Over 800 people braved chilly waters to take on a brand new swimming challenge. The inaugural Go Swim Loch Lomond was hailed a huge success on Saturday, September 7. Children, pensioners and everyone else in-between pulled on their wetsuits and
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners have recommended a refusal of the application by Flamingo Land and Scottish Enterprise. They cited loss of amenity to local people over benefits received as one of the main reasons. Exactly as
MUSICAL pupils across West Dunbartonshire got the chance to take part in a free programme of piping and drumming during the summer holidays. The three-day pilot programme was delivered by expert instructors from the Scottish Piping Centre and was
PEOPLE in Dumbarton and the Vale are being encouraged to mark World Porridge Day in aid of Mary’s Meals. The charity, which feeds more than 1.5 million children around the world every school day, is asking locals to get together on October 10 to
Glorious weather made for an amazing weekend in the outdoors for the members of St Patrick’s Dumbarton Youth Club. The group travelled to Ardoch, Gartocharn, and took part in a range of both indoor and outdoor pursuits. Jackie Mackay, youth club
A MAN and his wife were having a “heart-to-heart” talk. She said: “You never listen to me. Every time I talk to you, you get this far-away look in your eyes.” He says the last thing he remembers saying was: “I’m sorry, what were you talking about?”
Celebrities are urging the people of Dumbarton and the Vale to help raise money for the fight against bowel cancer. TV presenter Davina McCall, BBC MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace and TV chef Ainsley Harriott are amongst those calling on Scotland to
AN HISTORICAL fountain commemorating a famous Balloch businessman has been reinstalled in the village. The feature, dedicated to boat hirer Henry Thomas Lynn, was reintroduced as part of a council regeneration project. It was returned following
TWO men who found a bank card lying on a Dumbarton street and used it to buy a games console from a supermarket in the town have been spared jail. John Nicholson and William Croll found the card in the town’s High Street in July 2017 – and used
A DUMBARTON man who was spared jail for a violent assault on his partner has been warned that he could still end up being imprisoned – after he ignored a court order not to go near her home. Mark O’Neill grabbed his victim by the hair in the attack
MORE than 800 West Dunbartonshire families are accessing additional free childcare one year ahead of the scheduled 2020 implementation date. The Scottish Government’s commitment to providing 1,140 hours of free childcare to every three and four-year-old
Arrochar was the venue of the first event held by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area’s new ‘social enterprise hub’. Called Growing Enterprising Communities, the event, held at the Three Villages Hall, saw more than 30 people gather to share
A THUG with a long history of violence who battered a man with a bottle at an Alexandria flat has been jailed for more than two years. Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that Gerard Brown’s record of assaults stretched back 20 years and included the
TACKLING loneliness as a public health crisis must become a priority says Age Scotland – as new figures show around 282,000 older Scots feel lonely. The latest Scottish Household Survey published last week found that more than a quarter (26 per
School pupils from West Dunbartonshire have raised an amazing £12,000 for four different charities. Youngsters from Vale of Leven Academy and Dumbarton Academy teamed up with peers from Clydebank High and St Peter The Apostle High School for the
Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP has urged Post Office Ltd to do whatever it can to ensure that a post office service can continue in Tarbet and Arrochar. The facility in Tarbet closed on June 21 following the resignation of the previous postmaster
CHARITIES in Dumbarton and the Vale who deliver international development projects have an opportunity to apply for a cash boost. The fund is now open to organisations that have an income of less than £250,000 and provide life-changing support to
Families in West Dunbartonshire are being urged to take advantage of a free financial advice service to help them save money. Low-income families who use the Money Talk Team are on average now £1,850 better off. The group helps parents who are
A local autism charity has revealed the name of their new mascot - Otis. Vale of Leven Autism & Asperger’s Forum (VOLAAF) introduced the cuddly bear at their recent summer fare in Renton. The name was suggested by Kayleigh Russell, who chose
The search is on for the best neighbour in Dumbarton. Co-op Insurance and Neighbourhood Watch have opened nominations for their Neighbour of the Year Award 2019, to find the UK’s best neighbours. If you know someone who goes above and beyond
The famed Geilston Gardens have unveiled another opportunity for families to enjoy its splendour - Apple Day. The October 5 event is a celebration of this year’s apple harvest, as well as looking at the various forms of wildlife which support the
A TOTAL of 41 new defibrillators will be installed across West Dunbartonshire following a £50,000 investment in a life-saving campaign. The automated external defibrillators (AED) will be installed outside libraries, community centres, leisure centres
A DRIVER who was clocked at 130 miles per hour between Balloch and Dumbarton has been warned he faces a lengthy jail term. Brendan Black reached the eye-watering speed on the A82 south of the Stoneymollan roundabout in April. The 22-year-old
People of Dumbarton and the Vale are being urged to clear out their wardrobes to help more children and young people survive cancer. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, where people are encouraged to donate any pre-loved quality clothing
A BALLOCH man claimed he turned to selling drugs because he was a good father who wanted to give his children a good Christmas, a court has heard. Gary Murdoch produced a bag full of white tablets from under his pillow when police burst into his
REFURBISHMENT work at Luss Village Hall has been given the green light after a community group were successful in a £20,000 funding application. The Luss Village Hall restoration and management committee have been awarded the money from the Asda
THE Scottish SPCA centre in West Dunbartonshire are asking for the public's help. The charity are in need of a variety of items for the animals that are currently in their care, including one with sensitive food allergies. An Amazon wishlist
Celtic welterweight champion Martin Harkin will make his return to the ring this week with a six-round tune up bout - his first fight since clinching the BBBofC crown four months ago. The Dumbarton boxer won the title in emphatic fashion with a
A 300-year-old gold ring discovered on the shores of Loch Lomond has sold for over £17,000 at auction. Dating from the 17th century, the piece of jewellery was discovered by a novice metal detectorist. It surpassed expectations of a £10,000 sale
ANYONE facing homelessness will spend no longer than a week in unsuitable accommodation like bed and breakfasts under new legislation. The seven-day limit on unsuitable temporary accommodation which currently covers families with children and pregnant
Funds raised from the Dumbarton Police Open Day last month have been donated to charity. Representatives from Y Sort It and Food for Thought received their cheques from Superintendent Kenny Armstrong and Police Constable Tracy Melvin on Tuesday,
Scotland’s leading armed forces charity is searching for a new volunteer to lead the fundraising push in Dumbarton. Gordon Michie, head of fundraising for Poppyscotland, said: “We’re looking for individuals, businesses, groups of friends, or community
