Assault on teen Traffic island appeal ROAD safety fears have prompted requests for traffic islands on a busy road in the centre of Greenock.

Regent Street is set for two new uncontrolled pedestrian crossings following requests made by community groups.

Wellpark Nursery and the local community council have called for a pedestrian advantage island to help people cross at the entrance to the Well Park.

The residential care home on the south side of the street has also asked for a separate island near the junction with Terrace Road.


MSP seeks views on assisted suicide Bill GREENOCK & Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is seeking views on the late Margo MacDonald’s assisted suicide parliamentary Bill.

The proposal is currently going through the political process at Holyrood.

You can write to Mr McNeil, who convenes the parliament health committee, at his office at 20 Union Street, Greenock, or email him at duncan.mcneil.msp@scottish.parliament.uk St Patrick’s Church in Greenock is urging parishioners via its website to ask Mr McNeil to ‘oppose this Bill’.


Tesco effort THOUGHTFUL staff at Tesco Greenock have started a special fundraising drive to help a local boy who has Asperger’s.

Workers hope to raise £4,000 for a 16-year-old who has the condition, which is linked to autism.

They want to buy the boy a dog and have it specially-trained to help him. Staff are organising a sponsored bag pack on 5 July as well as a whole host of other in-store events, including a charity car wash. For more information and to make a donation contact Sharon Sharpe on 509867.


Ecstasy charge A GREENOCK teenager faces a charge of possession of ecstasy.

Connor Murray, 19, of Berwick Road, is accused of having the Class A drug while in Gourock’s Hilltop Crescent in September last year. He is due to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court in June.


Alcohol accusation A GREENOCK man has been charged with stealing alcohol and razor blades from Morrisons in December last year.

Marc Loveman, 33, of Regent Street, is to appear in court next month.


Thief stole £100 washer POLICE are looking for a thief who stole a £100 pressure washer from a Greenock home.

The item was taken from a property on Lyle Road sometime between Wednesday and Friday last week.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by dialling 101 or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Pool party to celebrate special anniversary A POOL party was held to celebrate a special anniversary in the life of Port Glasgow’s popular swimming baths.

The building was renovated 10 years ago by Inverclyde Council, so Inverclyde Leisure arranged a ceilidh to mark the milestone.

The big bash was held in Port Glasgow Town Hall. Pool manager John Bruce said: “I’d like to thank the team at Port Glasgow Town Hall for their help in setting everything up. We were pleased to welcome Inverclyde Leisure chief executive Kieron Vango and some ward councillors to the occasion. Altogether it was a fun night.”
Litter effort ECO-WARRIORS are being called upon to form an army of volunteers to pick litter at an Inverclyde beauty spot.

The Marine Conservation Society in partnership with Marks & Spencer is looking for people to help clean up Lunderston Bay as part of the annual nationwide Big Beach Clean-up.

The clean-up will take place on Saturday at 12.30pm, with volunteers meeting on the grassy area beside the car park, near the disabled parking spaces.

It will be led by the M&S Greenock store team. Volunteers who register in advance at www.mcsuk.org/foreverfish will receive a money-off M&S voucher on the day of the beach clean.


5k run date THIS year’s Inverclyde Leisure Ardgowan Hospice 5k run and walk will be held on Sunday 20 July, it’s been announced.

It starts at the Waterfront Leisure Centre at 11am, goes along to the Esplanade and finishes back at the start.

All proceeds go to the hospice, and entry forms are now available at Inverclyde Leisure centres or can be downloaded from www.inverclydeleisure.com The event has raised many thousands of pounds since it started in 2006 and almost 300 people took part last year.


Leader defends £5k contribution LOCAL authority leader Stephen McCabe found himself having to defend a ‘significant’ council contribution towards a First World War memorial.

Inverclyde’s elected representatives have agreed to provide £5,000 towards the £10,000 cost of a new permanent monument in memory of the ‘Toll Boys’ of Port Glasgow.

But SNP councillor Jim MacLeod has questioned why the funding ‘falls short of what has been asked for’.

He said: “I wonder where the other monies will come from?” Councillor McCabe said that it was a community project which had already raised £2,000 and it was ‘important’ that the pledge was seen in that context.

He added: “£5,000 is a significant contribution in this day and age.

“If it does fall short it is something that we are perfectly willing to look at again.”
Project makes finals AN INVERCLYDE childcare project could emerge as the best in Scotland after reaching the finals of the prestigious National Care Accolades.

The Positive Futures initiative run by Enterprise Childcare has been nominated for a top award in the ‘Working with Local Communities’ category.

Representatives of the project are now set to attend a glittering awards bash at Perth Concert Hall on 10 June.

Manager Ann Walsh said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached the finals and would like to thank all our parents, carers and their children for making the past five years such a rewarding experience. We would also like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of our team to the delivery of the project and the community venues who have worked closely with us.” The Care Accolades — launched 10 years ago — celebrates and promotes excellent practice and workforce development in social services.

Inverclyde’s Positive Futures project, which is supported by the Big Lottery Fund, aims to improve the lives of children and their families.


‘Child lunge’ denied A GREENOCK man has denied lunging at an 11-year-old boy.

James Allan, 29, is accused of an offence which allegedly happened at a property in Earnhill Gardens in October last year.

The charge states he also shouted, swore and entered the address ‘uninvited’. He is to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court in July.