Opening day for 6 greens SIX local bowling clubs open their greens on Saturday.

Gourock Park, Port Glasgow, Wellington, Fort Matilda, Hillend and Ardgowan will all celebrate the start of the new outdoor season.


Man denies calling people ‘court grasses’ A GREENOCK man has denied committing a breach of the peace in which he allegedly challenged people to fight after calling them ‘High Court grasses’.

Paul Harkins, 28, is charged with shouting, swearing and making murder threats during an incident at an address in Port Glasgow’s Devol Avenue on 13 January.

Harkins, of Poplar Street, denied the offence through solicitor David Tod and is due back at the town’s sheriff court later this month.


Oak Mall shop charge A PORT man has denied shouting, swearing and uttering threats at an Oak Mall shop.

John Ross, 39, of Moorfield Avenue, is charged with an offence said to have taken place in Superdrug on 23 January.

He pled not guilty through solicitor Amy Spencer at Greenock Sheriff Court.


Orchestra in contest finals INVERCLYDE Schools Wind Orchestra have reached the finals of the National Concert Band Festival in Birmingham on Saturday.

This comes only weeks after they received the highest award available to judges at the Scottish finals.

Musical director David Hutcheson said: “To continually achieve these top awards is a real credit to the music service within Inverclyde.

“This will be the ninth year in succession the orchestra will be representing Scotland at the national finals, something no other local authority has managed, and we could not manage that without huge support from the parents and council.” Education convener Terry Loughran said: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved — pupils, parents, carers and staff.”
Cameras are vandalised FIVE security cameras have been damaged at a Port Glasgow building site.

Police are probing acts of vandalism which happened at Minard Road between 8.30pm on Monday and the same time the following day.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses to call them on 101 or phone anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


Search for £5k copper thieves POLICE are hunting thieves who stole £5,000 worth of copper pipes from a local shipyard.

Around 35 metres of valuable metal was taken from Ferguson’s in Port Glasgow sometime between 2 and 8pm on Monday.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information about the theft to get in touch.

PC Caroline Loggie said: “Hopefully someone has seen something.” Contact police by calling 101 or ringing Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Learner fined A GREENOCK motorist who drove with just a provisional licence has been fined.

Ulisys Tan, 35, was caught behind the wheel unsupervised on Robertson Street and Union Street in December last year.

Tan, of Brachelston Street, was fined £200.


Trip to Lourdes ST Patrick’s Church in Greenock is organising a trip to Lourdes, France, in October.

It will take place during the first school holiday week and will be by coach.

For more information phone Frank Garvin on 710033.


Easter line-up A CRACKING line-up of Easter activities is taking place at Port Glasgow swimming pool.

Today and next Thursday there will be fun disco sessions from 6-7pm. There’s also a parent and child aqua-aerobics class on Tuesday 15 April from 1.30-2.30pm and on Good Friday there will be an Easter bonnet parade. The events cost £1.50 per person.

The pool is open at 10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the holidays.


Rocking live THE Torpedo Factory Club is one of several venues hosting the Go-Rock Music Festival on Saturday.

The club in Chalmers Street will be open all day to entertain revellers with live music.

The festival will feature a host of live acts across a range of genres and there are plans to have street buskers around town and free performances.

For more information visit www.go-rock-fest.com
Delighted councillor praises new soccer school for pupils A PORT councillor has praised Inverclyde’s newly-launched soccer school.

Councillor Jim MacLeod thinks the initiative is a goal-den opportunity for the young people involved.

He said: “This is a great project aimed at S1 and S2 pupils and focuses on improving children’s academic and social skills as well as seeking to boost attendance at schools.

“The Scottish Football Association have been running similar initiatives with other councils for some time but this is the first time it has been run in Inverclyde and is a joint project between the council, Morton and the SFA. As ward councillor for Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village, I am delighted to see that this fantastic new initiative has started at the new Port Glasgow Campus in my own ward. I’m sure it will not be long before other councillors are looking for it to be extended to their wards too.”
Man charged with assault A GREENOCK man accused of assaulting a woman was granted bail despite a push by prosecutors for him to be remanded in prison.

Anthony McVey, 28, is alleged to have attacked the woman in Westburn Street by pushing her on the body.

Procurator fiscal depute Lindy Scaife opposed bail, adding: “It is clear that he does not adhere to court orders and also has an unexpired portion of a previous custodial sentence.” But Sheriff Ruth Anderson allowed McVey, of Bearhope Street, his freedom until his next scheduled court appearance on 3 June.

She said: “It’s not the worst of assaults, pushing someone on the body.”
Appeal for volunteers THE Greenock Cut Visitor Centre is looking for volunteers.

People of all abilities are urged to sign up for a voluntary programme which runs every Saturday from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Anyone interested should pop along to the centre or send details to volunteer@clydemuirshiel.co.uk
Woman fined for speeding A GREENOCK woman has been fined £133 for speeding on East Hamilton Street.

Carol Bateman, 55, of Glen Street, was caught travelling at 42mph in a 30mph zone on 9 November last year.


Health bosses sorry for treatment delay HEALTH bosses apologised today after an out-patient due to undergo a procedure at Inverclyde Royal was turned away at the last minute.

The patient was due to be treated on Monday but NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said that staff were ‘continuing to experience peaks in activity across our hospitals’.

A spokeswoman for the health board said: “Despite this, the vast majority of elective procedures at Inverclyde Royal went ahead as planned.

“Regrettably, one patient who was due for admission today has had their procedure postponed.

“This patient will be given a swift appointment, within the national waiting time guarantee, and we very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
Pub’s booze ban ends A BOOZE ban for a Greenock pub has ended.

The Lynedoch Bar was hit with a four-week ‘no-alcohol’ sanction last month for a catalogue of alleged offences — including an axe being found within the premises.

Licensing chiefs who imposed the ban also revoked the licence of the bar boss.