A large group of litter pickers who are supporting the 2014 Clean Up Scotland campaign have cleaned up Orchard Park Avenue.

The 94th Glasgow Scout group (based at Thornliebank), staff at McDonalds Thornliebank and Eastwood MSP Ken Macintosh hit the streets for a clean-up, as part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative.

The 33 volunteers identified Orchard Park Avenue as a litter hot spot.

The group donned their high-vis jackets and litter pickers — provided by East Renfrewshire council — and collected 12 bags of rubbish weighing over 52kg.

A group of local businesses are attempting to establish a think-tank in Clarkston. This would be totally separate from the BID group that is linked to East Renfrewshire Council.

It is believed that this group of businesses have been uncomfortable with the activities or lack of by the BID group. The following is an advert issued by the new group.

"A warm invitation to all local businesses, professional practice units and concerned members of the Clarkston community who are keen to ‘stop the rot’ and preserve the life blood of what we know CAN BE a viable place to live, work in and visit.

We are a group of successful local businesses eager to set up an independent ‘think- tank’ to discuss a way forward for the town and safeguard the future success of our respective businesses.

We are in no way linked to the local authority or any other business group in the area. We simply have a strong interest in exploring whether our combined business expertise and area knowledge can help us to identify simple solutions to the many detrimental issues which are threatening our livelihoods.

If you share our concerns, please join us in Cafe Roma on Tuesday 6pm on 6th May and give us your views.

Kindest regards.

Marie Baines Allen and Harris
Debra Clapham Claphams Solicitors
Tickety Boutique
Café Roma"

Courtesy Barrhead News

A VULNERABLE teenage girl has gone missing from her home in Clarkston.

Officers from Police Scotland are appealing for the assistance of the media and the public to trace 15 year-old Niamh Cockton.

She was last seen at home in Williamwood Drive, Clarkston, around 11pm hours on Monday, April 21.

Niamh went to her bed however when her parents checked on her a short time later they discovered she wasn’t in her room.

Niamh is described as being around around 5ft 4 inches in height with a slim build. She has light brown hair with distinctive blue streaks and when last seen she was wearing dark ‘skinny jeans’, a black t-shirt with a mermaid on the front, a blue hooded top and dark shoes.

Police also said Niamh has recently been dealing with some personal issues and her parents are extremely distressed and just want to know she is safe and well.

Inspector Alan Dickson said: “We have been carrying out extensive enquiries, speaking to family and friends in an effort to locate her. However, all attempts to find her have so far proved unsuccessful. We are becoming increasingly concerned for Niamh’s welfare and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard from her or who has any knowledge as to her whereabouts to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Giffnock Police Office on the non-emergency police number, 101.

- See more at: www.barrheadnews.com/news/roundup/articl...sthash.6DzGLYYP.dpuf

The ERJCCF which comprises of the majority of East Renfrewshire Community Councils are forced to ask why four members of the East Renfrewshire administration are portraying themselves as Scottish National Party Councillors?

Cllrs. Buchanan, Carmichael, Reilly and Waters were all elected in May 2012 as the chosen candidates to represent the SNP yet they are refusing to attend a public meeting hosted by East Renfrewshire Community Councils to put the case to residents as to any benefits Scottish independence could bring to East Renfrewshire.

This open and impartial debate to be held on Wed 4th June at 7pm in Mearns Castle High School, would be balanced by four East Renfrewshire Councillors from Better Together who would make the case and explain any benefits to East Renfrewshire, if Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom.

Whilst the Better Together representatives have had no hesitation in accepting the invitation, nothing has been seen or heard from the four SNP Councillors who have not even had the courtesy to acknowledge receipt of their invitations.

There is a huge appetite locally from residents to learn what benefits independence might or might not bring.

A spokesperson for ERJCCF members said “This is an apolitical meeting for local Councillors, to explain to their local residents, the impact on local services in East Renfrewshire that independence would or would not bring. Independence is the single key plank these SNP party members stand for. If these SNP Councillors are not prepared to enter a free and open debate with their residents, the SNP party must seriously question whether or not these politicians should continue to have their support and party nomination to stand as SNP Councillors in East Renfrewshire. Were these four SNP Councillors elected under false pretences?”

Other Community Councils throughout Scotland are running similar events, with the enthusiastic support of their local SNP and Better Together Councillors and we want our communities to have the same opportunity.

Newsline has contacted all four councillors and provided them with the opportunity to reply.