises at the time who thinks that they remember seeing anything suspicious at all to contact Bellshill CID.

Other point of note is the Coachmans Tavern - Hamilton Road Bellshill who had their Licence suspended on Friday 7 January for a period of 7 days following a hearing by North Lanarkshire Council Licensing Board. The licensing Board members heard a report presented by Strathclyde Police informing them that on two occasions in 2010 officers found people within the bar drinking alcohol out with permitted licensing hours. The first occasion was on Sunday 10 October 2010 at about 0200 hours and the second occasion was on Monday 22 November at about 0020 hours. The premises licence holder, Mr Edward Coakley was present during the hearing. The matter relating to both offences has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal at Hamilton.

Suicide

olice got a call at 0835 hours on the 6th of January from a person waking their dog. They discovered a 41 year old female hanging from the goal post at the football field near to Juniper Road, Viewpark. Police attended and cut the women down but on the arrival of the paramedics it was discovered that she was dead. The woman has been identified as residing in the Coatbridge area. She had been staying at friends who reside in Viewpark. There are no suspicious circumstances and police

COMMITTED: AT: 1100 ON: 02/01/11 LOCUS: CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 231 BRANDON STREET, MOTHERWELL bout 1015hrs on Sunday 2nd January 2011 the congregation attended at the EU Congregational Church, Brandon Street, Motherwell to attend the Sunday service. The service finished at approximately 1100hrs. At this time one male who was sitting about four or five seats from the front of the church. left his seat and walked passed the altar. He then stopped and turned round and looked back to where he was sitting. He then walked back to his seat. He then again left his seat and walked towards the middle of the altar then turned around and walked towards the exit of the church. The treasurer noticed that monies that were previously in the collection plates had been removed. This was later reported to the Police who are now leading an investigation to identify the male described.

Serious Assault

COMMITTED: AT: 0020 ON: 01/01/11 LOCUS: NEAR TO ROBERT STREET, DRYBURGH ROAD, WISHAW METHOD: Punch complainer to the face thereafter strike him to the back using a weapon to his serious hurt. bout the time and date stated the victim was celebrating the New Year at the rear parking area of the Anvil block flats on Main Street, Wishaw setting off several fireworks and Chinese lanterns. This area is situated to the rear of the car parking area of the Anvil black which is surrounded by a white

are not looking for any other person in connection to her death. A post-mortem has been undertaken and a report has been forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal. Unfortunately there have been another couple of deaths over the last few days which have both been by hanging:About 2020 hours on Friday 7 January police were called to the house of a 17 year old male who stayed with his family in Liberty Road Bellshill. The male was found hanging within the house and despite being taken by paramedics to the hospital he was pronounced dead on arrival. There are no suspicious

metal fence which has access via a stairway. After being at this location for approximately ten minutes and on leaving they overheard a voice coming from the Anvil block and an unknown person threw a bottle in the direction of the complainer and witnesses. This bottle smashed nearby and the group then made their way onto Robert Street and headed towards Dryburgh Road. As the group approached the junction of Robert Street with Dryburgh Road they became aware of two males behind them. At this time an argument ensued whereby the male with the white jumper, began shouting and assaulted the victim. During this struggle the complainer was punched once to the face and he was thereafter struck by a weapon once to the back. The aggressor and his associate then ran from the scene of Robert Street and out of sight. One of the group then found Police Officers on foot patrol nearby and they administered first aid, arranged an ambulance and searched the area.

Vandalism

COMMITTED: BETWEEN: 2100 ON: 01/01/11 AND: 0945 ON: 02/01/11 LOCUS: LORNE DRIVE, MOTHERWELL METHOD: SMASH 3 CAR WINDOWS INVOLVED VEHICLES: Black Mercedes Black Range Rover

Vandalism

COMMITTED: BETWEEN: 1830 ON: 31/12/10 AND: 2145 ON: 31/12/10 LOCUS: ROADWAY LOGANS ROAD, MOTHERWELL METHOD: Use unknown instrument to scratch side of motor vehicle.

The complainer parked her vehicle at the locus at the first time and date stated. At the second time and date stated the complainer went back outside and discovered the full Side of her vehicle had been scored with an unknown instrument.

Vandalism

COMMITTED: AT: 2058 ON: 01/01/11 LOCUS: WINGATE STREET, WISHAW t the time stated, the police witnesses were on duty in uniform, dealing with a serious incident. As such, police witnesses had parked the marked police vehicle and were within a nearby building. The police Witnesses did not hear any noises nor see the person responsible from within the house but, upon exiting the house, they noted the front windscreen had been cracked, with an indentation at the driver's side. A review of the CCTV showed the male, who had apparently jumped on to the car and on the windscreen, cracking and damaging same. He had apparently used his mobile phone to view himself committing the crime. The culprit then made off and was last seen in the Craigneuk area.

Theft

COMMITTED: BETWEEN: 1830 ON: 29/12/10 AND: 1000 ON: 30/12/10 LOCUS: EMPIRE WAY, MOTHERWELL t first time and date stated, the complainer returned home and noted the Christmas wreath was attached to her front door, all in order. At second time and date stated, the complainer discovered the wreath missing and informed the local community Police Officer who was walking nearby.

circumstances and police are not looking for any other person in connection to his death. A post-mortem has been arranged and a report has been forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal. In a similar incident police were called to a house in Aberlour Place, Carfin at about 2030 hours on Sunday 9 January. Neighbours reported finding their 39 year old neighbour (female) hanging within the house. Police attended a short time later. There were found to be no suspicious circumstances and there is no other person being sought in connection with the death. A report has been sent to the

Theft From A Motor Vehicle

COMMITTED: AT: 0200 ON: 30/12/10 LOCUS: CAR PARK OF HOLIDAY, HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, STRATHCLYDE COUNTRY PARK, HAMILTON ROAD, MOTHERWELL, ML13RB bout 0200 hours on Thursday 30.12.10, a staff member observed three males who he thought looked suspicious running from the Holiday Inn car park across a small grass verge and placing items into a motor vehicle. The witness observed them to then drive off out of Strathclyde Park. The witness then made his way towards where they had been seen; however within approximately one minute the three males returned again in the same motor vehicle, parked the vehicle on the footpath and again made their way towards a silver mini parked within the car park. The suspects vehicle was a dark coloured estate car. The three males removed wheels from the mini before throwing them into the back of their own vehicle and drove off at speed.

Theft by forcing entry to a motor vehicle

COMMITTED: BETWEEN: 1900 ON: 28/12/10 AND: 1945 ON: 28/12/10 LOCUS: CAR PARK AT, WISHAW GENERAL HOSPITAL 2008 Volvo was broken into with the Sat Nav system stolen.

Procurator Fiscal and a post-mortem will be arranged. Chief Inspector Angus McPhail, Area Commander at Bellshill Police Office, said "All three deaths are particularly tragic and my sympathies go out to the respective family and friends of those concerned. It is quite unique to have three similar deaths over such a short time period. There is nothing suspicious surrounding the circumstances of any of the deaths and as is normal in these instances post-mortems take place to determine the exact course of death. Each death has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bellshill Police Office on 01698 202400, Motherwell Police Office on 01698 483000 or alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111

“I am a 21 year old female from Uddingston, and recently passed my test. I was running late to meet my friend Mary up at the Fort yesterday and called her quickly whilst stopped at a red light to tell her I would be running late. However, the call did not connect and the lights turned green so I hung up. However, the Police were nearby and pulled me over. I panicked and did not know what to say. I know using your mobile phone while driving is wrong, but the car was stationary and I hung up as soon as the lights turned green. What are my legal rights? Please help me”.

icholas

cullion

Solicitors & Notaries

Lanarkshire’s Leading Law Firm Do you have a legal question you would like answered in this column?

Email your query to the address below and we could publish your question here.

www.scullion-law.co.uk enquiries@scullion-law.co.uk

The Law relating to the use of mobile telephones while driving provides that it is an offence to drive “whilst using a hand held mobile phone”. The important issue here is first of all whether you are deemed to be driving while you are stationary and secondly, whether you were “using” a mobile phone”. In answer to the first point, although the vehicle was not moving at the time, you were in the course of driving having been in charge of the vehicle and expecting to move the vehicle when signalled to do so and therefore in terms of the law you would have been deemed to have been driving. In answer to the second point, the law provides that “use“ of a mobile phone is where it is held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any interactive function. Therefore, although there may be an argument that as you terminated the call prior to the recipitant accepting it that you did not “make a call”, it is most likely that the law would be interpreted in such a way that by pressing the keys on your telephone and attempting to make a call would mean that you were guilty of the offence. The penalty for such an offence carries the endorsement of 3 penalty points and a fine.

Don’t forget to ‘switchover’

ut a note in your television planner to make the ‘switchover’ as 2011 heralds the biggest change in television broadcasting in recent years – digital switchover. “North Lanarkshire is set to switchover in 2011 and we want to remind our residents about this and tell them how they can make the change,” explained Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of Housing and Social Work. “When the old analogue signal is switched off, you may need to convert or upgrade your TV equipment to receive digital signals, whether through a new aerial, by satellite, cable or broadband. This means that your television may not receive digital signals and you may not get any TV channels in future.” A switchover scheme has been set up by the government to help people over the age of 75, or on

certain benefits to convert one television in their home to the new digital service. If you qualify, you will be contacted nearer the time of the switchover in the Lanarkshire area but if you wish more information or to find out whether you may qualify for this service contact the Digital Switchover Help Scheme on 0800 498 5900 or log on to www. digitaltelevision.gov.uk. To help our tenants we’ve already invested £2m by upgrading communal aerials to receive the new digital signals. Our common aerials are currently used by over 7,000 tenants and residents who are all set to benefit from the upgrade. This investment means more tenants and residents having a choice from the wide range of channels at the touch of a button. The countdown is on…if you’ve not already done so, make the switchover now.

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Scottish Conservatives Push Plans to Save Millions on Absenteeism S

cottish Conservatives have called on the SNP Government to introduce a plan to reduce absenteeism in Scotland. Central Scotland MSP, Margaret Mitchell said:“Absenteeism costs us hundreds of millions of pounds each year and many people rightly question why absenteeism is so much lower in the private sector than in the public sector. It is sensible everything possible is done to manage the problem and with this in mind the Scottish Conservatives have developed a plan which would make significant savings while helping to protect frontline services. In the first instance the Scottish Government should place a new, statutory obligation on all devolved public bodies to provide comparable

data on absences, updated quarterly and published online. Secondly, a new target should be set for sickness absence at the lower end of the private sector average and the best performing public sector equivalent. Finally, there must be a new system of absence management that helps people get back to work as quickly as possible. This would involve asking employees to call a special helpline staffed by health workers, rather than calling their boss. Trials of this scheme have shown remarkable results. If these plans were put in place they would help to substantially reduce absenteeism. Given that a reduction of just one day saves on average £69million a year these measures should have all party support and be into practice as soon as possible.”

MSP PRESSES MINISTER ON PLIGHT OF HOSPITALISED PARKINSON SUFFERERS

ast week, Margaret Mitchell, Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, reaffirmed her commitment and support for those suffering from Parkinson’s, which she asked during a parliamentary Health and Wellbeing question time, what recent involvement the Scottish Executive has had with Parkinson’s UK. Probing further, Margaret asked Shona Robinson, Minister for Public Health and Sport, about Parkinson’s UK’s ‘Get it on Time Scotland’ campaign which aims to ensure that NHS Boards support people with Parkinson's in order for them to get their medication on time, every time, both in hospital and at home. Commenting on the issue Margaret said: ‘I know that Shona Robinson is aware both of the campaign by Parkinsons UK and the petition currently with the parliament’s petition’s committee, but I wanted the Minister to confirm that she recognises the medical, compassionate and economic benefits of ensuring that the strict timing of medicine is adhered to, as this prevents the development of further, more serious medical problems.’ ‘I also asked the Minister what steps have been taken to ensure that NHS Boards in my Central Scotland regional constituency and throughout Scotland are

NP MSP John Wilson has welcomed the news that North Lanarkshire Council and all other 31 Local Authorities throughout Scotland have agreed to retain the Council tax freeze for another year as outlined in the conditions of the Scottish Government’s draft budget for next year. The Scottish Government informed Councils that they must extend the Council Tax freeze for a further year or face deeper cuts to their budgets. Local Authority umbrella group Cosla had already agreed to the offer, but individual councils

CHRISTMAS TREE SURPRISE FOR WOODLANDS NURSERY C

hildren at Woodlands Nursery in Hamilton received a festive surprise this week with the donation of a free Christmas tree from Christina McKelvie MSP. The nursery was one of those recently reprieved from being axed by South Lanarkshire Council. The Scottish Forestry Commission offers Christmas trees to MSPs to donate to local organisations each year. MSP Christina said: "I chose Woodlands Nursery as the destination for my tree this year, after the staff, parents and pupils fought a brave campaign to save it and other nurseries in South Lanarkshire. The Christmas tree is a wee celebration of their successful efforts. It was lovely to see the pleasure that the children got from decorating their tree."

NORTH LANARKSHIRE GETS BIG SLICE OF £168 MILLION SKILLS PACKAGE complying with their equality duties and equality impact assessment obligations when making spending decisions associated with the issue?. ‘I welcome Shona Robison’s response which acknowledged the important issues I raised, and her assurance that all NHS boards had been made aware of the responsibility to ensure correct practice occurs on the wards and that the Executive will continue to make sure this service is delivered. ‘However, the delivery of medication at the right time has been a long-standing problem for those suffering from Parkinson’s and I was disappointed that in her response the minister didn’t answer my question about ensuring the issue was taken seriously by carrying out equality impact assessments which in turn helps to attract funding.’

MSP WELCOMES COUNCIL TAX FREEZE S

14th - 27th January 2011

had to agree to the deal, in which cuts in local authority spending would be limited to 2.6%. Councils which failed to agree to the Scottish Government package on offer faced a 6.4% reduction in budget allocation. The package also includes guarantees on maintaining police and teacher numbers. John Wilson MSP, a member of the Local Government and Communities Committee, said “this is welcome news for hard pressed individuals and families, especially during these tough economic times”

entral Scotland SNP MSP Alex Neil has greeted a £3.3 million skills funding windfall for North Lanarkshire as being “fantastic news for people looking to get back in to work”. North Lanarkshire has received one of the highest shares of the £168 million fund, which was announced by Education Secretary Michael Russell in Glasgow. The STUC, organisations within the third sector, Community Planning Partnerships, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council are topping up £64.6 million of

European Structural Funds to deliver a total investment of £168 million. This funding will deliver employability and training services for the unemployed, the lowest paid and people from deprived areas, ranging from early engagement through to in-work support and skills development. The organisations will all be involved in the delivery of the strategic skills programme which fits with the Scottish Government's Skills Strategy and Economic Recovery Programme.

HIGHLIGHTING HOUSING’S PERFORMANCE I

mprovements in customer satisfaction levels and the time taken to re-let our properties are just some of the highlights included in our yearly housing performance report. Other targets we’re meeting include 95% response rates to complete repairs and 99% of gas maintenance repairs being carried out on time – ensuring the safety of our tenants. This council is also one of Scotland’s top performers collecting our rent with 98% of cash collected in 2009/10. By collecting more rent it allows us to put money back into improving our services and our housing stock. We’ve also a very good track record of collecting outstanding rent arrears. Housing’s annual report also provides information on the performance of a range of its services such as antisocial behaviour, customer care, rent collection, tenant participation, allocations and empty houses, homelessness and housing support, repairs and maintenance and equality and diversity. As well as recording our performance, we’ve also highlighted the changes we’ve made to our service to bring about improvements for tenants and residents. For example, we’ve changed the way we manage our estates and deliver our antisocial behaviour service. These are now delivered locally providing easier access for tenants and residents and provide a more co-ordinated and focussed approach to estate

management and community safety. Investment in our services continues to grow with priorities being identified by our tenants. We’ve invested over £53m on works to upgrade our tenants’ homes. This figure includes an additional £10m of investment to help support the local construction industry. Works carried out include new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, windows, re-wiring, roofing and render as well as works to our multi-storey flats including replacement of floor coverings and fire safety works. “North Lanarkshire Council is the largest local authority landlord in Scotland, responsible for over 36,000 properties,” explained Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of Housing and Social Work. “This report outlines housing’s performance over the last year and highlights our successes and achievements, together with identifying areas where improvements should be made. Our report also includes a feedback questionnaire for people to give us their views on their housing service. “And our tenants’ views help shape the services we deliver to ensure we’re meeting their needs and providing a high standard of housing service.” Copies of the Annual Performance Report 2009/2010 are available within our First Stop Shops, local housing offices and from our website www. northlanarkshire.gov.uk.

Mr Neil said: “This funding is fantastic news for people looking to get back into work or improve their employment chances, particularly for young people. It also means that people in low paid jobs can improve their skills to climb the job ladder. “Even though North Lanarkshire has 6% of the population covered by this funding, we have received more than 10% of the local grant allocation. This level of funding is more than deserved, however, as the North Lanarkshire area has been disproportionately hit

by the recession, with levels of unemployment rising faster in areas here than elsewhere in the country. “The Scottish Government is and will continue to support jobs and economic growth where its powers allow but the Westminster cuts, planned by Labour implemented by the ToryLiberal coalition, restrict our ability to do that. “No matter what false picture Labour tries to paint, North Lanarkshire gets more than its fair share of funding from the Scottish Government.”

NEIL MAKES A PITCH FOR LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUBS Sportscotland and the Big Lottery keen to invest

entral Scotland MSP Alex Neil has been making a strong pitch to various sports organisations for them to invest in local football clubs. Working with numerous local clubs covering the Shotts and Allanton area in particular Mr Neil says that both Sportscotland and the Big Lottery are keen to help. He has also spoken to Cashbook for Communities organisers to ask them for help too. Mr Neil is chairing a group of local clubs who are working together to secure major investment in the upgrading of pitches and facilities. These clubs include Springhill AFC, Dykehead FC, Allanton FC, Shotts Thistle and Shotts Vics Under 16's. Already representatives of these clubs, along with Mr Neil, have met with the Director of the Big Lottery in Scotland and the Chief Executive and Operations Director of Sportscotland. As a result of these meetings a detailed study is now being made of the state of the pitches and facilities available to these clubs. This study will identify what work needs to be done and how much it will cost. The clubs, along with North Lanarkshire Council, will then be able to apply for the funding needed to bring both the pitches and the facilities up to a 21st

century standard. The study should be completed within two months or so and Mr Neil is optimistic that the first wave of investment in local football grounds will happen later this year. Mr Neil said he was confident that Sportscotland, the Big Lottery and Cashback for Communities are all keen to provide the investment needed to allow these clubs to play locally without having to travel to other football grounds elsewhere to get a decent game. He added: "It is ridiculous in this day and age that these clubs can't host games of a high standard because the pitches aren't up to scratch and in many cases the facilities for changing and showers simply don't exist. The people who run these clubs are doing a first class job. They are giving these youngsters the chance to play football and demonstrate their skills. They are also providing an outlet for their energies. It's no secret when young people get the facilities they need to play football the level of anti-social behaviour drops dramatically. That is why securing this investment in these clubs' pitches and facilities is so vital to the whole community, not just the young people themselves."

14th - 27th January 2011

2011:

YOUR YEAR TO L

Welcome to 2011 – the start of the year. We all have, no doubt made some new year’s reso

Detox WEEK

ather than following an extreme detox plan that limits just about every food except fruit and veg while at the same time getting you to down a nasty ‘detox’ drink every day, this plan is safer and more sensible and shouldn’t leave you short on nutrients if you follow it for just one week.

FejWje[i ¸ all types 8hemd h_Y[ WdZ h_Y[ deeZb[i Ho[ YhWYa[hi" h_Y[ YWa[i WdZ eWjYWa[i <h[i^ Äi^ ¸ eat any fresh fish including cod, plaice, mackerel, salmon, lobster, crab, trout, haddock, tuna, prawns, Dover sole, red mullet, halibut, lemon sole, monkfish, swordfish etc. Canned fish in water is suitable too eg salmon or tuna KdiWbj[Z dkji ¸ eat any including Brazil, peanuts, almonds, cashew, hazel nuts, macadamia, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio, walnuts etc KdiWbj[Z i[[Zi ¸ eat any including sunflower and pumpkin FbW_d fefYehd ¸ without sugar or salt B_l[ dWjkhWb oe]^khj ;njhW l_h]_d eb_l[ e_b WdZ XWbiWc_Y l_d[]Wh =Whb_Y" ]_d][h WdZ \h[i^ ^[hXi =hekdZ XbWYa f[ff[h >ed[o MWj[h ¸ at least 2 litres a day. Tap or mineral water is fine. >[hXWb eh \hk_j j[Wi

Foods to avoid during your detox

Foods to include in the plan Your plan can include: <hk_j ¸ your plan can include any fruit including fresh, frozen, dried or canned in natural fruit juice. This includes apples, bananas, pears, oranges,

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grapefruit, satsumas, sultanas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, nectarines, peaches, melons, star fruit etc <hk_j `k_Y[ ¸ either make homemade fruit juices or smoothies from fresh fruit, or drink ready-made juices. Make sure ready-made juices are labelled as being ‘pure’ or ‘unsweetened’. L[][jWXb[i ¸ eat any vegetables including fresh, frozen or canned in water (without salt added). This includes carrots, onions, turnip, swede, sprouts, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers, leeks, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, salad, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions etc 8[Wdi WdZ b[dj_bi ¸ eat any beans, including those that have been dried or canned in water. This includes red kidney, haricot, cannellini, butter, black eye, pinto, red lentils, green lentils and brown lentils Je\k WdZ Gkehd EWji ¸ sprinkle oats over fresh fruit or use to make porridge, sweetened with honey and fresh fruit

8WdWdW fehh_Z][ Porridge made with water and topped with natural yoghurt, banana, raisins and sweetened with honey. <hk_j iWbWZ m_j^ oe]^khj WdZ eWji Fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt and a sprinkling of oats. <h[i^ \hk_j iceej^_[ Fruit smoothie made from fresh fruit, natural yoghurt and honey to sweeten if needed. Ck[ib_ WdZ oe]^khj Homemade muesli made from oats, seeds, nuts and dried fruit served with natural yoghurt. <h[i^ \hk_j WdZ oe]^khj Fresh fruit and a pot of natural yoghurt sweetened with honey.

:[jen FbWd BkdY^[i

Well here at The HUB, our Creative Dir

To assist her with her goal of increasing her fitness, we thought we would publish some rather helpful tips to help in her quest. In the current hustle and bustle environment that we live in, many of us do find it very difficult to start exercising. Even if you look at the changing times, the level of activity that we do has fallen considerably to that of our ancestors. For example, we all pretty much own cars and rely on them heavily to get around and the computer generation has had an impact too – we all spend a lot of

time in front of them at work. When we get home, after we have seen to the kids, ate dinner and dealt with any other household chores, we think nothing of spending the rest evening sitting or even lying down in front of the TV. According to the BBC, many people’s views on sport and exercise were formed during school PE lessons – endless laps of a muddy field, or standing around shivering in T-shirt and shorts, hoping the ball didn’t come near you. Most of us have

seen film of people running a marathon who look ready to keel over. Not surprising then that many people regard exercise as something miserable that has to be very, very hard to do you any good. It doesn’t. Here are some tips to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

At Work:

Try taking the stairs instead of the lift (walk up and not down!) At lunch go for a walk – just a simple 5 minute walk will make a difference If you can, leave the car at home and walk or cycle to work If you take the train or bus, try getting on 1 stop early and walking from there.

If you have Children: Join in with the kids in what they are doing Take them to the park and enjoy it together If they go swimming or play sports, why not join them.

At Home

Walk to the local shop If you can afford to, get some exercise equipment like a treadmill or exercise bike – use them whilst watching tv. Use your stairs to help you exercise. Now that we have you

14th - 27th January 2011

LOOK GOOD AND FEEL GREAT

olutions – what are they? Lose weight? Get a new job? Stop smoking? Give up Yum Yums?

rector decided that hers was to get ﬁt.

L[][jWXb[ iekf WdZ eWjYWa[i Large bowl of vegetable or lentil soup (either homemade or supermarket ‘fresh’) with oatcakes. JkdW WdZ im[[jYehd `WYa[j fejWje WdZ iWbWZ Jacket potato topped with tuna (canned in water) mixed with sweetcorn and natural yoghurt and served with salad. C[Z_j[hhWd[Wd iWbWZ m_j^ h_Y[ YWa[i Rice cakes served with rocket, avocado, tomatoes, fresh basil and black pepper. Plus a handful of unsalted nuts. =kWYWceb[ m_j^ YhkZ_j i Homemade guacamole made from avocado, lemon juice, fresh chilli, tomatoe and garlic served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes. JpWjp_a_ m_j^ YhkZ_j i Homemade tzatziki made from natural yoghurt, garlic, cucumber and lemon juice served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes. 7leYWZe WdZ fhWmd iWbWZ Fresh avocado served with prawns, salad,

doing some exercise, to what degree is best for you? Strenuous, moderate or mild? The intensity at which you workout can be described as strenuous, moderate or mild. What constitutes a strenuous, moderate or mild exercise workload for you will depend on your current fitness. If you’re an Olympic 10,000m runner, jogging one mile in nine minutes would count as mild activity. For most people, though, it would be strenuous, if not impossible. Experts recommend that for purposes of general health, mild to moderate levels of physical activity are all that’s required. For many of us, this means brisk or purposeful walking, or the equivalent level of effort in another activity. It’s a pace at which you feel you’re making good progress while still being able to hold a conversation. As a rule of thumb, exercise of moderate intensity will make you a little warm or sweaty, and slightly out of

breath, but no more than that.

Recommended activity levels

According to the government, only 37 per cent of men and 24 per cent of women take enough exercise to get any benefit from it. To avoid obesity, heart disease and other life-limiting conditions, the chief medical officer (the government’s top doctor) recommends the following: 6Yjaih h]djaY Yd V minimum of 30 minutes moderate-intensity physical activity, five days a week. Ndj Ydc¼i ]VkZ id Yd the whole 30 minutes in dcZ \d# Ndjg ]Va["]djg could be made up of three ten-minute bursts of activity spread through the day, if you prefer. I]Z VXi^k^in XVc WZ V ‘lifestyle activity’ (in other words, walking to the shops or taking the dog out) or structured exercise or sport, or a combination of these.

But it does need to be of at least moderate intensity. EZdeaZ l]d VgZ Vi heZX^ÃX risk from obesity, or who need to manage their weight because of a medical condition, need 45-60 minutes of exercise at least five times a week.

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Older people

Older people need to keep active so these recommendations also apply

balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. @WYa[j fejWje m_j^ ]h_bb[Z YeZ Grilled cod fillet served with jacket potatoes and lightly steamed vegetables.

:[jen FbWd :_dd[hi 9^_d[i[ l[][jWXb[ ij_h \ho Stir fry a selection of vegetables such as bok choi, spring onions, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and beansprouts in a little olive oil with garlic and ginger. Serve with brown rice. 8Wa[Z iWbced m_j^ `WYa[j fejWje Bake a salmon fillet and serve with a jacket potato and steamed vegetables.

to older adults, assuming they’re healthy and mobile enough to manage them. In fact, older people should take particular care to retain their mobility through daily activity. Specific activities to improve strength, coordination and balance are particularly beneficial for older people. LVgb je VcY stretch. Again, this is more important the longer and harder your planned exercise is, but it’s a good habit to get into if you want to prevent injuries, such as pulled muscles. The bottom line is that any physical activity, no matter how little, is better than none.

JkdW WdZ fhWmdi m_j^ deeZb[i Gently fry a selection of vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, peppers, courgette and leek in a little olive oil. When lightly browned, add a handful of prawns. Cook for a few minutes, then add canned tomatoes, tomato puree, black pepper and tuna canned in water. Bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice noodles. Im[[j WdZ iekh ij_h \ho m_j^ h_Y[ Gently fry a selection of chopped vegetables such as onions, peppers, baby sweetcorn and mushrooms. Add canned pineapple (in fruit juice), canned tomatoes, tomato purée, white wine vinegar and honey. Bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce has thickened. Serve with brown rice. FejWje WdZ X[Wd YWii[heb[ Gently fry a selection of typical casserole vegetables such as onion, carrots and parsnip in a little olive oil with garlic. When browned, add diced potato and fry for a few minutes. Add fresh vegetable stock, black pepper and your favourite beans. Bring to the boil and simmer until the casserole thickens.

<h[i^ \hk_j eh \h[i^ \hk_j iWbWZ DWjkhWb oe]^khj c_n[Z m_j^ ^ed[o FbW_d fefYehd >WdZ\kb e\ kdiWbj[Z dkji eh i[[Zi

thehubpaper.com

14th - 27th January 2011

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thehubpaper.com

14th - 27th January 2011

The UK’s most visited estate agency website*

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BEST WISHES FOR 2011! M y name is Marc McLaughlin and I am your local Estate Agent for the Uddingston and Bothwell area. The Your Move McLaughlin team deal with residential property Sales and Lettings. So if you are thinking about buying, selling or renting property in the area please feel free to give us a call. With 2010 ﬁrmly behind us we are looking forward to this year with cautious optimism. From a property perspective our local market was stable enough to sustain a growing movement in the market throughout the year. All of the indications from the market dynamics point towards a slow recovery back towards more consistent turnaround times for property sales. Great news. Some economists are predicting a 2% drop in property values this year as the slow

growth stabilises against public sector cuts. All in all hopefully still fairly stable and nothing like the slump of 2008! We’ve had a growing pent up demand of “movers” since 2008 so let’s see if they decide to make their move in 2011. Here’s hoping. My door is open, my diary is yours. I await your instruction to Sell of Let your property with a smile on my face backed up by a superb team. Please, give me a call!

• marc.mclaughlin@your-move.co.uk • Cambuslang

O/O £79,500

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O/O £75,000

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* Source Hitwise June 09

thehubpaper.com

14th - 27th January 2011

Business and Money John Gillespie, Consultant at Peninsula takes a look dismissals T

his article describes problems associated with ensuring a dismissal is fair and how to avoid them to ensure red tape supports you rather than strangles you. To bring someone’s employment to an end, with the associated costs and problems for both employee and employer, is not a decision to be taken lightly. Employees have rights. (Employers have obligations!). As described in the master class on Job Advertising there are various claims which can be made to the Employment Tribunal against an organisation before the individual has even been interviewed, let alone employed. Most employers are aware of the right to claim unfair dismissal after one year’s service. There are two further rights to which an employee becomes entitled at that time and those are the right to written reasons for dismissal and the right to parental leave. (After two years’ service there is the right to a redundancy payment). How many employers are aware that there are at least 95 (yes ninety five!) rights, which an employee can exercise, which could result in the employer being taken to Tribunal, which they acquire between the period when an offer of employment is accepted and before the completion of one year’s service? Such rights include the right to a written statement of main terms (obvious?); an itemised pay slip (obvious?); the National Minimum Wage (obvious?), paid time off for study or training for young people (not so obvious?); how about time off for ante-natal care (paid? how much?) – not so obvious?; the right to be accompanied at a disciplinary or grievance hearing by their trade union representative, even if you do not

recognise the union (not so obvious?) and what about the right to time off to be a pension fund trustee? None of the foregoing requires a year’s service before a Tribunal claim can be brought and frighteningly, virtually none of them are capped or limited. What would an award of £1.4 million do to your bottom line? Ignorance of the law might be bliss – but it is not a defence. Employers need to be aware of the law. By far the majority of cases are lost at Tribunal because of failure to follow a fair procedure to sack the individual, not because the individual did not deserve sacking! Procedure is all. It is interesting to note that larger employers rarely lose on procedural grounds – they have Personnel departments and lawyers. Small employers normally (at least 80%) lose because of failings in procedure. In fact they lose twice as often as they should in relationship to their proportion of employers. It is vital to ensure therefore that all employees are given a statement of main terms, supported by a handbook, to define terms and conditions of employment, especially with regard to disciplinary rules and procedures, and an appeal procedure. Employees must know of their rights and obligations under these procedures and an employer will need to prove that they do – a signed induction checklist is enormously helpful in this regard. A model fair procedure is defined in the ACAS Code of Practice which of itself is not statute but if you break the Code’s minimum standards it will be enormously difficult to convince a Tribunal that what you did was fair. Tribunals are bound to take into account the size and administrative

• • • recruitment

resources of the employer when considering their decision. Thus someone employing say ten people is not required, or expected, to operate to the same standard as Marks & Spencers. However, all employers are expected to meet a minimum standard and that would encompass, at least, clear notification (in writing) and sufficient detail, sufficiently long before the hearing, to enable the employee to prepare themselves properly. If they wish, they must be allowed to have a fellow employee, or their union representative, accompany them during the hearing. The cause of dissatisfaction should be described and the individual allowed to respond in entirety before being challenged on anything they have said. If there are witnesses they must be brought in to state their evidence and the employee must be allowed to challenge them and their evidence. Ensure you have a witness with you and that they take detailed notes. It is wise not to reach a decision there and then but to think about it at least overnight, particularly if this is the last stage in the procedure following warnings and the individual is now about to be dismissed. The decision should be relayed to the individual, at a re-convened meeting, and confirmed subsequently in writing. Such confirmation, including what would happen if there is a reoccurrence, must contain details of the right to appeal and how to do so. If they should appeal, conduct one. The appeal can take the form of a complete re-hearing or just deal with the issue(s) appealed against. The format is broadly the same as for the original hearing and should follow what is laid down in your contractual

• • • recruitment

terms. A full re-hearing does have the virtue, if carried out properly, of remedying any defects in the original disciplinary hearing which deals with the appeal or just the issues raised. Normally Tribunals, when reaching a decision, will take cognisance of statute, such as the right to be accompanied (law laid down by Parliament); contract law (i.e. what was agreed between the parties) and best practice before reaching their decision as to whether it was fair or not. Much of “best practice” can be thought of as being governed by the various ACAS Codes of Practice. Fairness is a wonderful term. It does however vary in perception depending on whether you are buying or selling! Someone famous once said, “If you want justice look to God – here on Earth we only have the law”! Consequently, although intellectual and legal arguments about innocent until proven guilty, or vice versa, are all very interesting, the reality is when you are in Tribunal fighting for your life, here and now is what is important, and here and now too late! Tribunals are won in the workplace, not in the Tribunal room, by having clear rules and procedures, known to, and understood, by everyone. The rules and procedures must be enforced continuously and without exception (unless it can be justified for an objective reason). Facing a Tribunal where you have not even issued contract of main terms, where rules are not published or known and no form of fair or consistent procedure has been followed, is a recipe for disaster! Whilst it does take time, effort and money, to set up everything properly, it does result in a more controllable and controlled workforce

• • • recruitment

;G6C8=>H: DEEDGIJC>I>:H

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and a sound platform for the defence at Tribunal. When dealing with potentially gross misconduct issues, after any necessary immediate investigation the individual must be suspended from working. Since gross misconduct offences normally result in summary termination of employment, if guilty, it is obviously prudent to ensure all stages of the procedure are carried out properly and fairly. No second chance is allowed! Dismissal for gross misconduct should be a very rare occurrence – most employees do not set out to get themselves sacked. Even dismissal, following warnings, should be relatively rare since, if operated properly, the disciplinary procedure should have pointed out the rules and standards required and resulted in them being followed. Do not dismiss lightly – and certainly not in temper – else it will cost you dearly! Peninsula clients have the advantage

that they can (and should!) take advice at every stage of the procedure so that advice can be given, pit falls avoided and letters drafted, as appropriate, at every stage. Finally, occasionally “life gets to you” and employees are invited to leave the premises, poste haste, in an impossible manner and clearly unfairly by any judgement. (It isn’t unheard of for an employee to invite the employer to carry out a clearly physically impossible act with their job!). Such dismissals (referred to as ‘hasty words dismissals/resignations’ in the trade) are capable of being rescued providing only that you remedy the defect immediately. The only six potentially fair reasons for dismissal (which, of course you knew!) are: conduct, capability (including qualifications, etc., and health); redundancy (yes, redundancy is a dismissal); a legal prohibition or ban, retirement and, some other substantial reason.

• • • recruitment

:BEADNB:CI DEEDGIJC>I>:H

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14th - 27th January 2011

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whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on guide Playgroup - Monday 12.30-2.30, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9.30 - 11.30. Monday & Friday 12.30 - 2.30 Mini Ninjas - For 4-6 year olds. Monday 6.15-6.45pm & Thursday 6.30-7pm Yamakai Sports Karate - Monday 6.45-8pm & Thursday 7-8pm. Contact Liam Coakley 07771 818184 Arts & Crafts - Tuesday 7-9pm & Wednesday 10amNoon. Dru Yoga - Thursdays. For info call Kay Elder on 07717 054325. Quilting - Wednesday 1-3.30pm. Dance Connection - Wednesday & Staurday. For info call 0141 778 5559 French for children - Starts 26/08. Spanish for children - Starts 24/08. Tel Joanne on 07535016758. Flower Arranging - Every 2nd Wednesday 7.30-9pm. Tae Kwon Do - Tuesday 6.30-7.30pm & Thursday 5.15 - 6.15pm. For info call Brian Locke on 01259 222810 Uddingston Pride - If you are interested in finding out more about the green fingered group who make Uddingston colourful during the summer, call Liz Wilson on 01698 814822 Al-Anon, - Family support & health group. Wed 7.45-9pm Baby Clinic - Monday 1-3pm. Zumba - come along dance and get fit fri.6-6.45pm Creative Writing for Children & Adults - contact centre for details Afternoon Yoga Class - every Thursday afternoon Computer classes available please contact centre for details

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Book Start Rhymetime - Thursday 2-2.30pm. For 0-3 year olds. Come along for stories, songs and fun. Readers Group - One Thursday per month. Please call for details. 8yrs and up. BELLSHILL CULTURAL CENTRE, JOHN ST. BELLSHILL. 01698 346770

www.your-move.co.uk YOUR MOVE is one of the largest estate agency network in the UK today and although its core business is seen as residential property services it also offers mortgage and remortgage services plus value for money protection products for you, your family and your home. In addition, customers can also take advantage of the service offered by the YOUR MOVE Lettings Division.

Member BATD BB ST Ballet, Tap, Disco (Hip hop & street). Viewpark classes available. Please call for more information Ann: 01698 301 605 Annette: 07759 824 488 Motherwell classes every Thursday, Ages 2-6 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Ages 6-10 6:00pm to 7:30pm, Ages 11 and upwards 7:30pm to 9:00pm. For more information contact Ann : 01698 301 605, Annette : 07759 824 488 or E-Mail Annette on weenet@hotmail.co.uk

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Chatter Books - Tuesday (fortnightly) 16th February, 3.30 - 4.30pm. 8-12 year olds. Come along if you like reading and making new friends.

Craigneuk Lifelong Learning Association provides a Mother/Toddler group that runs on a Wednesday morning 9.30 to 11.30am. Please come along and have fun. All welcome. To register, or for further information, please contact Louise on 01698 373401 or pop into the unit at 641a Glasgow Road Craigneuk.

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thehubpaper.com

Have you got any dodgy pictures that you would like to add to our ‘Dodgy picture hall of shame’? Then send them in and the next dodgy picture might be yours in a future issue of the hub for everyone to see! info@thehubpaper.com

Have you seen some dodgy parking this week? As always, we are on the prowl to find lanarkshire’s dodgy parkers but we need your help! Unfortunately, we cannot do this campaign on our own – so please send in your dodgy parking pictures to info@thehubpaper.com. Does one of your colleagues suffer from dodgyparkingitis? If so, take a picture of the evidence and send it to us! Don’t worry, all identities will be protected and vehicle registrations blanked out. This is all in the name of good fun, and in no way are we personally attacking any individual or group.

Across

Crossword

1. Aquatic mammal (5) 4. Striped equine (5) 7. Watered (9) 8. Flows back (4) 10. Tennis stoke (5) 13. Arm bone (5) 14. Disparaging remark (4) 17. Essential (9) 19. Rear part of a ship (5) 20. Smooth fabric (5)

Sodoku

Down 1. Relinquished (6) 2. Atmosphere (3) 3. Boundary of a surface (4) 4. Stringed instrument (6) 5. Confound (7) 6. Desiccated (4) 9. State of equilibrium (7) 11. Bird of prey (6) 12. Implement for writing or drawing (6) 15. Optical device (4) 16. Small snakes (4) 18. Colony insect (3)

DODGY PARKING

14th - 27th January 2011

DODGY PICTURES

REMEMBER!! You can read the HUB online and view ALL our pictures at: www.thehubpaper.com

Q’s Views!

The HUB is pleased to have the infamous ‘Q, from Airdrie’ writing for the Entertainment Pages, to give you all some comic relief. As a regular contributor to the Glasgow Metro newspaper, and a regular in the comedy scene in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Q has given the HUB an exclusive column, which we are sure will have you wanting for more in the next edition of the HUB! CHRISTMAS TV As Coronation Street recovered from the biggest disaster in the history of ITV (apart from the time they gave Ross Kemp a golden handcuffs deal), Eastenders had characters stabbing themselves and threatening to jump off buildings. Which is what I felt like doing when I saw the amount of human misery transmitted on Christmas day. Depressing Christmas TV is now as inevitable as an X Factor winner getting the coveted Christmas Number 1 spot (which, incidentally, may not have happened if more of you had backed my campaign to get Ten Benson's "Black Snow" to the spot). Is it too much to ask our terrestrial TV stations not to show death, misery and chaos on the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ? Mind you, somebody I know got Jethro's comedy DVD for Christmas. So watching Christmas TV actually cheered him up. CHEAPER CAR INSURANCE Being a woman guarantees cheaper car insurance. Indeed, some companies such as Sheila's Wheels deal exclusively in car insurance for women. What exactly is the position if a man has an operation to become a woman, legally registers as a woman, and even changes his name to Gretchen?

Would he be able to get cheaper car insurance? If anyone in the insurance industry could advise me, please do so. Every time I phone up an insurance company and ask these questions, they hang up the phone on me. DRUNKEN EMAILS For years, I have argued the case for fitting phones and computers with breathalysers so as people can't send drunken emails / phone calls and later regret it. Well, the good people at Google have come up with a program that requires the user to solve several mathematical puzzles if they try to log into their emails. That way if they're too drunk to solve the puzzle, the computer will deem them too drunk to send an email. I think this program is a wonderful idea. It would mean jakies could never ever send emails. AND FINALLY... AN EXCLUSIVE I've already written a bit about the doom and gloom of Eastenders, and the mentality of the people who find the characters "believable", but the antics of one such fan merit a special mention. For those of you who watch Eastenders, you'll have seen Ronnie Mitchell giving birth to a new baby boy whilst her other half Jack Branning was out of the country. As soon as the baby was born, Ronnie's sister Roxy Mitchell held up a mobile phone with Jack's name and number clearly displayed on the screen, and allowed him to speak to her via hands free

about their new boy. What followed next in this particular plotline was very dark (even by Eastender's standards)- so dark in fact that I don't wish to discuss it in a family column like Q's Views. It should never have been shown before the watershed in my humble opinion. But one female took greater exception to it than me, and took an even more drastic course of action. After a few drinks she waited for the re-run of Eastenders, re-watched the scene where Roxy held up the phone with Jack's number displayed on it, and then rang it up. By sheer chance the name of the guy on the other end of the phone happened to be Jack too, so what happened next was comedy gold: - "Is that Jack?" - "Yes it is" - "Put that cow on the phone right now, what she did was bang out of order" - "Excuse me?" - "You heard me. Put her on the phone or I'll call the police. I have film footage of what she did, and I'll give it to them unless she comes clean to Alfie and Cat" I don't want to name the woman concerned as I suspect the police will eventually get involved. If you want to know what Ronnie Mitchell did, watch the re-run of Eastenders (unless you're under 16 and don't have your parents’ permission).

Your Stars... Taurus 20 Apr - 20 May

Gemini 21 May - 21 Jun

With unpredictable Uranus and fortunate Jupiter at the end of Pisces and a sluggish Mercury in honest and frank Sagittarius, these will introduce unknown factors that require quick responses and fast action which shouldn’t be a problem in theory. However the trick is to keep in mind that with so much change going on, nothing can be seen through or settled just yet.

For a very long time you have yearned to break the pattern of restriction that has dominated your life. But now, with the revolutionary Uranus and fortunate Jupiter at the end of Pisces and the opportunities arriving thick and fast, you may be unsure what to do. Ignore pressure to commit. Say what you must but with Mercury, your planetary ruler, still a bit sluggish amidst some volatile planetary activity, any longterm agreements are bound to be revised.

Situations require fast thinking and quick action – while a sluggish Mercury suggests you could be bursting to get your message across. The events that accompanied recent eclipse activity is change. The presence of volatile and unpredictable Uranus with fortunate Jupiter at the end of Pisces, indicates that big changes are taking place in your life as well as in others’.

While you would like to mull over the potential sweeping changes in situations signified by recent eclipse activity, time is one thing you do not have. The pace increases over the next few weeks and decisions must be made but there is no guarantee. Act with conviction, but leave yourself room to manoeuvre. This becomes all the more important as an important new chapter in your life and those of close ties gets underway.

The ideal position for making the best of the first few weeks of 2011 is from the sidelines, observing the action and keeping out of the fray. But recent eclipse activity suggests you must make your priorities known soon. With the presence of inventive Uranus with lucky Jupiter at the end of Pisces, the partnership angle of your solar chart, others want to get in on the act, and some just can’t seem to leave you alone.

Libra 23 Sep - 23 Oct

Scorpio 24 Oct - 21 Nov

Sagittarius 22 Nov - 21 Dec

Capricorn 22 Dec - 19 Jan

Aquarius 20 Jan - 18 Feb

Pisces 19 Feb - 20 Mar

Even the best of times can be stressful, as recent weeks have demonstrated. You may be hesitant about what arose but things really are going your way. The road ahead is not a straight one as the next few weeks will show. With Uranus and Jupiter in the area of your solar chart governing your day-to-day affairs and obligations, introducing a cycle of revolutionary changes.

While you’re slogging away, productively, but slogging away nonetheless, it must be touching to be so much in demand although unfortunately you’ve got things to do and important people to see. You’re not really in a frivolous mood, you want to talk turkey and get on with things. Now your friends and associates may be missing you but they’ll just have to wait in line.

Keeping track of the changes going on in your own life will be enough of a challenge at the moment let alone what is taking place around you. But since these changes are key to plans, it would be wise to keep an eagle eye on pivotal situations. Pay close attention to everything from money matters to the use of your time and ideas.

With Jupiter and Uranus at the end of Pisces, the area of your solar chart related to what you value in your life, this volatile brew can be as unpredictable as it is creative. Last week’s unsettling eclipse accentuated your own insecurities and certain issues related to work or obligations. The combination of the Sun, Pluto and in Capricorn indicates that, on one hand hasty words and deeds could confuse matters while on the other hand there is pressure for fast action.

With Jupiter and Uranus at the end of Pisces, your Sun sign, it’s a case of one door closing and another one opening, and soon will begin another chapter of dramatic growth and self-awareness. Events may make it seem otherwise however because of the confusing fall out from last week’s unsettling eclipse. It’s still early days yet so stay loose and enjoy the process of reinventing your life.

Aries Mar 20 - Apr 20

Once you are able to set aside the notion that all decisions you make must be gems of reason and accommodate everyone else’s needs, you’ll feel less stressed by some rather confusing situations. With changes as sweeping as those taking place in your life and for those around you, the best approach is to do what you can, but leave room to negotiate.

have your say

These may be unsettling times. You’re so restless right now, you resemble a hen with an egg and nowhere to lay it, and what’s worse, everyone else seems to be moving and thinking in slow motion. The bedroom, the great outdoors or even the sports centre would be the place to burn off excess enthusiasm and energy and keep you busy while you wait for the rest of the world to get its act together. Oh by the way, don’t be too charming unless you mean it or the penny will drop and you’ll be expected to deliver

Cancer 22 Jun - 22 Jul

Leo 23 Jul - 22 Aug

What would The HUB be without the input of the local people like YOU? to have your say, email us at comments@thehubpaper.com or call us on 01698 803909

Virgo 23 Aug - 22 Sep

alternatively, you can write to: The HUB, Suite 17, Ellismuir House, Ellismuir Way, Tannochside Park, Uddingston G71 5PW

thehubpaper.com

14th - 27th January 2011

New Year’s Resolutions for Pets & Their People Tips for enhancing animals’ lives and our own I

t is the start of a new year, and people’s thoughts often turn to diet and exercise, making up for holiday indulgences. Pets also suffer from overeating and lack of exercise, but there are more things to consider than diet and exercise when it comes to being

a good example for our pets. Here, in no particular order, are 10 tips to a healthier lifestyle for our pets and animals in need.

1) Exercise

Regular exercise has the obvious health benefits, but it also is a great

F[j E\ J^[ <ehjd_]^j Name: 7lW Breed: Yellow Labrador Age: 9 Months Likes: Uddingston with Maisie the 1 year old Guinea Pig Likes: Eating and to play with her cuddly toys Dislikes: J^[ >eel[h

time to bond with our pets. A simple daily walk helps a dog learn proper manners, provides some good quality time, and does wonders for the human counterpart, too! Keeping pets at the proper body weight reduces the risk of a host of poor health conditions.

2) Health Check Up

A regular visit to your vet is the best way to stay ahead of potential problems. Annual examinations of teeth, heart/lungs, and body condition overall will be less costly than waiting for a problem to develop. Having a good “baseline” of information about your pet also gives the vet something to compare against and determine exactly what is wrong

much healthier for the pet! For skin and coat problems that don’t resolve with regular grooming, please see your vet.

5) Safety

when something isn’t quite right.

3) Good Nutrition

Like humans, pets who eat poor quality food just don’t have the health reserves than those that a good balanced diet. Poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems can be a result of a poor diet. Also, pets are not humans - a diet rich in table scraps is not a healthy one!

4) Good Grooming

No one wants to be around a stinky pet. Regular grooming - bathing, toe nail clips, brushing teeth and coat, parasite control - not only make the pet more pleasing to be around, it is

Keeping pets safe is something most pet owners take for granted. However, take a moment to assess the toxic chemicals used in your house and garden. Are they necessary? Are all safety precautions followed? Where are household chemicals stored? Can your pet access these items? If toxins such as rodent poisons are used, can your pet access the rodents? Think too about enclosures for pets - is the fencing secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on the fence, a tree, etc. and choke or be stuck out in the weather when you are away?

6) Information

Being informed is the best way to keep track of our pet’s health

and well being. If possible, keep a medical log of your pet’s vet visits, medications, etc. to help keep track of your pet’s medical history. Knowing what is normal and not normal for your pet will assist your vet figure out what is wrong in the case of illness. The Internet is a wealth of information, but caution is advised when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance via the web. Just as in real life, there is good information and bad information out there.

- Bel[ WdZ 7jj[dj_ed

This is probably obvious, but too many pets are left outside in all kinds of weather, with very little human contact. Same goes for inside pets - those who are largely ignored for lack of time and busy human schedules. Take the time to focus on your pets and create/nourish that human-animal bond!

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There are thousands upon thousands of animals in need of help each day. This concept can be overl]Zab^c\ [dg bVcn eZdeaZ# :kZgn little bit helps, though. Financial donations, donations of supplies or your time to a local shelter or rescue is always appreciated, and real live animals are being helped by your generosity.

9) Maintenance

We have loads of services to offer you and your four-legged best freind: •Doggy Grooming Bathing, ear cleaning/ plucking, teeth cleaning, nail clipping, brushing, de-matting, clipping and handstripping. • Doggy walking • Doggy Day Care • In-house Doggy Boarding To submit your pet please send a photo of your pet to info@thehubpapper.com or post your photo to Suite 17, Ellismuir House, Ellismuir Way, Uddingston G71 5PW with your name, your pets name, breed, age and his or her likes and dislikes. * although we will try, we cannot guarantee the return of any photos posted to us

All of the above services include pick-up and drop-off, if required, at no extra cost.

www.dogOGGY gykingdo I mgroomNGDOM ingglasg ow.co.uk

At Doggy Kingdom, we understand how much your beloved pooch means to you and we love dogs too! So, for a professional and personal service contact Dee on 01698 811696 or 07772 869301 to discuss your requirements.

This refers to the more “unpleasant” aspects of pet care - the litter box scooping, garden clean up, cage cleaning, and fish tank maintenance. A clean environment for our pets is a healthy one! Poor sanitation can lead to behavior problems (i.e. litter box avoidance) and health problems such as skin infections and the spread of communicable diseases.

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Speak up when you notice neglected or abused pets in your area. This isn’t pleasant, but if you can help even one animal escape a painful life, it is worth it. Shelters and rescue groups will thank you and most will accept an anonymous tip to help animals in need. Source: vetmedicine.about.com

Computer Corner

by Sam Walker, Scotcomputers

How to Maximise your Notebook’s Battery Life

t’s your worst nightmare. While you’re standing in front of potential clients delivering your presentation, your notebook, which is attached to the projector, displays a pop-up window reminding you that the battery is about to shut down. As you rummage through your computer bag to find the power cord, the screen goes blank. You lose your momentum and the meeting screeches to a halt. You plug your computer back in, reboot and pick up where you left off, but the energy in the room is gone. There are a number of factors that can affect your notebook computer’s battery life, including: 7ffb_YWj_edi that run while the computer is on, such as Microsoft® Office, Netscape, Lotus Dej[i eh 7dj_#L_hki programs :_ifbWo fem[h (power consumed to create the image on the computer screen) J^[ h[ij e\ j^[ ioij[c fem[h Yedikc[Z Xo j^[ remaining non-specified electronics in the system such as the processor and memory) While most computer companies advertise battery life estimates, actual battery life experienced by the end user can differ significantly, depending mainly on how the system is used. If you’re feeling frustrated because your notebook battery runs out at inopportune times, you might want to consider upgrading to a model designed to run for extended periods

of time. Some notebooks, for example, give you the flexibility to work for up to 19 hours without recharging. That’s roughly the amount of time it takes to fly from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. For those not ready to buy a new computer just yet, here are five tips to help you maximize your current system battery’s life cycle: 1. Manage Brightness — The single largest consumer of power is the display lamp. The brighter the lamp, the more power is consumed by the system. “At higher brightness settings, you only get up to 65 percent of the battery life when compared to reducing the brightness. Because the brightness setting has such a powerful impact on battery life, most portable computers are configured to automatically dim the display as the AC power is removed and to increase the brightness when plugged back into an AC outlet. To save even more power, display brightness can be manually adjusted, probably by using the Fn keys on the keyboard. 2. Power Up; Power Down — In addition to adjusting display brightness, users can enable device power management capabilities. Microsoft® Windows® operating systems provide the ability to extend battery life by trading off power consumption and performance using power schemes. These are accessible through the power options icon in the control panel. For best battery life, we recommend selecting

the Portable/Notebook or Max Battery power schemes, which save power by turning off devices such as the display and hard drive during periods of inactivity and adjusting processor power. Portable/Notebook dynamically adjusts processor power and performance based on the demands of the application running on the system. When performance demands are low, the processor is kept in a low power and performance state. When demands are higher, the processor runs at higher power and performance levels up to its maximum capacity. 3. Use What You Need — Turn off unused devices. Good examples are WiFi devices. If it is not necessary to be connected to the Internet, disable the connection. Certain WiFi devices can consume significant power, usually because they must maintain a minimum amount of traffic between the computer and the nearby wireless access points. Good news! Newer wireless devices include power management features making this less of a concern. Many new notebooks provide a hard-wired WiFi radio On/ Off switch for this reason. We suggest, “Always turn off WiFi, Bluetooth® and cellular modems when they’re not needed. These wireless network technologies can be a significant drain on your notebook battery’s charge. Many newer notebooks have buttons to turn wireless connections on and off. You can also go to Start, Connect to, Show all connections, and then select the connection you want to enable or disable.” It is also good practice to disconnect external DVD drives, Webcams or any peripherals you are not using. 4. Manage Configurations and Your Hard Drive — Your hard drive is in constant motion while the computer is turned on, spinning to locate previously saved data. Defragmenting your hard drive (optimizing the placement of data) will allow the drive to find information more quickly and reduce the speed. If you notice a high degree of hard drive activity during normal usage, your system may be compensating for your lack of system memory by relying on its hard disk for virtual memory. In this case, adding more memory to your notebook can result in additional battery life. The same holds true if you are running multiple applications. Limit the number of applications you have opened at the same time, especially when you have limited system memory, to save on battery life. Since many applications load into system memory upon booting, it is good practice to limit the number of start-up applications to the ones you use on a regular basis. This can be accomplished by running the “msconfig” command from the “Run” feature in XP and “System Configuration” from the “search” bar in Vista. To do this, click on the Start menu. The respective commands will be featured. 5. Condition for Performance — For new notebooks, the industry standard suggests you give the battery a full charge. Then, drain the battery completely. Repeat the process at least two or three times. This helps establish a memory line and conditions the battery to hold the maximum charge

possible. To prolong the battery’s overall life, it is also appropriate to disconnect the battery from your notebook if it will be plugged in for extended periods of time. You can recondition older batteries as well by going through this conditioning process four or five times on older notebooks. Reconditioning will help increase battery life, though it will never be as good as if the battery were new. Depending on the productivity gains you get from reconditioning and the age of your notebook computer, you may want to consider investing in a new battery or system altogether. Back to Business

In summary, to extend battery life you should: AdlZg i]Z Y^heaVn Wg^\]icZhh l]Zc gjcc^c\ dc WViiZgn power :cVWaZ deZgVi^c\ hnhiZb VcY YZk^XZ edlZg bVcV\ZbZci

capabilities to extend battery life 9^hVWaZ YZk^XZh i]Vi VgZ cdi jhZY l]Zc gjcc^c\ dc battery power

So the next time you are giving a presentation, keep these tips in mind to maximize your computer’s battery life. 7ZZ_j_edWb J_fi0 :kZcijVaan! ndj lâa cZZY id X]Vg\Z ndjg WViiZgn bdgZ often. When the battery does not maintain at least an hour’s worth of charge, it may be time to get a new battery. >[ ndj¼gZ Wjn^c\ V cdiZWdd`! WZ hjgZ î ^h ZfjêeZY lî] a lithium-ion battery and not older nickel cadmium-based batteries. >[ ndj igVkZa frequently, it’s best to purchase a second battery and use both batteries equally.

FREEphone:

0800 090 1870

thehubpaper.com

14th - 27th January 2011

The Toyota Prius 10th Anniversary Edition W

hether or not you like the idea, environmentally friendly motoring is coming. The rising costs of running a car these days is making your average motorist take a long hard think. When car manufacturers, such as Toyota, offer a hybrid, you would assume they know what they are doing? The Prius has been with us for many years now, and whilst it is not to everyone’s style, it has by all accounts been successful. In keeping things fresh, Toyota has given their hybrid Prius a revamp. To differentiate from ‘run of the mill’ versions, the 10th anniversary special edition has brand new side skirts and front and rear bumper extensions while at the same time maintaining its eco rating. It also gets dark-finish alloys, bodykit and embossed black leather upholstery add to the impressive streamlined body to create an attention-grabbing car. It’s also sporting a new safety pack with a pre-crash safety system and the title of best selling Japanese car of 2010 as well as a Which? Best Buy Award. Performance Ok, buyers of a hybrid will probably not have ‘performance’ as top of their wish list but the Prius’ beltless 1798cc engine makes for a smooth drive with fourteen percent fewer emissions than the previous Prius model and 8.5 percent better fuel consumption. This engine helps combat rising fuel costs while the electric engine eradicates the use of fuel altogether when travelling under thirty-one miles an hour. It also leads to no engine noise or emissions and because the engine

is beltless it needs far less maintenance. It can hit 62mph from a standstill in just over 10 seconds. Handling/ Ride/ Drive The Prius offers enough room for five adults and the headroom has increased by 12mm. Improved suspension also leads to a more comfortable ride. The wide door frames allow easy access into both front and back seats. The Prius also gained five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test. The safely pack is a real comfort to families with crash precautions. If the driver fails to respond to a warning buzzer, the system activates seatbelt pretensioners and begins an emergency stop to decrease impact force. Running Costs) With the Prius the initial purchase cost is not cheap, anything upwards from £20,000 depending on your chosen model but when you consider the cheaper running costs, it will balance itself out later. The Prius is also Road Tax exempt as its emissions are so low and special mention has to be given to the huge reduction in the running costs achievable due to a conservative use of fuel. The battery has also been improved meaning it is less likely to need replaced. The Prius’s Continuously Unleaded Variable Sainsburys - Hamilton - 121.9 Transmission Shell - Coatbridge - 122.9 improves fuel - 122.9 economy and means Morrisons - Hamilton Highest - 133.9 it can travel an Diesel impressive 72.4 Sainsbury’s - Hamilton - 125.9 miles to a gallon. Jet - Hamilton (Townhead) -126.9 Toys Shell - Coatbridge -127.9 The Prius now

by Heather Palmer comes with LED low beam headlights with washers and dusk detection. These LEDs conserve energy and last longer. The front side windows are water repellant for improved viability. The Touch Tracer Display brings essential information, such as auto settings, to the driver’s fingertips with its clever steering wheel control panel and sensor. It also allows the driver to continue safely as the screen is under the windscreen and in the line of sight. The Prius is certainly not for everyone but as fuel costs look set to rise further it may be worthwhile to give the Hybrid Prius another look.

Stats Cost: 0-62: Co2: Power: Max. Speed: Torque: Economy:

From £20,695 10.4 seconds 92g/km 136bhp 112mph 349NM@4000rpm Combined 72.43mpg

Eco Diesel – Hamilton Highest

- 0.90 - 136.9

Fuel Price Round Up

LPG Morrisons – Hamilton - 68.9 Morrisons – Glasgow Fort - 68.9 *Prices correct at time of print. Source: petrolprices.com

Offer

Destination

High Season from pp

Low Season from pp

Amsterdam

£259

£229

2-nts central 2* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 3* hotel

Barcelona

£249

£199

2-nts central 2* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 3* hotel

Berlin

£249

£229

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Bratislava

£249

£229

2-nts central 4* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Brussels

£269

£219

3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel

Budapest

£289

£249

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel

Cologne

£239

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Copenhagen

£299

£239

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Dublin

£229

£189

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Florence

£299

N/A

3-nts central 2* hotel.

Krakow

£269

£229

3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel

Lisbon

£239

N/A

2-nts central 3* hotel. Selected dates - 3rd nt FREE

Madrid

£259

£219

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel

Malta

£259

£229

3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel

Marrakech

£269

£239

3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 4th nt FREE

Milan

£249

£229

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Munich

£249

£229

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

Nice

£399

N/A

4-nts central 4* hotel. New route commencing April 2011

Paris

£239

£199

2-nts central 2* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 3* hotel

Prague

£289

3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 4th nt FREE

Riga

£259

£229

3-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - FREE upgrade to 4* hotel

Rome

£299

£229

3-nts central 2* hotel. Low season offer - 4th nt FREE

Stockholm

£289

£259

3-nts central 3* hotel. Includes coach ticket to city centre

Tallinn

£229

£199

2-nts central 3* hotel. Low season offer - 3rd nt FREE

thehubpaper.com

14th - 27th January 2011

E\\ J^[ <_[bZ

Name:

Andy Brown

Age:

Lives:

Bothwell Groundsman/

Logistics Career High: 3 - 0 v Beith, West of Scotland Fav Team:

Viewpark Fighters Triumph

Either Or:

Pepsi or Coke: Coke PC or Mac: P.C. McDonalds or BK: McDonalds Pizza HUT or Domino’s: Pizza Hut Beer or Wine: Beer Cupcake or Muffin: Muffin iPhone or Blackberry: iPhone Beyonce or J Lo: Beyonce D_]^j _d % D_]^j Ekj0 Night In Blonde or Brunette: Blonde BMW or Mercedes: BMW Christmas or New Year:Christmas Cinema or DVD: DVD Apple Pie with Custard or Ice Cream: Ice Cream

EYYkfWj_ed0 Machine Operator Position:

Thorniewood

Fav Player: Brian Wharton Fav Film:

Ice Age 2

Fav TV:

Flog It - Antiques Programmes

Puzzle Answers

here was cause for celebration at Viewpark Amateur Boxing Club recently as some of their young boxers reached top spot in their weight categories. Michael McGurk (17), fights in the Flyweight category and has recently won the senior Western District Championship final. This is his first senior season and .was picked to represent Scotland in December against England but unfortunately he lost his fight. During the day, Michael works for his Fathers landscaping

company. He told The HUB; “It is very pleasing to win in my first senior season. I train hard, work closely with my coaches and I am glad that all of my hard work and determination over the past six years is paying off.” Thomas Logan (12) 40kg, got a walk over for his Novice Championship final. Thomas goes to Uddingston Grammar High School. Callum McGuigan (13) 60kg, fought in a semifinal then won the Novice Championship final.

Callum remains undefeated in his 5 fights since he started boxing at the end of last season and goes to Holy Cross High School. David Sexton (15), 70kg, fought a semi-final then won the Novice Championship final in only his second fight. David goes to Cardinal Newman High School. Viewpark Amateur Boxing Club will be hosting another exhibition event later in 2011 and Michael has a national Scottish fight in February.

Fallon Looks To Make History

By Cameron Hill he HUB this week spoke to Thorniewood United Manager John Fallon about how his team are coping with the bleak weather conditions over the past few weeks; along as his thoughts on Thorniewood’s chances of promotion and how they can get back to winning ways. In terms of the weather he said; “the un official break has come at the right time. We took our eye off the ball, especially in the cup games.” He also said that although a cup run would have been nice, promotion is the main target saying they were perhaps “too driven in the league” and therefore let go somewhat in the cup games. With such a tight league this season, Fallon believes that this is better for all the teams chasing promotion, as if your team drop points it never means too much because other teams around you will be likely to drop points as well. In terms of that illusive promotion Fallon said; “The management team here want to make history by taking Thorniewood to the highest place they’ve ever been – The Super

Snooker

HAMILTON DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE (SPONSORED BY FOUNTAINBRIDGE)

Horse & Anchor Fir Park Club Airdrie Workmans Wishaw Masters Bar 147b

4 4 3 4 1

2 2 3 2 5

Low Waters Welfare Coalburn Miners Cambusnethan Miners Columba Club Bellshill Rileys

Anyone interested in joining the snooker league please contact Stevie on

07731 303 790

League Table Played Points Bellshill Rileys 10 42 Bar 147a 9 41 Lanark YMCA 10 41 Horse & Anchor 11 37 Bar 147b 10 36 Fir Park Club 10 34 Airdrie Workmans 10 31 Coalburn Miners 10 29 Cambusnethan Miners 10 27 Low Waters Welfare 11 26 Columba Club 12 19 Wishaw Masters 11 9

Thorniewood United Manager John Fallon

League.” He continued “if we can regain the consistency we had at the beginning of the season, we have the players and more importantly the passion and belief to do it.” The bleak weather has been taking its toll on Fallon’s team as lack of football is affecting everyone at the club. Despite this, he seemed rather unfased about it all. “It’s a bit of a pain, but the boys are always at training, we’ve been running in the snow and using the indoor facilities over at Hamilton, so it’s not too bad.” However he like every other manager in the league is keen to see the return of regular football and is under no illusion about the importance of starting off with a win, “our first game back is a massive one” he said, “obviously we are looking forward to it.” A driver for Fallon is to secure as many points on the board as they can and as quickly as they can. He knows that if Thorniewood can get back to winning ways soon, they have every chance of making history this season by gaining promotion to the Super League.

RESULTS Stagecoach West of Scotland League Super League First Division

Stagecoach West of Scotland League Central District First Div

Stagecoach West of Scotland League Central District Second Div

Saturday 8th January 2011 Annbank United F.C. Ashfield F.C. Glenafton Athletic F.C. Hurlford United F.C.

Saturday 8th January 2011

Saturday 8th January 2011 Wishaw Juniors F.C. Forth Wanderers F.C. St. Roch’s F.C.

PvP PvP PvP

Central District Second Div Pos Team 1 Yoker Athletic F.C. 2 Carluke Rovers F.C. 3 Larkhall Thistle F.C. 4 Benburb F.C. 5 Royal Albert F.C. 6 St. Roch’s F.C. 7 Stonehouse Violet F.C. 8 Forth Wanderers F.C. 9 Maryhill F.C. 10 Lesmahagow Juniors F.C. 11 Wishaw Juniors F.C. 12 Newmains United F.C.

Pld W D 8 6 2 9 6 2 9 6 0 9 4 3 10 4 2 8 4 1 10 3 1 9 2 4 10 3 1 7 3 0 10 3 0 9 1 2

P P P P

v v v v

P P P P

Girvan F.C. Sat, 15 Jan Cumbernauld United F.C. Sat, 15 Jan Kilwinning Rangers F.C. Sat, 15 Jan East Kilbride Thistle F.C. Sat, 15 Jan

JUNIOR LEAGUE TABLES Super League First Division Pos Team 1 Whitletts Victoria F.C. 2 Clydebank F.C. 3 Girvan F.C 4 Renfrew F.C. 5 Shotts Bon Accord F.C. 6 Bellshill Athletic F.C. 7 Kilwinning Rangers F.C. 8 Glenafton Athletic F.C. 9 Hurlford United F.C. 10 East Kilbride Thistle F.C. 11 Ashfield F.C. 12 Cumbernauld United F.C. 13 Vale of Clyde F.C. 14 Annbank United F.C.

Pld 11 12 7 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 7 8 9 9

W 6 5 5 5 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 2 1

D 4 5 1 0 4 1 1 3 0 3 1 1 1 1

L 1 2 1 5 3 5 5 3 4 2 3 4 6 7

F 20 16 21 12 13 21 18 17 18 8 17 21 16 13

A GD Pts 10 10 22 11 5 20 7 14 16 16 -4 15 15 -2 13 24 -3 13 26 -8 13 16 1 12 18 0 12 8 0 12 13 4 10 18 3 10 21 -5 7 28 -15 4

Thorniewood United F.C.

Central District First Div Pos Team 1 Thorniewood United F.C. 2 Kilsyth Rangers F.C. 3 Neilston Juniors F.C. 4 St. Anthony’s F.C. 5 Greenock Juniors F.C. 6 Vale of Leven F.C. 7 Dunipace F.C. 8 Port Glasgow F.C. 9 Shettleston F.C. 10 Johnstone Burgh F.C. 11 Cambuslang Rangers F.C. 12 Glasgow Perthshire F.C. 13 Blantyre Victoria F.C.

PvP

St. Anthony’s F.C. S at, 15 Jan

Pld W D 10 7 1 10 6 3 11 6 2 9 5 3 9 4 2 9 4 1 9 3 3 9 3 2 9 3 1 9 3 1 9 3 0 10 2 2 7 0 1

L 2 1 3 1 3 4 3 4 5 5 6 6 6

F 22 20 16 20 22 19 10 15 12 10 17 10 4

A GD Pts 14 8 22 9 11 21 15 1 20 10 10 18 18 4 14 17 2 13 11 -1 12 21 -6 11 13 -1 10 11 -1 10 19 -2 9 23 -13 8 16 -12 1

Royal Albert F.C. Sat, 15 Jan Lesmahagow Juniors F.C. Sat, 15 Jan Carluke Rovers F.C. Sat, 15 Jan

L 0 1 3 2 4 3 6 3 6 4 7 6

F 25 25 26 13 13 17 22 12 14 15 12 12

A 7 15 14 14 16 15 21 18 25 11 27 23

GD 18 10 12 -1 -3 2 1 -6 -11 4 -15 -11

Pts 20 20 18 15 14 13 10 10 10 9 9 5

To advertise in the HUB, or if you have any local stories or information, call our ofﬁces on 01698 803909 or email: info@thehubpaper.com. Write to: The HUB, Suite 17, Ellismuir House, Ellismuir Way, Tannochside Park, Uddingston G71 5PW The HUB Newspaper

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Photographs by Fraser Connal

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n his 4th appearance, Steven MACGREGOR (SM30-34) won for the 2nd time in a time of 17:04. Martin DRYSDALE (VM45-49) took second by 73 seconds recording 18:17. Derek BREEN, (VM45-49) of Giffnock North AAC placed third in a time of 18:32. In her 4th appearance, Claire MCCRACKEN (VW35-39) of Victoria Park City Of Glasgow AC won in a time of 18:56 for the 3rd time. Claire MCCRACKEN beat Jill LOGAN (SW30-34) representing Motherwell AC by 141 seconds recording 21:17 in the process. Carole MUNRO, (VW50-54) of Motherwell AC placed third in a time of 22:56. In today’s Age Graded competition, Claire MCCRACKEN recorded a performance of 79.31% In the points competition John CONNOR has a lead of 598 points over second placed Ian DEVOY. Margaret GEBBIE leads Lorna BIRRELL by 737 in the ladies competition. This week there were 11 first timers. 7 runners recorded PBs, bringing the total number since the Strathclyde started to 968. In this time, 1062 runners from 63 different clubs have completed the race 3340 times covering a distance of 16700 kilometers.

Robert Gilroy runs his way to 1st place at event 39

Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Athlete Steven MACGREGOR Martin DRYSDALE Derek BREEN Alan HUME Claire MCCRACKEN Stuart MACGREGOR Dave ADAMS George ARBUCKLE David HERBERTSON Derek T MARTIN

Sex M M M M F M M M M M

Run Time 17:04 18:17 18:32 18:50 18:56 19:02 19:33 20:18 20:29 20:34

The male course record is held by Rex BANNER who ran 14:51 on 31/07/10, event #17. The female equivalent is held by Kerry LANG who ran 17:51 on 19/06/10, event #11. Herewith the full results for Strathclyde event 38, 01/01/2011:

Age Grading 76.86% 77.58% 78.33% 69.65% 79.31% 73.91% 67.09% 66.26% 66.64% 67.34%

Age Category SM30-34 VM45-49 VM45-49 SM30-34 VW35-39 VM40-44 SM30-34 SM35-39 VM40-44 VM40-44

Club Name Unattached Unattached Giffnock North AAC Central AC Victoria Park,Glasgow AC Unattached Hamilton Harriers Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers RC Calderglen Harriers Kirkintilloch Olympians

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n his 5th appearance, Robert GILROY (SM30-34) of Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers won for the 5th time in a time of 19:23. Martin DRYSDALE (VM45-49) took second by 111 seconds recording 21:14. Chris WATTERS, (SM35-39) placed third in a time of 22:06. In her 3rd appearance, Claire PURDIE (VW40-44) of Hamilton Harriers won in a time of 26:58 for the 1st time. Claire PURDIE beat Ada STEWART (VW4549) representing Kirkintilloch Olympians by 3 seconds recording 27:01 in the process. Moira NICOL, (VW45-49) of jogscotland placed third in a time of 28:23. In today's Age Graded competition, Robert GILROY recorded a performance of 67.67% In the points competition John CONNOR has a lead of 507 points over second placed Ian DEVOY. Margaret GEBBIE leads Lorna BIRRELL by 737 in the ladies competition. This week there were 3 first

Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Athlete Robert GILROY Martin DRYSDALE Chris WATTERS Iain CRAWFORD Dean STEVENSON John KINSELLA Peter JARDINE John BERRY Jammy Jo SMITH Ian DEVOY

Sex M M M M M M M M M M

Run Time 19:23 21:14 22:06 24:30 24:46 24:59 25:04 25:27 25:31 25:41

timers. 0 runners recorded PBs, bringing the total number since the Strathclyde started to 969. In this time, 1065 runners from 63 different clubs have completed the race 3365 times covering a distance of 16825 kilometers. The male course record is held by Rex BANNER who ran 14:51 on 31/07/10, event #17. The female equivalent is held by Kerry LANG who ran 17:51 on 19/06/10, event #11.

Age Grading 67.67% 67.27% 60.86% 56.53% 57.27% 60.51% 56.12% 60.38% 59.24% 56.07%

Age Category SM30-34 VM45-49 SM35-39 VM40-44 JM14 VM50-54 VM40-44 VM55-59 VM50-54 VM45-49

Club Name RCH Unattached Unattached Unattached Unattached GTC Unattached H Harriers jogscotland S Striders

L]n Cdi BV`Z eVg`gjc Ndjg CZl NZVgh GZhdaji^dc4 Strathclyde parkrun takes place at 9.30am on a Saturday morning at Strathclyde Park, is open to everyone, free and are safe and easy to take part in. People of every ability are encouraged to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; all are welcome. Runners register first on the web and bring their printed off bar code to each race to get their time which is posted during the Saturday on the website and emailed to you directly. It is all manned by local volunteers. Children are welcome when accompanied by their parents and not running for anything else other than fun. At the end of the race runners are treated to a wee bit of home baking for all of their efforts.

If you are interested in running or voluneering please register at this address...www.parkrun.org/strathclyde