Scenes from Santa's Grotto at Archie's Shed on 17 and 18 December 2022
Visits to the glorious grotto on 17 and 18 December left children and adults alike wreathed in smiles. Big thanks to Paul Monaghan for capturing so many happy reactions, as well as to his other half, Cat, and to host Lisa, for creating such a magical home from home for everyone's favourite Laplander and his elf assistant.
Christmas Fun at Archie's, 17 December 2022 (repeated on 18 December 2022)
Magical Christmas memories were created today for the children who came to Archie's to meet Santa and his elf and receive an early Christmas present. Their encounter with the man in red took place in a fabulous grotto, complete with sparkling fairy lights and a flickering fire. They enjoyed joining in the singing too, especially 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer', 'Jingle Bells', and 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'. As for the delicious creamy hot chocolate, it went down a treat.
So many thanks to Lisa for generously putting on this event; to Cat for decorations, design and miraculous multitasking; to musical director Jo for putting together the song selection (and Fiona and Cordy for singing along); to Edward and Paul for photography; and most of all to Santa and his little elf for making sleigh bells ring early in Waterside.
Thank you also to everyone who came along to join in the fun.
So many thanks to Lisa for generously putting on this event; to Cat for decorations, design and miraculous multitasking; to musical director Jo for putting together the song selection (and Fiona and Cordy for singing along); to Edward and Paul for photography; and most of all to Santa and his little elf for making sleigh bells ring early in Waterside.
Thank you also to everyone who came along to join in the fun.
Christmas has come early at Archie's! Well done, Lisa and Cat! 29 November 2022
A crisp, clear late-November night allowed Edward Z. Smith to capture the full magic of the Christmas display that Archie's Lisa Giffen and friend Cat Monaghan had worked so hard to put in place. Thank you, all of you! Christmas, here we come!
RIP stalwart WCC member Elspeth Carlin, who Died on Monday 14 November 2022
Waterside lost a much-loved and much-valued member of the community on Monday 14 November with the passing of Elspeth Carlin, a member of the community council for decades.
A warm and kind person with a sparkling sense of humour that made her great fun to be with, Elspeth really came into her own at parties and celebrations and loved going out. She particularly liked line dancing; so much so that, in addition to weekly line-dancing practice, Elspeth would make an annual trip to a line-dancing extravaganza in Blackpool with her great friend and former neighbour, Susan. She also loved coach trips and cruises and holidays in Benidorm. Then there was Aran knitting, at which she excelled to the benefit of adults and children alike. Despite being told, because of her decidedly non-green fingers, not to touch the plants at a nursery where she once worked, Elspeth had always wanted to see Dutch tulips in their glory in the Netherlands. So it is very cheering to know that her son, Calum (of whom she was immensely proud), and daughter-in-law, Maureen, were able to help her realize that ambition earlier this year.
A warm and kind person with a sparkling sense of humour that made her great fun to be with, Elspeth really came into her own at parties and celebrations and loved going out. She particularly liked line dancing; so much so that, in addition to weekly line-dancing practice, Elspeth would make an annual trip to a line-dancing extravaganza in Blackpool with her great friend and former neighbour, Susan. She also loved coach trips and cruises and holidays in Benidorm. Then there was Aran knitting, at which she excelled to the benefit of adults and children alike. Despite being told, because of her decidedly non-green fingers, not to touch the plants at a nursery where she once worked, Elspeth had always wanted to see Dutch tulips in their glory in the Netherlands. So it is very cheering to know that her son, Calum (of whom she was immensely proud), and daughter-in-law, Maureen, were able to help her realize that ambition earlier this year.
All possible sympathies to Elspeth's family and friends on their loss.
Her passing reunites Elspeth with her late husband, Jim, and daughter, Shona.
Her passing reunites Elspeth with her late husband, Jim, and daughter, Shona.
Pre-Halloween Pumpkin and Fancy-Dress Competition at Archie's, 30 October 2022
Wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of all who came for the carved pumpkin and dressing-up competitions at Archie's on Sunday 30 October (a joint event by Luggiewatch, Waterside Community Council and most notably, Archie's, which generously provided free hot chocolate and hotdogs as well as the perfect Halloween haunt, complete with graveyard, hooting owl and ghosts).
Huge thanks to all the kind volunteers who made this event possible as well as to Edward and Paul for capturing these images.
Huge thanks to all the kind volunteers who made this event possible as well as to Edward and Paul for capturing these images.
Sponsored walk in aid of Waterside Miners' Charitable Society, 30 October 2022
Sunday saw the first local fundraising event for the recently revived Waterside Miners' Charitable Society, whose main aim is to demolish the now derelict Waterside Miners Club and build a state-of-the-art community centre serving everyone in Waterside and surrounding area. If anyone would like to contribute, please email [email protected].
Nature red in beak and Claw on the Luggie, September 2022
It's eel time for the heron but not for two envious waterfowl looking on. Thanks to Edward Z. Smith for this dramatic picture.
Dam Braes or Damned Braes? 31 July 2022
Either there's something nasty in the woods up the Dam Braes path...
...or creativity has taken root.
Wild flowers at Waterside Cross, end July 2022
What a glorious profusion of colour greets the eye at the cross (or 'turning circle' as the bus timetables would have it). Big bouquets to the Streetscene team who brought this about. The bees and other pollinators are busy reaping the rewards.
Begonias and other Blooms, July 2022
Creative gardeners Janice Whyte, Jack Gartshore, Janice McBride and hanging-basket queen Fiona Gilmour have gone all out to make Waterside pretty in pinks, purples and petals this summer, partly with the help of begonias generously provided by EDC's Streetscene, and funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. Huge thanks to everyone involved.
Below: Jack Gartshore and Janice Whyte tending the flower bed; Fiona Gilmour watering while dog walking; Janice McBride caring for the Christmas tree
Watching the Sun Go down, Waterside Bing, 21 June 2022: the Summer Solstice
A climb up Waterside bing to bid farewell to the sun on the longest day of the year is set to become a Waterside tradition thanks to Karen Chesney-Bathie, who will be leading other local walks soon too.
Setting off at 8.45pm, there was plenty of time for the group to reach the top before sunset at 10.07pm (and for some to dress up in daisy chains).
What a lovely way to celebrate the summer, our scenery and being able to be social again! Thanks, Karen.
Big thanks also go to Luggiewatch for helping to organize and advertise the event.
And a huge thank you too to the photographers who captured this delightful occasion.
Big thanks also go to Luggiewatch for helping to organize and advertise the event.
And a huge thank you too to the photographers who captured this delightful occasion.
Winning entries in the Waterside Easter Duck Race Photography Competition
'It was wee treat for me to have a look at the Duck Race images and select my favourite from each of the three categories. An excellent selection of photographs that captured the fun atmosphere of the day.
'A huge thanks to all participants for submitting their excellent pictures, and I look forward to next year's entries.'
'A huge thanks to all participants for submitting their excellent pictures, and I look forward to next year's entries.'
Edward Z. Smith
Imagination Running Riot!
Eleven and under: winning photo by Matilda McGarry
Joy and Exuberance
Twelve to sixteen: winning photo by Cameron Giffen
Fun, Fun, Fun!
Over sixteen: winning photo by Barbara McGarry
The prize in each category is £25.
Waterside Easter Duck Race, 17 April 2022
Turnout for the 2022 Easter duck race was excellent, despite the event's clashing with an Old Firm game.
As well as the duck race, with its prizes of £70, £50 and £30 (generously sponsored by McLaughlin and Harvey, Archie's and Luggiewatch respectively – thanks so much to them), there was an egg hunt, orienteering, an Easter bonnet competition, a magnificent raffle and a photography competition.
Huge thanks are also due to McLaughlin and Harvey for supplying a whopping 140 boxed eggs for the egg hunt and orienteering; to CALA Homes for printing orienteering maps and punch cards as well as supplying the egg prizes for the Easter bonnet competition; to Archie's for giving us the Shed for the day and helping in every possible way; to all the incredibly generous providers of raffle prizes; to Caroline Notman and James Quigley for designing and organizing the orienteering course; to Alex Strawhorn and Peter McDonald for playing music and creating a harmonious atmosphere (sweetened still further by wonderful cakes from Peter's Bakery); and to our absolutely vital volunteers: June Carrigan, Karen Chesney-Bathie, Siobhan Craig, Brooke Giffen, Cameron Giffen, Lisa Giffen, Ross Hale, Victoria Keenan, Cordy Lilly, Steven Moffat, Catherine Monaghan, Caroline Notman, Stephen Swan, Michelle and Neil Watson, Janice Whyte, and others who responded to the call. Without volunteers, no events would ever happen. YOU are the heart and centre of our community. Thank you!
Just under a fortnight before, it had looked as if the duck race might have to be cancelled when Waterside Village Events was obliged by circumstances to bow out; so thanks to everyone for pulling together and making the day enormous fun.
Thanks to Edward Z. Smith, Paul Monaghan, Caroline Notman, Catherine Monaghan and Susan Murray for capturing these glorious photos, and to Edward for suggesting and offering to judge the photography competition.
Don't forget to send in your entries for the photography competition to [email protected] by end 22 April. The categories are the following:
Best photo from the Easter Duck Race Fun Day: under 16
and
Best photo from the Easter Duck Race Fun Day: over 16.
As well as the duck race, with its prizes of £70, £50 and £30 (generously sponsored by McLaughlin and Harvey, Archie's and Luggiewatch respectively – thanks so much to them), there was an egg hunt, orienteering, an Easter bonnet competition, a magnificent raffle and a photography competition.
Huge thanks are also due to McLaughlin and Harvey for supplying a whopping 140 boxed eggs for the egg hunt and orienteering; to CALA Homes for printing orienteering maps and punch cards as well as supplying the egg prizes for the Easter bonnet competition; to Archie's for giving us the Shed for the day and helping in every possible way; to all the incredibly generous providers of raffle prizes; to Caroline Notman and James Quigley for designing and organizing the orienteering course; to Alex Strawhorn and Peter McDonald for playing music and creating a harmonious atmosphere (sweetened still further by wonderful cakes from Peter's Bakery); and to our absolutely vital volunteers: June Carrigan, Karen Chesney-Bathie, Siobhan Craig, Brooke Giffen, Cameron Giffen, Lisa Giffen, Ross Hale, Victoria Keenan, Cordy Lilly, Steven Moffat, Catherine Monaghan, Caroline Notman, Stephen Swan, Michelle and Neil Watson, Janice Whyte, and others who responded to the call. Without volunteers, no events would ever happen. YOU are the heart and centre of our community. Thank you!
Just under a fortnight before, it had looked as if the duck race might have to be cancelled when Waterside Village Events was obliged by circumstances to bow out; so thanks to everyone for pulling together and making the day enormous fun.
Thanks to Edward Z. Smith, Paul Monaghan, Caroline Notman, Catherine Monaghan and Susan Murray for capturing these glorious photos, and to Edward for suggesting and offering to judge the photography competition.
Don't forget to send in your entries for the photography competition to [email protected] by end 22 April. The categories are the following:
Best photo from the Easter Duck Race Fun Day: under 16
and
Best photo from the Easter Duck Race Fun Day: over 16.
The winners of the Waterside Easter Duck Race 2022 were
1st: duck number 19, Paul Monaghan
2nd: duck number 33, Kayla McEwen
3rd: duck number 72, Natalie Kelly.
1st: duck number 19, Paul Monaghan
2nd: duck number 33, Kayla McEwen
3rd: duck number 72, Natalie Kelly.
Below are the timings achieved by the teams going round the orienteering course.
Waterside Miners Social & Welfare Club: the building, April 2022
A survey shortly before Waterside Miners Club closed for business in March 2020 showed that the building required maintenance work totalling £500,000 just to keep going. Improvements such as disabled access would increase the cost further. Since then, the building has deteriorated even more.
The photos below make it clear that the most practical and most economical way forward is to demolish the existing building to build a fit-for-purpose new community centre.
The photos below make it clear that the most practical and most economical way forward is to demolish the existing building to build a fit-for-purpose new community centre.
Waterside Miners' Charitable Society Meeting, 29 March 2022
On 29 March 2022, former members of Waterside Miners Club attended a meeting at the Broadcroft Hotel (in an impressive meeting room with a wonderful view of the Campsies, generously provided free for the occasion by the Broadcroft's management). The reason for the meeting: to discuss getting the charitable society back into governance, and planning a much-needed community facility for Waterside and area. A new committee of sixteen members is required.
Twenty-four people stepped up to the challenge and offered to be part of this exciting new project. A new committee will be voted in very soon.
Huge thanks are due to Susan Murray for finding a way forward for us when all was looking hopeless.
Twenty-four people stepped up to the challenge and offered to be part of this exciting new project. A new committee will be voted in very soon.
Huge thanks are due to Susan Murray for finding a way forward for us when all was looking hopeless.
CALA's development proposal gains Planning Approval, Tuesday 29 March 2022
The meadows behind Waterside Miners Club had long been earmarked for development in the East Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan, but 29 March 2022 saw the council's planning board vote to allow CALA Homes to turn their current proposals into bricks and mortar.
The Wee Wood and pond will at least be retained in their natural state, and many more trees and hedgerows are included than in previous plans.
The Wee Wood and pond will at least be retained in their natural state, and many more trees and hedgerows are included than in previous plans.
EDLC Remembers two Local Poets on World Poetry Day (21 March 2022)
To order copies of Edward Z. Smith's beautifully illustrated selection of William Surgeon verses (priced £8), please contact Waterside Community Council.
RIP Raina, much-loved Waterside Horse
Raina's passing on 15 March 2022 came as a very sad blow to the whole of Waterside. As one of the many photographers who often took pictures of her said: 'She was such a gentle giant; absolutely loved her!'
She doubtless speaks for us all.
She doubtless speaks for us all.
Thank you and Good Luck to Debbie and Jim Carmichael As they swap one river for two! (March 2022)
After 25 years at the heart of the Waterside community – campaigning in the interests of our village; bringing theatre to Waterside (remember that knockout Nativity play and sparkling Cinderella?); planting trees, bulbs, shrubs and flowers; protecting and cleaning up the environment at the helm of Luggiewatch (with Jim occasionally falling in the Luggie in the process); creating calendars; capturing images of our wildlife and landscape; painting slates from the Sunday School; organizing school walks, canal trips, and Luggiewatch stalls; being trustees for Community Response in East Dunbartonshire; and so much more – Debbie and Jim are sailing off to the shores of the Clyde and the Cart, swapping their cottage (the scene of so many happy, fun- and laughter-filled social occasions) for a Victorian town house beside a park, where no doubt Jim will be doing even more writing (as James Magnus).
Despite WCC chair Janice Herriot's wondering whether we might just be able to acquire an anchor to prevent their escape since the gap they will leave behind will be so huge, we wish them every possible happiness in their new home. Good luck, Debbie, Jim and Ruaridh! Now when are you coming back for a visit?!
Despite WCC chair Janice Herriot's wondering whether we might just be able to acquire an anchor to prevent their escape since the gap they will leave behind will be so huge, we wish them every possible happiness in their new home. Good luck, Debbie, Jim and Ruaridh! Now when are you coming back for a visit?!
Fire Gallops through Gartshore Stable Block, 15 January 2022
Six fire engines and their crews turned out at around 10pm on Saturday 15 January to put out a blaze in the derelict stable block that forms part of the Gartshore estate near Waterside. The cause of the fire at the former property of the Whitelaw family is being investigated.
Below: a photo of the stable block taken by a visitor on a recent walk (before the fire) around the estate