Lynne's race night plea KIDNEY patient Lynne Kane is urging businesses to sponsor a race night she is arranging to raise funds for Inverclyde Royal.

The Greenock mum is holding the charity event in May and hopes it will raise awareness about the plight of dialysis users.

She is appealing for firms to donate �35 to cover the costs of prizes for the race winners.

The cash raised will go to the unit and help treat patients to a day out which will give them some respite from the routine of tiring hospital appointments.

The bash is being held in Cruden Hall, Greenock, on Saturday 12 May and tickets cost �10, which includes a hot buffet.

Anyone who wants to sponsor a race or book a ticket should call Lynne on 07792 664045.


Students praise web service PUPILS are benefiting from a brand new service helping them to plan their future career.

Fourth year pupils, Ailsa Watson and Kareen McAuley, from Clydeview Academy, gave the exciting website 'My World of Work' the thumbs up after trying it out with her careers adviser, Maureen Wheeler.

The new interactive service - delivered by Skills Development Scotland - provides information on the jobs market as well as offering help with areas such as tackling tough interview questions.

Ailsa said: "I'm at the point of researching what I want to do when I finish school and wanted to find out what jobs are actually available.

"Through My World of Work I learned about career options and I especially liked the CV builder as it helped me put my CV together quickly and easily." Kareen added: "I'd definitely use My World of Work again and I've encouraged other pupils and my friends to make use of it as well." Since it launched in August last year, over 55,000 people have already registered on the site. It helps youngsters find out what kind of job suits them and how to get it.

Pupils can also use interactive features to identify strengths, create CVs, search for jobs or training opportunities, and get tips from constantly changing features about job seeking.


Satellite dish is approved A SATELLITE dish which was put up on a former church without prior permission can be retained after councillors agreed.

Members of the planning board yesterday approved the work carried out at the former Mount Zion Church in Quarriers Village.

The application was submitted retrospectively, after the dish had already been installed at the flats development.


Road repair work welcomed A COUNCILLOR has welcomed a new programme of road repairs.

Council leader Stephen McCabe is happy that 12 roads in his ward, covering Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm, will be reconstructed.

The work is part of a total planned investment of �7.8 million in the road network over the next three years.

Northfield Avenue, Mull Avenue, Lismore Avenue, Boglestone Avenue, Slaemuir Avenue and East Woodside Avenue have all been confirmed as priority targets in financial year 2012/13.

Work will also be carried out at Marloch Avenue - which recently featured in the Tele after more than 100 defects were found in its surface despite the fact repair work had already been carried out.

Councillor McCabe said: "I am pleased to see that ward one will benefit from the substantial investment in roads, footways and street lighting by the council over the next three years. I am sure that this much needed investment will be welcomed by motorists and pedestrians."
Concert competition winners MANY Tele readers entered our competition to win tickets to two charity concerts being staged this month by Greenock Rotary.

And the winners have now been chosen.

On Friday 9 March there will be a night with The Wherries at the Lyle Kirk, Newark Street Building, beginning at 8pm.

And on Saturday 17 March there will be a St Patrick's Day concert by the Stedfast Silver Band in the Westburn Church, starting at 7.30pm.

Rotary offered a pair of tickets for each event.

We asked readers to tell us the names of the members of The Wherries.

The answer, of course, is Kenny Wilson and Dave Currie.

And the first correct entries out of the hat were from Linda Black, of Auchenfoyle Farm, Kilmacolm, for The Wherries' concert and Rosemary McWilliam, of Brisbane Street, Greenock, for the Stedfast event.

Tickets for the concerts are still available from the Arts Guild, Anne Hill on 529888, Kenny Melville on 781881 or at the door on the nights.

Thanks to everyone who entered the competition.


Bid for painting loan ONE of the country's leading art galleries has requested a loan of the McLean Museum's Cr�me de Menthe.

The work by FCB Cadell is currently hanging in the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh as part of The Scottish Colourist Series.

Now the exhibition - including the oil painting belonging to the McLean - will move on to the McManus, Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.

FCB Cadell is one of the most celebrated Scottish Colourists and the new request highlights the significance of the McLean Museum's collection.

The museum has been asked for works from galleries in Japan, Canada and France and has also given contributions to significant shows in Edinburgh, Dublin and London.


Coffee morning for charity A FUNERAL home in Port Glasgow is set to raise charity cash at a coffee morning.

Staff from The Co-operative Funeralcare in Princes Street are holding a 'spring thing' event on Saturday 7 April to help the children's Robin's House Hospice.

Visitors are welcome to drop in between 10.30am and 2pm for coffee, tea and hot cross buns, in exchange for making a donation.

Local businesses have donated prizes towards a raffle and home-baked treats will be available to buy on the day.

Easter eggs, biscuits and chocolate are also being collected by staff from now up until Easter to donate to local care homes for elderly and children's homes.

Donations will be gratefully received at the funeral home in Princes Street.


Autism support programme A FAMILY programme supporting people affected by autism is to be launched in Inverclyde.

The National Autism Society for Scotland is looking to come to the area and provide information and advice to families of youngsters affected by the condition.

The lottery-funded programme is free.

Those interested should call 0808 800 0075 or email familyprogramme@nas.org.uk for more information.


Residents' conference new venue A CONFERENCE hosted by the Federation of Inverclyde Tenants' and Residents' Association has had a last-minute change of venue.

It will now take place in James Watt College's Waterfront campus on Saturday 24 March.

The event was originally scheduled for the Holiday Inn but the hotel's conference room will not reopen until May. Current chairwoman Alice McCaughey is set to step down from her post at the annual general meeting.


'Ear bite' charge A MAN has been accused of assault to severe injury by biting another man's ear.

Craig Homer, 28, is alleged to have assaulted a man at The Waterline pub, Cathcart Street, Greenock, on 25 February.

He is alleged to have assaulted the man, punched him repeatedly on the head and bit him on the ear to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Homer, of Luss Avenue, Greenock, made no plea or declaration when he appeared in private at Greenock Sheriff Court, represented by solicitor Derek Buchanan. Sheriff Ruth Anderson continued the case for further examination.