Hi there from Don and me.

This is the Newsletter's first birthday. Yes it's one year on since the first one downloaded into your inbox. In that time our hit rate has steadily increased month by month and now is more than double what it was a year ago. So it is clearly worth dropping us an email about any events you or your group have planned. We can offer quite a bit of publicity in the Events pages or the Noticeboard.

Also we are always pleased to get feedback and to hear of your ideas for improving the website, whether by changing the content or the layout.

This month, the Showcase features a painting 'Fishing Off Venice Pier' by Peter Nardini, a short story 'A Grain of Truth' by Brian Laidlaw, a member of Lanark Writers, a poem 'Sclimbin the Knock' by Andrew McCallum, a member of Biggar Writers, a fireplace 'Jose's Fireplace' by furniture maker Patrick Baxter, a photograph 'The Crop Reaper' by freelance photographer William Wilson and two songs about the Covenanters, one 'The Grassmarket Butchers' by Tom Clelland and the other 'Jamie Penman' by Robin Laing. Thanks to all our contributors this month and thanks, too, to all those who have been sending us work for inclusion in future Showcases.

Next month we hope to include work by the Andy Kain band, the freelance photographer Craig McMaster and the freelance writer and painter Elizabeth Everill.

Keep an eye on our Noticeboard where you will find other interesting news as it happens in the Clyde Valley. There is a lot going on.

Best wishes for the season ahead.

Joanne and Don