News in brief: Friday 11 April

Parklea BC in Port Glasgow and Inverkip BC will host their annual green opening events on Sunday, both from 2pm.

Week-long roadshow A WEEK-LONG community roadshow event will be taking up residence in the Oak Mall from Monday.

Run by a company called DFP Television, the event will showcase films about Ardgowan Hospice and the RAF Reserves.

A variety of activities will be on offer, including complementary therapy and exercise bikes.

A choir will also be on hand to provide additional entertainment from 3pm on Wednesday.

The roadshow is being staged outside the Poundworld store in the Mall.

Morton club quiz night THE Inverclyde branch of Samaritans is having a fundraising quiz night in the Morton Supporters’ Club tonight at 8pm.

All welcome.

Drink driving allegation A WOMAN aged 43 has been charged with drink driving after being stopped at Bankfoot Roundabout near Inverkip at 9am on Wednesday.

Car tyres are slashed A MOTORIST had two car tyres worth £240 slashed during an incident in Gourock.

A vehicle belonging to a 64-year-old woman was targeted in the town’s Cardwell Road some time between 7.40pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday.

Two tyres, one at the front and rear, of the car were slashed. Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Locals’ fury at dogs’ dirt RESIDENTS in Gourock are crying foul over dog dirt on a busy pathway in the heart of the town centre.

Locals are angry at an ‘ever-increasing’ mess on the busy footway and stairs at the end of Kempock Street and start of Albert Road. One local, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals from some ‘intimidating’ dog owners, said: “It’s disgusting.

“It will discourage people from visiting Gourock — something which the town centre thrives on — because you have to dodge this filth lying everywhere on the path.

“It’s plain laziness from the owners not picking up after their animals.

“They are showing complete disrespect for others and the community in which they live.”
Art fundraiser A FUNDRAISER to help cancer sufferers is being held at the Chartoom in Inverkip on Sunday.

A craft and art show in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer will take place in the function room from 11am until 4pm.

Ramble in Arrochar INVERCLYDE Ramblers are off to the Arrochar Alps tomorrow.

Anyone interested in going along should meet at Cathcart Street car park at 9am.

Reshuffle for better service THE biggest housing association in Inverclyde has undergone a reshuffle designed to give tenants better services.

River Clyde Homes (RCH) has set up specialist teams to tackle issues like anti-social behaviour and will have more people available on the phone to deal with queries and complaints.

The shakeup is a response to thousands of Inverclyde residents giving their thoughts on what they’d like to see from their landlord.

Sandra McLeod, RCH director of housing and customer services, said: “We got a very clear message that our customers wanted to see a greater focus on the things that mattered to them.

“We have responded by setting up a number of specialist teams to deal with issues like the neighbourhood environment, anti-social behaviour and helping vulnerable customers sustain their tenancies, and we have also built our customer services team to improve communications.”
Speeding fine A MOTORIST has been fined £133 for speeding on East Hamilton Street in Greenock.

Christopher Mitchell, 34, of Edinburgh, was caught travelling at 42mph in a 30mph zone on 30 August last year.

40 bands set to play in Gourock A GOUROCK bar and restaurant will host seven top musical acts tomorrow night — including a Scottish Variety Awards nominee.

One Ashton Road is taking part in the first ever Go-Rock Festival, which will see 40 live bands and musicians play all day in five venues across the town.

Topping the bill for the waterfront nightspot is Ayrshire contemporary classical singer Nicola Cassells, who was nominated for the Scottish Variety Awards ‘best new artist’ prize.

She shares the bill with bands Pedro, The Good Old Gin, Take Today, Naked Nelis, Dougie Fae the Ship and Parker.

The music runs from 5pm to midnight.

For more information, just visit www.go-rock-fest.com
Teenagers arrested FOUR youths aged between 14 and 16 were arrested for allegedly vandalising a Greenock water board building.

The teenagers have been charged with housebreaking with intent to steal after they were found within the grounds of the Scottish Water premises in Killearn Road at around 7.45pm on Tuesday night.

The four, one 16-year-old, two boys aged 15 plus a 14-year-old, are now the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.

Man denies coats theft A GREENOCK man has denied stealing a number of coats from the Beacon Arts Centre.

Stephen Adams, 31, is charged with a theft which is alleged to have happened on 18 December.

He also denied being in possession of diazepam at Greenock police office on the same date.

Adams, of Clynder Road, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court where solicitor Aidan Gallagher pled not guilty on his behalf. He is due to stand trial next month.

Prison officer ‘hurt in attack’ A PRISON officer at Greenock’s Gateside jail was injured following an alleged attack by an inmate.

The female staff member in her early 40s was allegedly assaulted by a female prisoner in her 20s at around 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Police say the prison officer sustained minor injuries and officers are still investigating.