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Community Bus takes Villagers on another Magical Mystery Tour

by Bill Mutter 28 Jan 2010

Like the mystery of the Gala accounts and who authorised the payment of £360 + vat for a DJ to replace the one we had for free,without consulting the Gala Committee, the community bus, long thought to be bankrupt, suddenly re-emerged at a hastily arranged meeting of the little known 'Skelmorlie Community Bus Association'. No notice in the Telegraph or Largs and Millport, No, a hand written request on the Spar shop door was all that was needed for this group to meet to discuss what to do with the £5100 they found in the kitty.

The mystery element of all this is that some six years ago when the bus was pensioned off, as past its best and too expensive to repair or replace, questions were asked at the Community Council meeting as to what finance was available for a possible replacement. Yours truly was shot down in flames for having raised the subject and was told it was none of the councils, nor my business. Strange that there was duplication as regards members of both committees yet it took six years for this group to get together and decide to give the funds away to 'charity'.

The local press were of course given minimal information, namely the groups who would benefit, but as usual no audited accounts of how much each group received.

The questions remains; Who, when several groups in the village were clammoring for a replacement bus, decided not to reveal the true value of the funds and why wait six years to dispense with them? Also after two requests to N. Ayrshire concil for audited Gala accounts, apparently no trace can be found, or at least I take their silence to indicate that.

I can only repeat what Gerry Langdon previously stated; The Masons who meet in the centre should be proud of our Council! Why? Shousht, Its a secret!


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29 Jan 2010 | 10:34:31

Robert Cathcart says

which charity ?

30 Jan 2010 | 7:57:26

elizabeth moir says

What groups were clammouring to use the mini bus ? They certainly were not queuing up to use the bus when it was on the road. Some months the only time the bus went out was on a Sunday to take folks to church.

31 Jan 2010 | 4:28:26

Bill Mutter says

Regardless of the frequency of use it was a community asset which is sadly missed. Had it been properly promoted I am quite sure much more use would have been made of it. I personally used it, at the request of others, for organised trips to Tennant Brewery, concerts and Pantomime in Glasgow. With the last train leaving Central at around 10.30pm the bus gave people the freedom to enjoy a night away from this cultural desert without the enforced curfew. Karaoke and community singing with piped music so loud you cant hear yourself think does become a bit wearing. It would be nice to have an alternative available!
Had our community council listened at the time and not swept it under their magic carpet, we would perhaps not be having this inquest.
P.S. Anyone out there think a community bus would be useful?

1 Feb 2010 | 11:37:57

Margaret Lawrie says

So who are you having a pop at Bill? The community bus association? The Community council or the Karaoke / singing community of the village? As far as I'm led to believe the community funded the mini bus so as there is no mini bus it's only fair the funds went to the community, which I also believe is what happened, as someone who goes to Glasgow regularly, relies on public or alternative transport, I wouldn't ever require the need for a community bus. In the current climate, I don't think the funding of a community bus is something the village needs, while villagers strive to keep open the bowling green/golf club and various other projects and organisations. The which I will add have been heart of the village a lot longer than the availability of the community bus. I will add however that I have many many happy memories of being in the mini bus whether it being school trips/youth club competitions etc, and a young Mr Bain eating too many oranges.

1 Feb 2010 | 4:55:05

Robert Cathcart says

What community singing ?

5 Feb 2010 | 3:21:38

Robert Cathcart says

Every time I want to know whats going on I have to drive 350 miles and drink 6 pints of lager in the pub then drive 350 miles back home (the next day of course). Maggie don't you want to take on the role of Community Correspondent for the Eglinton Bar? lol

5 Feb 2010 | 3:49:32

Margaret Lawrie says

LOL! Don't think I would qualify Robert.... not in there often enough! How come you did that drive in 350 miles (345 for me).

8 Feb 2010 | 1:53:58

Robert Cathcart says

I was exaggerating again!!

8 Feb 2010 | 4:35:48

Margaret Lawrie says

so you had 4 pints instead of 6?

9 Feb 2010 | 11:06:22

Bill Mutter says

Mags, I quite agree that funds available, as they were, should be distributed in he village to village organisations, but as several of the childrens organisations are currently strapped for cash it beggers the question,who did get the funds and how much? Not a lot to ask you would think. What I am getting at, as usual, is the lack of information in the village.
The Golf club des not qualify as a charity recipient and the Bowling Club/Tennis Club have had the opportunity of a Lottery Fund grant and rejected it for the status quo.
Re the football pitch. The porta cabin sitting in Toward View, which I believe are changing facilities, should either be refurbished for the kids or removed as an eysore if redundant. Wouldn't you agree?

10 Feb 2010 | 8:47:58

Billie Walker says

I have been at a couple of meetings when this very point was brought up and apparently it is destroyed inside through flooding or something like that, it would certainly make more sense if it was used for something more sensible. Maybe once we find out how to let out the football field we can find out what is happening with the portacabin.

10 Feb 2010 | 10:20:24

Margaret Lawrie says

I take it you're no further forward Billie.

Bill I understand your comment about lack of information, it has been a topic that has been raised repeatedly. I know of some organisations that benefited from the the mini bus fund, however it isn't for me to discuss, especially online. My point concerning the individual clubs in the village, isn't one regarding them being charities, more about how villagers (Skelmorlie & Wemyss Bay etc) supporting there pastimes, and the few elements of the village which keeps us a community.

Personally I feel it isn't the financial climate to put to the village, the need to fund a mini bus. Years ago not everyone had a car, but now most households have at least one. You only have to see the church car park on a Sunday to understand this. Again this is a personal one, as yours concerning the Karaoke fans, but not much of that happens in Skelmorlie anymore its mainly Wemyss Bay.

Re: the porta cabin, was discussed when the (SPAG) campaign was high, but no one came back to anyone to inform them on NAC's decision on the matter. But yes i would certainly agree on something being done on the spot where the cabin sits, maybe even some carpark space for the residents or another much desired home.

10 Feb 2010 | 6:21:21

Kenny Stewart says

I think it would be beneficial in the long run if we could get like for like with the Portakabin. It's great that we now have a decent football pitch that has the potential to attract the 'much missed' competitive game to the village, but we need a facility for the teams to get changed. If we haven't got this it will put teams off asking to play on the pitch.

10 Feb 2010 | 11:10:58

Billie Walker says

I think the wee team that started in the village were given permission to change in the centre but this will not be allowed for older teams. Surely they have to at least suggest something re the portacabin they cant expect the teams to change in the open air, or can they, this is NAC we are talking about after all.

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