This week's Community Column is written by Norman Muir, the convener of Helensburgh Community Council.

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Appreciation: As we face the year ahead, we should all be mindful of those who serve our community.

I refer to all the council employees who empty our rubbish bins, repair our roads, pavements and lighting and perform vital support services, unheralded and unsung, week in and week out. It is not something we should ever take for granted. Be grateful for their service on our behalf.

Beach Clean: Helensburgh Community Council is going to organise a beach clean on Saturday, March 4, between 10am and 12 noon.

We hope that this will motivate the community to take matters into our own hands and be actively proud in maintaining one of the major features of the town.

It will hopefully make us more resilient and independent than before. We also hope to match the beach clean to the more prevalent issue of litter on streets and pavements and encourage the use of the litter bins around the town. More details to follow, but keep the date and time clear to participate please!

Helensburgh Trust: The community council is actively investigating the formation of a charitable incorporated organisation within the auspices of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

This will provide a mechanism to raise, hold and distribute funds for the benefit of the town. A number of towns in Scotland already have similar structures and the evidence of community benefit is significant.

In the first instance, we will require a quorum of 8-10 volunteer trustees to set the Trust in motion.

Please contact any one of the Community Councillors if you wish to be associated with this initiative.

Sponsorship: One of the casualties of the present austerity is the inability to maintain the horticultural displays of the roundabouts and flower beds in the town.

Their presence does so much to raise the spirits of the community that we must seek any way possible to get them up and running in all their former glory.

One avenue would be to seek sponsorship from members of the community. If anyone would like to undertake a sponsorship, please make contact on our website.