This year’s Gala Day and family barbeque will take place on Saturday 13th June, starting at 13:00 in the playing field. This year we have arranged a falconry display. Last year was well attended and hopefully this years will be just as successful!

Beith Forrest, one of the areas local councillors (and Deputy Provost of South Lanarkshire) holds a surgery on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6pm to 6:30pm in the Village hall.

Lanark Police meet monthly with all Community Councils regarding local concerns of anti-social behaviour and crime. Caroline Prentice is representing Pettinain Community Council. If anyone has anything they would like to discuss or raised on their behalf, please contact Caroline Prentice on 01555 871137.

Keep Scotland Beautiful’s 2009 National Spring Clean campaign runs from 1st through to 30th April 2009. “The annual month-long blitz on the litter that scars our streets, parks, riversides and beaches began on 1st April but Keep Scotland Beautiful is still looking for people to restore their sense of community pride and clean up their neighbourhoods for themselves and visitors to our country. All volunteers need to do is choose a date in April, gather some friends, family or neighbours and register the event at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/springclean.”

There have been reports of residents dumping grass cuttings in the burn. Please remember that this could cause the burn to become blocked and flood. If you require any rubbish or garden waste to be uplifted, South Lanarkshire will do this for free. They can be contact either by completing an online form at SLC website (www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk) or by calling 01698 717777. Fly tipping has also become a problem in the local area. Anyone seen doing this should be reported to SLC or the Dumb Dumpers on 0845 2304090 along with their car registration.

This is still an ongoing issue. Can we again remind dog owners to use the bins provided by the council for dog poo. Not doing this presents a serious health hazard as many diseases can be spread through contact with dog excrement. If your dog fouls the street and you don’t clean it up you could be fined up to £500. If you are issued a fixed penalty notice, the fine is £40, rising to £60 if not paid within 28 days. If you spot a dog owner not picking up after their dog this should be reported to South Lanarkshire Council’s Environmental services who can be called on 0845 7406080.

Scottish Redundant Churches Trust are keen for Pettinain Church to be used as much as possible. If you have an idea for this please contact SRCT on 01334 472032

We would like to thank everyone for their help and participation in the Christmas Concert held in Pettinain Church. The feedback from all who attended was very good. It was also excellent that the event raised a total of £128 which was donated to Clannalba (Respite care for The Scottish Society for Autism near Lamington) and The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust. Sadly the local turnout was not up to previous years numbers.

There will be an Easter Eggstravaganza held at Pettinain Village Hall on Saturday 11th April 2009. The fun starts at 2pm and will include an Easter Egg hunt. If anyone can help with children’s activities please contact either Jane MacConnell or Ian McLeod. Any contributions of home baking would also be appreciated. All children must be accompanied by an adult. While this is a local community event and free for residents, children and parents from outside Pettinain are welcome subject to a donation of £1 per adult and 50p per child to help cover costs.

Keep Scotland Beautiful’s 2009 National Spring Clean campaign runs from 1^st through to 30^th April 2009.

“The annual month-long blitz on the litter that scars our streets, parks, riversides and beaches began on 1^st April but Keep Scotland Beautiful is still looking for people to restore their sense of community pride and clean up their neighbourhoods for themselves and visitors to our country. All volunteers need to do is choose a date in April, gather some friends, family or neighbours and register the event at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/springclean.”