Autumn dance at golf club WHINHILL Golf Club will hold its popular Autumn Dance in the clubhouse on Saturday 25 August.

The dance will start at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the event are priced at �5 per person.

Entertainment will be in the form of popular local female vocalist Lisa Watt.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased from behind the bar at the club.

For further information contact a member of the committee on 01475 724694.


b>Golfer prepares to play for Scotland A TOP Inverclyde golfer will make his debut for Scotland next week.

Former Kilmacolm Golf Club champion Matthew Clark will play for his country in a home international series against England, Wales and Ireland at Glasgow Gailes in Troon from 15 to 17 August.

Matthew, 30, who works as a banker and lives in Houston, is part of an 11-man team.

He secured an automatic spot through being second on this season's Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit.

The news of Matthew's cap was celebrated by Port Glasgow councillor David Wilson, who is a past captain of Kilmacolm Golf Club.

He said: "This is the first time Matthew has played for Scotland.

"He is the fourth-highest Scot in the world amateur golf rankings and has worked very hard to achieve this wonderful honour." Matthew won the Scottish Mid-Amateur title at Duddingston in 2007 and has landed two Order of Merit titles in the past 18 months - the Craigmillar Park Open and Newlands Trophy at Lanark.

Councillor Wilson said the news was another welcome honour for Kilmacolm Golf Club, after sisters Megan and Eilidh Briggs, also club members, played for Scotland too.


b>Toddlers' fitness fun TODDLERS will be going for a waddle in the Birkmyre Park as part of a special fitness event.

It takes place on Sunday 16 September from 9.30am with an entry fee of �1, which includes snacks and a medal on completion.

To find out more contact Birkmyre Park Fitness Gym on 715750 or visit www.kilmacolmraces.com
b>Weekend ferry help A PASSENGER ferry has been called in to assist on the Gourock to Dunoon route on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Argyll Ferries has confirmed that its ferry Clyde Clipper will be leased to supplement AliCat and Argyll Flyer on the crossing to help with the Cowal Highland Gathering on Saturday 25 August.


b>Support for parents PARENTS in Greenock's east end can find support at a weekly drop-in.

The Supporting Parents project is based in the Open Door centre, Bridgend Road, every Monday afternoon. They run a books-to-borrow scheme as well as offering valuable advice for parents, grandparents or carers.

It runs from 1 to 3pm and if anyone wishes more information, they can call Margaret McCarthy on 07554 662472.


b>Port's prayer meeting THE Port Prayer Partnership holds its latest meeting next week.

The group will gather on Monday 13 August at 10am in St John's Church hall in Brown Street, Port Glasgow.


b>Tenants' open day THE Broomhill Tenants' and Residents' Association are holding an open day at the Nile Street red blaes pitch on Saturday afternoon from 1-5pm.

There will be lots of activities for old and young to enjoy, with face-painting, football, bingo, arts and crafts, music, an assault course and petting zoo all included in the festivities.


b>Traffic problems after burst main A BURST water main caused rush-hour traffic problems in Greenock.

Traffic tailed back from the top of Sir Michael Street from 5.20pm due to the burst main, above. Workmen from Scottish Water attended the incident, as did officers from Greenock police, before the road was made safe.

Traffic returned to normal a short time later.