The last few months have been reasonably busy at the council - the SNP budget provided funding to tackle holiday hunger, so now most community-based activities for school age children in the area can provide free food.

The council has reaffirmed West Dunbartonshire’s designation as a Nuclear Free Zone, and made clear that nuclear weapons are not welcome here for moral and safety reasons. Mass balloon releases were banned from council-controlled land, with a number of other environmental initiatives supported after WDC’s formal recognition of the climate emergency. The Building of 58 new council homes has now been approved for Haldane, adding to those recently agreed for Bellsmyre.

July has arrived on the calendar bringing the school summer holidays with it. This is a great chance to get out and explore the activities on offer in our area. I kicked off the summer with a visit to a busy Bellsmyre Gala Day on Saturday, put on by Bellsmyre Development Trust. The council are promoting a wide range of activities for children and young people much closer to home; the details are on the WDC website and I’ll also post them to my Facebook: CllrIanDickson.

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Our libraries will be busy too, running activities like Learn & Grow garden projects, computer coding sessions, Bookbug parties, and a vast range of arts and crafts activities. Residents also benefit from the National Park being right on our doorstep, with summer activities all around Loch Lomond (pictured right).

On the water, you could be paddling in a kayak, swimming, or cruising on a boat. On dry land we could be out hiking or climbing, camping, getting in a round of golf, or relaxing with a days fishing. If cycling appeals, but your bike needs some TLC, look out for the Dr Bike sessions in the Bonhill Area. The first two organised by Bonhill and Dalmonach Community Council have been very successful so arrive early if you can, and let the experts fix your bike completely free. Next weekend we will see Loch Lomond Highland Games at the Moss O’ Balloch, and at the end of the month the restored Levengrove Park will host the Scottish Pipe Band Championships.

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The council may be in recess throughout July, but I think I’ll be needing a break after all these summer holiday activities.