Angling club to hold charity contest KEEN anglers across Inverclyde are being invited to take part in a new annual charity competition.

Greenock and District Angling Club is hosting the fishing tournament at Loch Thom this Sunday and hope to reel in a fortune for several local causes.

Last year's inaugural competition was organised by Greenock teenager Lynn Hutchison, 15, in memory of her little cousin Sharon Wright who tragically passed away, aged four months, in November 2010 after being born 10 weeks prematurely.

The fishing event raised a staggering �2,600 for Yorkhill Hospital, where baby Sharon was cared for, in the tiny tot's name for the Sharon's Trust charitable foundation which Lynn set up for her goddaughter.

Now Greenock and District Angling Club is taking the torch from caring Clydeview Academy pupil Lynn and organising another charity contest this weekend.

There will be prizes for contestants and a trophy on offer for the winner as well as refreshments, raffles and plenty of laughs for all the family from 11am to 5pm.

They hope for another big turnout on Sunday from club members and guests.

Lynn's grandad, Willie Hutchison, is a former president of Greenock and District Angling Club, and is helping to arrange the contest following the huge success of last year.

Entry for the competition costs �5 and the club is on the lookout for kind donations of raffle prizes.

For more information contact Willie on 07827 326742.


b>Club fundraiser THE Port Glasgow Unity Club will hold a fundraising night on 14 September.

The event runs from 7.30pm to midnight and includes a disco, bingo and a raffle.

Members and their invited guests are welcome.

The night will raise cash for the social club.

The committee recently appealed for members to show more support in a bid to keep the club afloat.

Tickets are available from the club and anyone who wishes to donate raffle prizes is also asked to contact the club.


b>Church hosts talk GREENOCK Baptist Church will host an event based on the very origins of the universe this Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express Greenock.

The event, starting at 7pm, will also include a talk by guest speaker Alastair Noble titled 'Design Flaws in Darwinism'.

Following the talk there will be refreshments and a question and answer session.

The discussion will cover the question of life and the universe are the result of chance or whether there is a designer behind it all?

It is the latest in an occasional series of meetings organised by the Baptist Church called 'Just Curious' aimed at those who may not be particularly religious, but are curious about some of the big questions in life.

There is no charge to attend and anyone needing further information should contact the Baptist Church on 713728.


b>Church joins doors open day ST JOHN'S Church of Scotland in Gourock will be a part of Inverclyde Doors Open Day this Saturday.

From 10am until noon the church will be open for the public to come and view the Pulpit Falls and Banners on display.

At 10.30am there will be an organ recital by local musician Ian McCrorie.

Tea, coffee and a range of home baking will be provided and disability access can be found at the St John's Road entrance to the church.


b>Quit smoking classes start NEW 'quit smoking' sessions are starting soon in Inverclyde.

The first is at Greenock Health Centre on 12 September at 6pm and the second is on 24 September at 5.30pm in Port Glasgow Health Centre.

The sessions are organised by the smoke-free community services wing of Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership.

A spokeswoman said: "You are four times more likely to quit smoking successfully with our support.

"For more information, call 501226 or visit us in wing 'F' at Greenock Health Centre."
b>History plea from library A NEW website delving into Inverclyde's local history is appealing for information.

A group of amateur researchers are currently working on the site based around Inverclyde's heritage and famous faces.

They are currently creating a webpage about the freelance artist, Mary Lindsay Fairgrieve, and were wondering if anyone remembered this woman or had been taught by her at evening classes.

She died in 1967 and people may remember her from local exhibitions, from her time at Glasgow School of Art or when living in either Greenock Esplanade or Gourock's Ashgrove Terrace.

Anyone who has any memories or stories please contact Inverclyde Libraries on 712322.


b>Italian classes ITALIAN classes for adults and children resume on 21 September at the Italian Club in Union Street, Greenock.

Call 638885 for further information.


b>Port Otters back in action PORT Glasgow Otters resume training on Sunday afternoon at the town's pool after their summer break.


b>Car boot sale BARGAIN-HUNTERS are reminded that a charity car boot sale in aid of Cancer Research is on this weekend.

It takes place in Greenock Tesco, Dalrymple Street, from 10am to 2pm on Sunday.

A pitch costs �5 and there is no need to book.


b>Camera club INVERCLYDE Camera Club meet tomorrow night in Cardwell Bay Sailing Club, Cove Road, Gourock, at 7.30pm.

Anyone interested in photography is welcome to go along.


b>Teenager gets football boost A TALENTED teenager has received sponsorship to help him in his bid to become a professional American footballer.

Connor Nicolson was given �200 from Cigna Healthcare in Greenock to help buy a new football kit.

The delighted youngster said: "I was awestruck when I was informed about the generous donation and cannot thank them enough.

"I am very grateful and thankful that the people of Greenock are so supportive to help me achieve my dream." Cigna managing director James Parker added: "He's a talented young man and we believe he'll work and train hard to play American football professionally.

"We're delighted to sponsor Connor and we wish him the best of luck in his future career." Connor, 16, developed an interest in American football after watching local team Inverclyde Phoenix in action. His friends encouraged him to try out for the team and he ended up as captain.

During the summer, Connor spent nine days in Williamsburg, Virginia, at the Football University - Elite Top Gun Camp. The football camp is by invitation only for the best of the best American footballers throughout the world to train and play against each other under the coaching of top players.

Connor recently moved to Bristol to attend Pride - the American Football Academy. He will train every day for four hours whilst studying for three A-levels - English, history and sociology.