New bishop ordained INVERCLYDE parishioners will join others across the diocese to witness the ordination of the new Bishop of Paisley this evening.

Rev John Keenan was announced last month as the man to take up the new position in the diocese, which covers Inverclyde.

He will be Scotland’s youngest bishop, aged 49.

Tonight’s service takes place at St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley at 7pm.


Phone mortgage scam A GREENOCK man is warning people about a telephone scam he has reported to police.

The 50-year-old received a call saying he may be due money back on his mortgage.

He said: “The man was very plausible, asked all my details and when I took my mortgage out.

“The penny dropped when he asked for my bank details.

“I want to tell people to be on their guard.”
Beacon searches for new chairman THE Beacon Arts Centre has started its search for a new chairman after Donald McRae quit the post.

The Tele revealed last week how Mr McRae had announced his resignation at a board meeting following in-fighting among directors.

He only took over as interim chairman in December, after original incumbent Elliot McKelvie was removed following a vote of no confidence A statement from the Beacon said that, during his brief period in office, Mr McRae brought a wealth of experience to the post.

It said: “The directors wish to acknowledge his valuable contribution.

“Discussions are ongoing to appoint a new chairman who will take up office later in the year at the company’s annual general meeting.”
Support ex-servicemen FUNDRAISERS from a charity for ex-servicemen and women are calling at homes in the area this month to invite people to sign up for a direct debit supporting the charity.

Erskine said the move was to allow the charity to plan for the future as well as care for the men and women who need its help now.

A spokeswoman said: “The highly-trained Erskine fundraisers are easily identifiable by their purple Erskine jackets and the ID cards they carry.

“Local authorities and local police forces have been advised of where they are working.

“Fundraisers will be calling at homes in Kilmacolm, Port Glasgow, Greenock, Gourock, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay as well as Langbank.”
Housebuilder donates £30k A HOUSEBUILDER behind a major Inverclyde project has donated cheques worth £30,000 to three worthy causes.

Persimmon Homes, which carried out the Kingston Dock housing development, has boosted the coffers of Yorkhill Children’s Charity, Prostate Cancer UK and the Scottish Youth Theatre.

The charities were all presented with cheques last week after staff at Persimmon organised a series of fundraisers including cake sales, raffles and other sponsored events throughout 2013, ending with a glitzy black tie ball.


Family funeral fight puts cousins in dock A MAN has been fined for fighting his cousin in the street on the day of his gran’s funeral.

Christopher Heron, 34, fought Derek Heron, 31, on Scarlow Street in Port Glasgow on 4 January.

The incident was captured on CCTV and he was arrested after going into a nearby pub.

He pled guilty to fighting in the street and behaving in a disorderly manner.

Solicitor Derek Buchanan said: “It was his grandmother’s funeral and tensions were high.

“Blows were exchanged and it was over by the time police arrived. He is at a loss as to what was behind the argument.” Heron, of no fixed abode, was fined £240 by Sheriff Thomas McCartney.

Derek Heron, of Huntly Terrace, appeared alongside his cousin in the dock, represented by solicitor Ellen Macdonald. His not guilty plea to the same charge was accepted by the Crown.


Licensing board meeting INVERCLYDE Licensing Board holds its next meeting tomorrow morning.

It starts at 10am in the Municipal Buildings.

It is open to members of the public.


Festival work display AN Inverclyde Music Festival display is currently on show at the McLean Museum and Art Gallery.

The exhibition, which was previously in Greenock Town Hall, will run for two weeks.


Spring concert TICKETS are still available for the Greenock Philharmonic Society spring concert this Saturday at 7.30pm in the Lyle Kirk, Union Street.

It will feature Mozart Mass in C and Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise.

Tickets cost £10, and the doors open at 7pm.


Fire museum opens GREENOCK’S fire heritage museum is open again for visitors later this month.

The museum — based in the former fire HQ on Dalrymple Street — will be open on Sunday 30 March from noon to 4pm.


Den-building event A DEN-building and survival skills event is being held at Finlaystone Country Estate on Sunday 23 March from 2 to 4pm.

To book a place, call 540505.


Pair stamped on man's head TWO thugs who repeatedly stamped on a man’s head during a sickening assault are to be sentenced.

Michael Robb, 20, of Wellington Way, and Dean Campbell, 18, of Cartsdyke Court, attacked their victim in Arthur Street in May last year, leaving him severely injured.

The men — represented by solicitors Ellen MacDonald and Gerry Keenan respectively — pled guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court, with sentence deferred until April.


Woman in £5k fraud A GREENOCK woman has pled guilty to a £5,000 benefit fraud.

Stella Sweeney, 52, claimed a total of £5,095 in housing benefit and council tax benefit between 8 November 2011 and 13 January 2013 at her home in Auchendarroch Street.

She failed to tell the council about a change in circumstances she knew would affect her entitlement.

Sweeney will be sentenced once background reports are compiled on her.


Online survey for library users WATT Library users are being asked to take part in an online survey to help improve services and resources.

To take part, visit the Inverclyde Libraries Facebook page and click the survey link.