Easdale increases Gers stake GREENOCK bus firm boss Sandy Easdale is said to have now attained control of over a quarter of the troubled club’s shares.

According to reports, Mr Easdale increased his stake by snapping up over 50, 000 shares at a cost of 23p each last Thursday.

He now owns three million shares but holds the voting rights for a further 14m shares, or 22 per cent.

Mr Easdale has come under attack from Rangers supporters recently. It came after he said publicly that season ticket sales were slow and that the club was in a ‘fragile’ position.

The McGill’s Buses owner urged supporters to come out and buy season books, but an influential Ibrox fans’ group responded by strongly criticising his role at the club, saying they would not be ‘lectured’ by a ‘Greenock Morton fan’.


Gibshill club to have wheely great time GIBSHILL Sunshine Club are going on their annual sponsored cycle around the island of Cumbrae later this month.

Sixteen members and supporters will cover the 10.2 mile route on Sunday 25 May — sponsored for the 22nd year running by Wholly Mackerel fish and chip shop of West Stewart Street.

Bernie Devenay has won the race for several years, and will be back to try to hold on to his trophy.

Club treasurer Anne Burns said: “We raised £2,000 at the event last year, and we hope to do well again this time.

“All the money raised will go towards the club’s holiday to Blackpool in June.”
IT and fitness classes A COMMUNITY centre in Greenock’s east end has a busy new programme of educational and exercise classes.

Auchmountain Resource Centre is holding cookery classes on Tuesdays, basic computing courses on Wednesdays and advanced IT sessions on Thursdays.

Fitness fanatics can enjoy a kettlebells class on Thursdays.

Anyone interested should call 07766442006 or 791818 to book a place.


Chance to quiz stars TEENAGERS in Inverclyde are being urged to snap up free tickets to quiz celebrities like Sir Richard Branson and comedian Kevin Bridges.

They will join Emeli Sandé, Biffy Clyro and Rita Ora at BBC Radio 1’s Academy in Glasgow from Saturday 10 to Friday 16 May at Queen Margaret Union.

It is being organised by Radio 1 and BBC Learning and is open to 16-19 year olds.

There are 7,000 free spaces for youngsters to attend the programme There will be a music and songwriting workshop with singer Sandé, a comedy class with top stand-up Bridges and TV acting sessions with cast members from Greenock show Waterloo Road, plus a masterclass panel with Radio 1 DJ Greg James.

Tickets are available at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/academy
Health group information THE Fitzgerald Centre Health Group is hosting an information day on Friday 23 May in Greenock town hall saloon from 10am until noon.


‘Phone scam’ warning A GREENOCK pensioner is warning people to be on their guard over a telephone ‘scam’.

The 76-year-old received two calls from a company, which set alarm bells ringing. He said: “They said they already had my payment of £49 but needed more details.

“I told them I hadn’t paid anything and reported it to my bank.”
A&E target is missed A NEW report shows that Inverclyde Royal’s accident and emergency department missed waiting time targets in seven out of nine months last year.

Figures released by Audit Scotland show that the hospital met the four-hour target just twice during April to December.

An interim target says that at least 95 per cent of people in casualty should be treated within four hours.

Caroline Gardner, auditor general for Scotland, said: “Delays in A&E can be a sign of pressure across health and social care.

“It is important that the Scottish Government and NHS boards build on their whole system work and continue to reduce delays for A&E patients.”
Engine taken from a shed A BOAT engine worth £1,200 was stolen from a shed in Greenock.

A thief broke into the shed at the back of the Prospecthill Street property sometime between 7.30pm on Monday evening and 2pm on Tuesday afternoon and a Tohatsu engine was taken.

Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101.


Tough glove for Tony A GREENOCK schoolboy will represent Scotland at a major competition tonight.

Tony Orr, from Greenock Boxing Club, who’s the Scottish champ in his age group, will travel to Manchester for the GB Schoolboy Three Nation Championships.

His coach Danny Lee, who is also head development coach at Boxing Scotland, said: “Tony has done really well this year.

“He won his box-off against Euan Hamilton from the North West Club in Kilmarnock to secure his place for this competition.

“He boxed absolutely brilliantly and did everything I told him to do.

“I think this could be his year.” Meanwhile, fellow local boxer Ryan Ball, 15, who is also a Scottish champion, is in action this weekend too. He heads to Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday for a box off to secure his place at the GB Junior Three Nation Championships in Cardiff on 20-21 June.


Denies camera theft A GREENOCK man has denied stealing a camera from Tesco.

James McGill, 36, of Millar Street, is charged with a theft from the Greenock supermarket in November last year.

He will stand trial later his month.


100 years of girlguiding LOCAL brownies are celebrating 100 years of girlguiding with a party at Finlaystone Country Estate.

Around 700 girls from Inverclyde will join others from Renfrewshire at the Big Brownie birthday star quest on 17 May.

The day’s activities will be split into sections including the past, present, and future.

There will be traditional games, a carousel and circus workshop harking back to days gone by, adventure, and a look to the future with a visit from Glasgow Science Centre.


Accused of break-in A MAN is to appear in court charged with breaking into a house in Greenock’s Bawhirley Road.

James Slater, 37, is accused of intending to steal from the address on 5 January.

A second charge states he was found in the curtilage of another address in the street on the same date.

The case was continued without plea at Greenock Sheriff Court and Slater, of Kirkwall Road, is to appear there in May.


Man denies causing breach of the peace A GREENOCK man has appeared in court from custody to deny causing a breach of the peace.

Calum Bonnar, 21, is accused of threatening people as well as refusing to let police into his Dempster Street flat in September last year.

He is also charged with making threats while at Greenock police office.

Bonnar denied all charges.