Dancers in bloom DANCERS from Hughes School of Dance promise a blooming great display when they perform at Port Glasgow Bulb Show.

Around 70 youngsters will take part in the display at the annual show in Port town hall on 8 March.

Dance teacher May Hughes said: “People enjoy the show and the kids all enjoy it, it’s a great atmosphere.”
Man accused of hiding 16-year-old runaway A MAN has been charged with concealing a teenage runaway at his Gourock home.

John Adamson, 38, allegedly hid the 16-year-old girl at the address in Cardwell Road on 28 January. Adamson denied the offence through solicitor Derek Buchanan at Greenock Sheriff Court and faces trial in May.


Focus on road ROADS bosses are set to address traffic problems in a troublesome part of upper Port Glasgow.

Inverclyde Council roads officers will visit the Bardrainney Avenue area this afternoon to discuss issues that have been raised by residents.

Ward councillor James McColgan will join officials on the fact-finding trip.


Legion man set for talk TOMORROW’S Greenock Philosophical Society meeting will hear from a former member of the French Foreign Legion and Parachute Regiment.

The Ian Barr Memorial Lecture, entitled ‘Never Too Old’, will be delivered by Alex Louchrie, who now writes anti-terrorist/military-based novels and travels the world.

He is an accomplished graphic illustrator and rally car driver who also specialised in forensic crime scene examination with the police.

The talk is set to be held in the McLean Museum’s Watt Hall, Kelly Street, Greenock, at 7.30pm.

The doors open at 7pm.

Membership of the society costs £10 and membership cards can be purchased at the door.

There is a £1.50 admission charge for visitors.


Port shoplifter swiped creams from chemist A PORT man will carry out community service for stealing from a Greenock chemist.

Hugh O’Hagan, 47, took moisturisers from Semichem in West Stewart Street on 10 September.

When police searched him he was found to be in possession of a Stanley blade.

O’Hagan, of Fore Street, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court represented by solicitor Aidan Gallagher.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.


Woman was in a ‘state of fear’ A KILMACOLM man has admitted placing a woman in a state of fear and alarm.

David Black, 42, entered a property in Glenburn Place late last Tuesday night.

He appeared from custody to admit a charge of behaving in a disorderly manner by shouting and swearing.

Black, represented by solicitor Derek Buchanan, was ordered to be of good behaviour for six months by Sheriff Derek Hamilton.


Making a mess at Westburn Church THE next ‘messy church’ session at Westburn Church will be held on Saturday from 4-6pm.

The get-together is open to all ages and aimed at both churchgoers and those who don’t normally attend services.

Each month there is a different theme — and the fun includes crafts, games and toys for babies and toddlers.

A short act of worship takes place before everyone eats together.


Man denies possession of heroin and diazepam A GREENOCK man has denied being caught with heroin in Neil Street.

Samuel Cowan, 47, is charged with being in possession of the drug on 18 October.

He’s further charged with having diazepam on the same date.

Cowan, of Kirkwall Road, denies both charges and is due to attend Greenock Sheriff Court in April.


Firm probe CRIMINAL charges could be brought over an accident which happened at an engineering firm in Greenock.

Officials at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have finally completed a lengthy probe into an incident which took place at Devol Engineering’s former Clarence Street base in February 2012.

A 41-year-old male employee was allegedly trapped under heavy machinery, with a helicopter, fire engines and an ambulance vehicle sent to the scene. A spokeswoman for the HSE said: “I can confirm that the HSE investigation has now concluded and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal’s office for their consideration.”
Fraud charge A GREENOCK veteran has been charged with benefit fraud for allegedly failing to declare his Army pension.

Iain Sellar, 43, is accused of receiving £2,688 after making false statements about his income. A not guilty plea has been lodged on his behalf by solicitor Andrew Kennedy.


Equipment for patients PATIENTS at Inverclyde Royal will benefit from new equipment provided by big-hearted fundraisers.

Money from the League of Hospital Friends’ IRH tea bar has been used to buy kit worth £28,000.

This includes two endoscopic video units for the ear, nose and throat department costing £25,000.

A League spokesman said: “The new equipment will enable clinicians to take still images or movie clips to track improvement or deterioration, and thereby better inform decisions about treatment.” The balance of £3,000 has been given to wards H North, K South, dermatology and the fracture clinic to buy chairs, footstools, an examination couch and a TV for patient use.


Appeal for lost locket A GREENOCK woman is making an appeal for the safe return of her missing gold locket.

The oval shaped item was lost either in the Fox Street area of Greenock or in the vicinity of All Saints Primary School and Blairmore Nursery in Blairmore Road in mid-November.

Anyone with information is asked to phone 07565 951607.