222 March 2013 - Gryffe Advertizer

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No.222

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your LOCAL community magazine

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March 2013

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welcome to March 2013

this month....

At the start of February, I felt I was somewhat lacking in the old ‘oomph’ factor. Cold, dark mornings and a general lethargy was draining me. Then, through my good friend Mo, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and attended a couple of meetings where I had to step up to the plate and talk about myself and my experiences. Thank you in particular to the ladies of the Houston NWR who made me feel very welcome and at ease.

February continued to surprise and enlighten me. I heard news that I had not expected and it fair put a spring back in my step. A visit to the hairdresser fair set me off laughing - thank you Susan at AM Hair & Beauty. You know, I read a saying a long time ago, while going through my treatment, and it rings very true today. “Look to the sun and the shadows fall behind you”. I shall continue to look to the sun and will view whatever comes my way over the coming months with a positive smile.

Our usual round of events is kicking back into shape. We have a Wedding Fair in the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm on Saturday 2nd March from 12noon until 3pm. Bridge of Weir’s Gala Queen selection interviews will take place on Saturday 2nd March at 6.30pm in the Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir. Kidston Kids hold their annual Nearly New Sale on 23rd March - lots of great bargains to be had here. Linwood Sports Centre is having a Pre-Open Weekend on 23rd & 24th March to show off the wonderful new facilities at Brediland Road, Linwood. See our centre pages for all the details. Lochwinnoch Arts Festival will run from 13th to 24th March with a variety of events held through the week and an art exhibition in the Library running throughout.

Contents

advertiser directory business classified property classified deadlines sales & wants

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Since Maxwell Place in Bridge of Weir was resurfaced last year it has become a popular parking spot. This lane runs down the side of Neva Place and is now over-congested with parked cars, making deliveries difficult for the businesses which use the lane as access.

Drivers are urged to park considerately, otherwise preventative measures will have to come into force. It is actually illegal to park on a pavement and one car has already been damaged by a delivery lorry.

VILLAGES

MAGAZINE

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Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN

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The Gryffe Advertizer

Finally, a wee reminder to please make sure you receive an ‘auto-reply’ when sending in an email. If you don’t get one, please call to check.

No.221

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Bishopton, Bridge of Weir & Langbank 26-28 Brookfield, Crosslee & Houston 38-39 Howwood & Elderslie 37 Kilbarchan & Lochwinnoch 34-36 Kilmacolm & Quarriers 28-31

All this and more in our March magazine..... enjoy!

February 2013

ADVERTISING

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church listings 40 garden&outdoors 19&54-57 local history 20 local news 6-25 healthy minds 24 in business 22 it blog 22 legal matters 23 pets & wildlife 58-59 council & planning 42-43 schools news 44-50 sports & clubs news 51-53 travel blog 7 tv tech 24 what’s on 14-18

unity magazine your LOCAL comm

NEWS & FEATURES

In our “Planning” section we have news of a meeting to be held in Kilmacolm regarding the propsed plans for a windfarm on Corlic Hill. This is something which will affect villagers and it would be beneficial to visit and find out what the plans are. Everyone should take an interest in this process since it will affect all of us, please take the time to consider the proposals and make your voice heard, whether for or against.

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MAGAZINE 24/01/2013

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The Gryffe Advertizer cannot be held responsible for unsolicited materials. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the views of the publishers. The Gryffe Advertizer takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication.

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Social Media Workshop: The nuts and bolts Following on from the recent successful session about blogging, it seemed like a good idea to have a look at social media.

Love it or loathe it, there’s no getting away from liking, tweeting and sharing. We might as well use it to our advantage.

The workshop will be all about how to get the best from social media – including Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and LinkedIn – at home or at work.

This time, blogger Ellen Arnison will be joined by Rona McGinn from The Advertizer, as well as Hypnotherapist Mo Ferrington.

For writer and journalist Ellen, social media is an essential part of blogging.

During her time with The Advertizer, business woman Rona has seen how important social media has become. Mo is an Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist who has found Facebook to be a vital part of promoting her work.

The workshop takes place on Saturday 16th March, from 10am to 1pm at The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of Weir. Cost £6, booking essential. For more information, email: ellenarnison@hotmail.com, phone 01505 610272 or visit www.ellenarnison.com

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Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 13th – 24th March

All Lochwinnoch children (7-12 years ) poetry competition title ‘Fur n’ Feathers’ workshop with Franzeska G Ewart Saturday 2nd March enrol as library (Big prizes!)

Art exhibition in Library from 14th March til Sat 23rd

Thursday 14th

Jazz night with Joni Keen and Quartet – Golf Club (£12) 7.30pm

Friday 15th

Susie Lamont and pupils - Parish Church (Donations) 7pm Festival Friday - Music in local pubs: Corner Bar, Brown Bull and 3 Churches (Evening)

Saturday 16th

McKillop - Rowena Murray interviews her friend Dennis Canavan - 10am McKillop (£4 –con £2.50) (& Rowena’s second hand books ) Crafts in Castle Semple 11-3pm (free entry) Calder Church ‘David the Musical’ 7.30pm (£4 – conc £2.50)

Sunday 17th

BBC Music Master Class Golf Club 7pm (more to follow)

Monday 18th

Lochwinnoch Writers and Janice Galloway - McKillop 7.30pm (£4 – conc £2.50)

Tuesday 19th

Pauline Vallance Elderly forum (ROAR) - McKillop 11am (free entry) Pauline Vallance, Clare Robertson and Betty McKellar ‘Fur n’ Feathers’ in RSPB 7.30pm (donations). To book to place at RSPB 01505 842663 or email lochwinnoch@ rspb.org.uk

Wednesday 20th

Glasgow Theatre Guild ‘Songs from Film and Shows’ Parish Church 7.30pm (£4 - conc £2.50)

Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd Calder Drama Production (£6 – conc £3)

Saturday 23rd

Krafty Kids Parish Church 1.30pm - 3pm (£5) Crafts in Castle Semple 11am - 3pm (free entry) Festival Ceilidh with band ‘Clamjamfrie’ and Pauline Vallance and Clare Robertson McKillop 8pm (£6 – conc £4.50)

Sunday 24th

Festival Finale Lochwinnoch Choral Society Senior and Junior choir and members of Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra ‘Music from Around the World’ Tickets for Sale in Crafts of Calder, Now and Then, Brown Bull and The Junction, Lochwinnoch www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk

Wedding Show Sunday 17th 12noon – 5pm

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FREE ENTRY at Salerno Suite.

Fashion show exhibits and wedding packages on the day. Come early to avoid disappointment.

Call: 0845 301 1010 email:general@ ingliston.com or ask at reception for further information.

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Guild Spring Coffee Morning Saturday 2nd March in Sherwood Greenlaw Church, Paisley from 10am -12noon. Usual stalls. £2 payable at door on day. All welcome.

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Travel Blog

by Maureen Horton of Travel a la Carte

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!

Is this a misprint? You are asking.....The answer is no it’s not!

If you are planning to be away next Christmas or New Year, then this is the month to start organising your trip. That way you will get first pickings of all the choice there is and not be left picking up the scraps nearer the time.

Schedule flight carriers such as British Airways, Virgin and Emirates are all already open for business. All schedule airlines open their bookings 11 months prior to departure date and this is when you are most likely to get the best price.

So if you are planning an escape to the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean or Australia next Christmas, don’t hesitate.

On the ski front, the 2 major operators, Crystal and Inghams, have their preview brochure out already. You can make a booking at this year’s prices with a small deposit up until their main edition becomes available.

Easyjet and Jet2 have not opened their bookings yet, but you could have a plan put in place and be ready to pounce as soon as they become available to book. With the 2 festive days falling exactly in the middle of the week, there will be a big demand, especially for New Year in the Alps.

Whether you want SUN or SNOW…..we will help get you there.

‘Inspired’ by Quarriers Services

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Local MSP Derek Mackay was ‘inspired’ by services run by Quarriers on a visit to the charity’s HQ in Bridge of Weir. Quarriers Chief Executive Paul Moore gave the MSP a tour of three of the charity’s local projects, visiting Kelly House, a residential adult disability service, the Scottish Epilepsy Centre and children’s learning disability short breaks home Countryview.

Mr Mackay said: “It was truly inspiring to visit the projects and see the support Quarriers offers locally to vulnerable children and adults from Renfrewshire and further afield. The highlight was the visit to the Countryview project for children and young people with learning disabilities. I was honoured to meet and spend some time with some of the young children supported at the project by Quarriers – and I even got to sing a few nursery rhymes.”

Quarriers Chief Executive Paul Moore said: “The staff and people we support at these projects welcomed

the opportunity to talk with Derek about the services and of course he is welcome to come back to the village any time.”

Countryview offers regular short breaks to families who are caring for a child aged five to 19 years with a learning disability. The project can support up to eight children in a purpose-built bungalow that also has a multi-sensory room with visual and tactile play equipment.

Kelly House is a registered care home service providing accommodation and support to adults with physical and sensory disabilities, including epilepsy. The service provides 24-hour support for up to nine adults with complex needs.

The Scottish Epilepsy Centre (SEC) provides the only residential assessment and treatment centre in Scotland for adults with epilepsy. The SEC is an independent hospital which supports adults over the age of 16 from across the UK.

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EVENTS IN PAISLEY ABBEY Mass in B Minor Sun 3rd March - 7.30pM

A celebration of the Abbey’s 850th anniversary - Mass in B Minor J S Bach with the Choir of Paisley Abbey. Directed by George McPhee with soloists Dame Emma Kirkby, Libby Crabtree, Stuart Patterson, James Arthur. Accompanied by an orchestra of period instruments. Tickets: £15 (Nave); £18 (Gallery); £10 (Student). Available at the Abbey Shop; Abbey Office - 0141 889 7654 or at the door.

Flower & Fabric Festival Thurday 9th – Saturday 11th May - 10am - 4pm daily

In celebration of the Abbey’s 850 years, the Abbey Stitchers have been busy at work for some time creating a selection of striking and interesting quilts and hangings which will be displayed alongside floral art arrangements within the beautiful surroundings of the Abbey. Tickets £5 on sale at the Abbey shop or from the Abbey Office at 0141 889 7654 or more information at www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

Paisley Abbey Celebratory Pilgrimage SATURDAY 23RD MARCH - 11AM

Walk 7 of the Paisley Abbey celebratory Pilgrimage to Whithorn will leave Dailly Parish Church, Dailly South Ayrshire at 11am on Saturday 23rd March (Crossraguel Abbey will be opened by the National Trust for Scotland especially for us on 23rd March). Our destination will be the beautiful conservation village of Barr.

Everyone is welcome to join us on all or part of what promises to be a lovely walk through some of South East Ayrshire’s most magnificent countryside. Details will be made available on the Paisley Abbey website:- www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

Paisley Arts Centre - Entertainment Loretta Reid - Fri 1st - 7.30pm

Tickets: £12 (£10 conc). Jazz ‘n’ swing with a little bit ‘o’ zing!

Saturday Recitals

Easter Day Service

12.30pm on 23rd March - Andrew Tipple (bass) & 6th April - Graham Scott (organ). Tickets £5 at the door.

Live nationwide BBC broadcast, 10am on 31st March. www. paisleyabbey.org.uk for details.

SLICK - Tues 5th - 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 (£6 conc). Multi-award winning SLICK is a hilarious, dark and dirty exploration of greed, corruption and loss of innocence.

Seeing Differently - Thurs 7th - 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 (£6 conc). A wonderful mix of Indian classical dance & music.

Brave (PG) - Sat 9th - 2pm

Tickets: £4 (£2 conc). Set in Scotland in a rugged and mythical time, this film tells the story of Princess Merida and her adventures.

Bollywood Dance Workshop- Tues 12th - 6pm - 7pm Cost: £7.50 (£5.50 conc) - Suitable for 11yrs +.

Come along to this class of highly energetic and rhythmic Bollywood dance.

Devdas (PG) - Tues 12th - 7.15pm

Tickets: £4 (£2 conc) Language: Hindi (with English subtitles). A Bollywood classic, this film tells the story of Devdas and his ex-love Paro.

Southern Tenant Folk Union - Sat 16th - 7.30pm

Tickets: £12 (£10 conc). Southern Tenant Folk Union are one of the most highly acclaimed folk/ bluegrass bands in the UK right now.

How To Make A Killing In Bollywood - Fri 22nd - 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 (£6 conc). Raza Khan wants one last chance to hit the big time.

For all tickets and enquiries, call box office 0141 887 1010.

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St Vincent’s Hospice News Make A Will Information Sessions

Whatever your age, having an up to date Will is very important. It is the only way of ensuring that your wishes are carried out after you die and also ensures that your family and friends are provided for as you’d like. Making or updating your Will is a lot easier and less expensive than people think and furthermore can avoid distress and complexities for loved ones.

St Vincent’s Hospice is holding free one hour information sessions on “How to make a Will – the importance and benefits to you” on Tuesday 5th March at both 3pm and 7pm in their day hospice room at Midton Road, Howwood.

Coffee and cake included. More info on 01505 705635 or info@svh.co.uk or www.svh.co.uk

St Vincent’s Hospice Raffle

Here’s your opportunity to win £1,250 in celebration of St Vincent’s Hospice 25th Anniversary. Our special edition newsletter will be arriving on your doorstep along with our anniversary raffle tickets; £1,250 first prize with a second prize of £250 and 3 third prizes of £25, tickets are just £1each. You can also buy tickets at any of the 10 St Vincent’s Hospice shops, at the Barn Tearoom or from the hospice reception. Your ticket will provide care for local patients and their families.

New Group - Kilbarchan Friends of St Vincent’s Hospice – members wanted

If you live in Kilbarchan you can “Be Part Of It” and help St Vincent’s Hospice celebrate their 25th Anniversary year by joining the new fundraising group.

St Vincent’s Hospice want their Friends Group members to have fun, raise awareness and vital funds for patient care in the local area.

What’s involved: A commitment to four or more fundraising activities per year, for example, • Help sell tickets for the St Vincent’s Hospice official raffle • Assist with the annual Kilbarchan Door to Door collection • Hold your own event • Run a collection/bag-pack at your local supermarket • Plus anything else the group are interested in! Contact Lorraine on 01505 705635 or email lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk

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Cabaret Ceilidh Night Saturday 23rd March in Kilbarchan Bowling Club at 7.30pm.

Live Music for Functions

In aid of Marten’s Progress Fund. With artists from Celtic Connections. Promises to be a great night. Tickets £10 including buffet.

Call Jim on 331019 or 752689.

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Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Production An Evening with Calder Drama The Drama Club are pleased to announce that this year’s Stage Production for the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival has a slight innovation to earlier productions which we hope our audiences will enjoy.

The first part of our Double Bill is a hilarious spoof - ‘Out for The Count’ written by Martin Dowling. Count Nolyard has bought an estate house next to the Sewers which does not bode well for the daughters of the Sewer Family. But help is at hand in the shape of Professor Hertz Van Hyer, the famous Vampire Hunter and develops into a battle of wits between him and the Count. But which wit will win? You will have to see it to find out.

The second half features Dolly Johnson, Mrs Culfeathers, Doreen Hood, Margaret McGuire and a brief cameo role from Andy the Jannie, reprising a number of their favourite excerpts from ‘The Steamie’ by Tony Roper. For those of you who have seen ‘The Steamie’ you will enjoy seeing once more, the antics, humour, sadness and camaraderie of these four warm hearted Glaswegian housewives. For those of you who haven’t seen it, you are in for a treat.

Daffodil Appeal

The production will be staged in the McKillop Hall on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd March at 7.30pm.

Put your time to good use this March and become a collector for the Great Daffodil Appeal. By sparing just an hour or two, you’ll help us nurse many more people with terminal illnesses. £82 is the average amount a collector raises in just 2 hours!

Think you could do better? Then we’d love you to show us what you can do. There are other ways to get involved - just visit the website at www. mariecurie.org.uk to find out what you can do to help.

Oxfam Get Together to Celebrate Women’s International Day Join us for a sponsored walk in Lochwinnoch on Sunday 24th March at 11am. We will be walking from Johnshill to Castle Semple Estate and then into Lochwinnoch Village. This walk will take around 1 hour. Everyone is welcome to join in.

Kilmacolm Dramatic Society Rehearsals for ‘Calendar Girls’ are proceeding apace, with the actors beginning to settle into character & lines becoming imprinted. The major administrative roles, too, are taking shape, but we still need volunteers to help out both behind & in front of the scenes. If you think you might be available during the lead up to the play, & on 24th-27th April, please get in touch.

A Huge Thank You From Granny Maisie Granny Maisie would like to thank The Advertizer for their brilliant article on behalf of Michael Murphy which appeared in the February issue. A very big thanks also to all those who contributed to the total fund of over £1,500!

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Doors open 7pm. Tickets £6, Senior Citizens and Children £3. Refreshments, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will be on sale at the Bar. The Beacon Arts Centre is one of the finest new arts venues in the UK. The Beacon is the replacement for the Greenock Arts Guild Theatre which has served the community of Inverclyde well, for 65 years.

The Beacon is situated at Customhouse Quay in Greenock and overlooks the River Clyde estuary towards the hills of Argyll and Dunbartonshire.

There can be few theatres in the country which will enjoy such a spectacular location.

The Beacon has 2 performing spaces, together with a bistro/bar and 3 large rehearsal rooms which can be extended to provide a function suite for up to 170 guests.

The new building will use cutting-edge theatre technology as well as providing wi-fi, online bookings and infrastructure for live television broadcasts.

The main stage of the Beacon is one of the largest in Scotland. It will come fully equipped including a full height fly tower with counterweight system, two trap doors, retractable orchestra pit and generous wing space. The theatre can accommodate over 500 patrons on three levels.

Our studio can seat 130 people on retractable bleacher seating and is adaptable as a black box space, which can be used end stage, in the round, cabaret etc.

The Beacon will be a significant new addition to the Scottish theatre and arts scene and will become a venue of choice for touring productions as well as being a vibrant hub for the local community theatre groups within the area.

Visit the website at www.beaconartscentre.co.uk for further information and events.

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Everest Expedition in aid of Childreach International Alistair Laurie from Kilbarchan is currently in training to climb Mount Everest Base Camp in May this year in aid of Childreach International. Alistair, who served in the army for 4 years and spent 7 months on deployment in Afghanistan, is now in his first year at Glasgow University studying Mechanical Engineering. As well as being a demanding physical challenge it will also raise awareness and funds for an amazing charitable cause.

If you would like to help Children that are unable to help themselves then simply visit the donation website at: https://mydonate.bt.com/ fundraisers/alistairlaurie1 and click ‘Make a secure donation’. Alternatively you can text ‘UNLOCK 110513’ to 70007 to donate £3 directly. Thank you so much for reading and for any donations that you make. Every little donation can make a massive difference to children all over the world.”

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Beith Arts Sunday Concert Sunday 24th March - 2.30pm Beith Community Centre, Kings Road, Beith KA15 2BQ An afternoon filled with glorious melody provided by Coro Alba, in a very welcome return visit. A mixture of light opera and familiar “songs from the shows” will send you away singing. Tickets £8, concessions £6, students and children £1 (pay at the door). Find out more about future events on our website www.beitharts.com. All are very welcome.

Ardgowan Moonlight Walk Registration is now open for the Moonlight walk which will take place on Saturday 25th May at 10pm. Get your friends, family and colleagues together for a night out with a difference.

Take to the streets of Greenock for a sponsored 10K (6.2 miles) walk in aid of Ardgowan Hospice. Starting and finishing at Battery Park, Greenock, the walk will raise money for patients and their families facing the challenge of living with a life-limiting illness.

The entry fee is just £15 and every walker will receive a special Moonlight Walk t-shirt, light up headbopper, refreshments and a medal on completion of the walk and a well deserved breakfast at the finish line.

All we ask in return is that you try your hardest and raise a minimum of £30, as well as your £15 entry fee which should not be taken from sponsorship monies. Visit the website to register at www.ardgowanhospice.org.uk

Entertainment for March Do you Nomi? - Friday 1st Dorothy Paul - Saturday 2nd Murder, Marple & Me - Friday 8th Nicola Benedetti - Saturday 9th Inverclyde Gala Concert - Wed 13th & Thurs 14th Piaf - Friday 15th Bongo Fury - Saturday 16th Salvation Army Choir - Saturday 16th Les Miserables - Wed 20th - Sat 23rd A Play, a Pie & a Pint - Sunday 24th Inverclyde Voices - Tuesday 26th Memory Lane - Thursday 28th To book, or for further information, please call 01475 723723 or email info@beaconartscentre. co.uk www.beaconartscentre.co.uk

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(ABR) Cerebral Palsy Therapy Coming To Scotland A revolutionary new treatment for cerebral palsy is coming to Renfrewshire. The treatment, Advanced Bio-Mechanical Rehabilitation (ABR), was first used in Scotland when two-year-old Kilbarchan boy, Marten McFee, was diagnosed at 12 months of age with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Marten’s prognosis was so bleak that his parents became involved in a frantic search for an alternative therapy and stumbled across ABR while browsing the web. They made contact with the nearest ABR centre, which was in Flanders, Belgium, and Marten started his ABR treatment in January 2012.

Marten’s progress has been so dramatic that Bruce and his wife Iris successfully persuaded the Belgian team to bring their expertise to Scotland so that local children could benefit. A four-day programme of events in the Kilbarchan Guide Centre kicks off at 8pm on Friday 8th March with a public information evening. Entrance to this event is free, however, organisers say that online reservations are required with preference being given to parents of cerebral palsy children. Originally, the organisers planned for a maximum of 10 patients, however interest has been so high in this unique homebased therapy that advance bookings snapped up almost all the available places. Now organisers are flying in an extra ABR trainer from Belgium for the weekend, allowing them to provide an additional two places.

Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society The Society were delighted to welcome Kathleen Cartwright as our guest speaker on 14th February.

Kathleen’s presentation was entitled ‘Flowers of Kamchatka’. This is a peninsula on the far eastern coast of Russia, north of Japan. A flight from Moscow takes nine hours without crossing water, the longest internal flight in the world. It is a highly volcanic area and over many years continual eruptions of ash have resulted in a friable and mineral rich soil good for some flowers if not for crops.

One slide showed a currently active volcano and the flow of red hot lava coming down the mountain into the valley below. Many of the plants are totally endemic to the peninsula and are found naturally in no other part of the world. Due to the incredibly harsh growing conditions and climate, the growing season is very short. When the snows clear the plants break through and flower prolifically as if they know their time is limited.

Historically it had been a closed area of military significance but following ‘perestroika’, the area was opened up to other Russians and tourists alike.

Kathleen was able to show slides of a lively population of animals and birds, one of the most amazing being a capercaillie with two youngsters, we associate this bird so much with the Highlands of Scotland.

Kathleen explained that both her husband and herself were bio-chemists and were always keen gardeners. They decided to open a travel company about 15 years ago specialising in Arctic trips. Kathleen’s clear vision of the Kamchatka geography, enviable knowledge of plant species and easy style of presentation made an unforgettable experience for the members watching.

Thank you Kathleen.

We now move to our March evening. The Society welcomes Sheila Halliday to discuss ‘Perennials for all Seasons’ and we look forward to hearing her presentation on Thursday 14th March at 8pm in the British Legion Hall.

Everyone welcome to attend.

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Parents wishing to proceed to have their child assessed for ABR and to start training that weekend are advised to make contact before the event. At £5,000 a year ABR doesn’t come cheap – but the results are truly amazing. Plus, the new ABR Scotland team have a wealth of fund-raising experience that they are willing to share with parents and have already helped and encouraged with the establishment of fund-raising groups around individual children.

Marten’s dad, Bruce McFee, explained: “When Marten was eventually diagnosed as suffering from severe cerebral palsy he already displayed a number of significant problems. After a few weeks of ABR exercises, aimed primarily at his chest and abdominal areas, Marten came off oxygen. Within 3 months he ceased his violent refluxing. Shortly after he stopped having his strong spastic contractions and his involuntary movements greatly reduced.

His health improved so dramatically as his body strengthened that he was off all medication by the end of May – and he has never gone back. Now he no longer rigidly extends his body, the twist in his spine is almost gone and his rib cage is going back into position. ABR actually reverses the muscular and skeletal effects of the cerebral palsy.”

Mum Iris added: “Marten went from a wee boy who was very tense and used to cry in pain almost all the time, to one who is happy and relaxed.

Anyone who meets him comments on his big smile. Apparently some 60% of children who have cerebral palsy and are immobile have problems with their hips. We are trained in ABR techniques which we deliver for Marten at home. The exercises are really gentle and sometimes he falls asleep. We spend around 3 hours a day with Marten’s doing gentle manual compressions. We also now have a machine that works on his chest whilst he’s asleep. Thankfully, our ABR friends from Belgium had warned us about the possibility of his hips dislocating and gave us specific exercises to avoid it happening.

Sometimes people ask me how we manage to fit everything in, particularly as Marten has a twin brother, Erik. I reply, when you are the parent of a child with cerebral palsy you have a 24 hour job, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Isn’t it better to spend some of that time actually making him better?

Besides, if you can’t do this for your own child – just who would you do it for!”

For further information on ABR and the events in Kilbarchan between 8th – 11th March go to www.abrscotland.com

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25 Years of Red Nose Day! Africa is changing. Thanks to your enormous compassion and generosity and because of what Africans are doing for themselves, things are getting better in a huge way. Let’s keep up the good work.

You can join the Red Nose Day fun!

Red Nose Day is back on Friday 15th March and doing something funny for money has never been easier, or more fun. Our top team of seven famous faces have all the ideas you’ll ever need. They are… the Fun Raisers.

FRIDAY 15TH MARCH DO SOMETHING FUNNY FOR MONEY!

If you want to get some ideas and tools to help raise some money this Red Nose Day, visit the website at www.rednoseday.com

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13

Alzheimer Scotland “Do you have a diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia or similar illness and you want to have your voice heard to make positive changes to improve services, why not join us?”

The local branch is run voluntarily by carers and those with a diagnosis.

Among our aims is to campaign to improve services, raise public awareness, facilitate activities.

We meet in “Your Voice” premises, Clyde Square, Greenock on 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1.30pm til 3pm.

Join Team Erskine & Challenge Yourself To Raise Funds For Veterans The veterans charity Erskine still have places left for this year’s Edinburgh 10k, Half Marathon and Team Relay on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th May but time is running out to sign up for Erskine, so don’t delay!

This is your chance to have a great day out, keep fit and help care for Scottish veterans. The Edinburgh Marathon is Scotland’s top running festival with places in high demand. Runners of all abilities are invited to run for the ex-Service men and woman cared for by Erskine. Public entries for the marathon have now closed and charity places are limited. Erskine has everything you will need to join Team Erskine including; an Erskine t-shirt and information pack. The team relay is a great challenge for team building and a brilliant day for groups of 4.

Erskine cares for 1,100 veterans each year and relies heavily on voluntary donations to continue to provide the excellent of care for which it is renowned. By running for Erskine you are helping us to restore dignity, provide first class care and re-build shattered lives.

Alan Moss, Erskine Fundraiser said “This is a great way to kick start 2013 by taking on this exciting challenge. Running the Edinburgh Marathon is a terrific achievement and by running for Erskine you can make a real difference in the life of our brave veterans.”

For a free running pack please call 0141 814 4555, email team@erskine. org.uk or visit www.erskine.org.uk

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MARCH 2013

e: info@advertizer.co.uk Motor Neuron Disease Coffee Morning New Community Centre Kilmacolm (first floor) 10am to 12noon Come along and show your support for MND Scotland. Entry just £2.50.

Guild Spring Coffee Morning

what’s on...

Thurs 28 Feb - 16 March

Decorus - ‘Gift of Beauty’ 29 Stewart Place, Bridge of Weir.

Purchase two products, one to be skincare, and choose three super travel size prodcuts from a selection of 10 - worth £58. See advert on page 13 for details. Tel: 01505 873636

Fri 1 March Royal Society for Protection of Birds MacMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive Renfrew PA4 8LX 7.30pm This will be an illustrated talk by Mike Betts entitled Bhutan: “The Unexplored East”.

Fair Trade Coffee afternoon Bishopton Primary School, PA7 5BE 1.30pm to 3pm Entry is £2 per adult, free for children, payable at the door.

Lochwinnoch Playgroup Quiz/ race night Lochbarr, Lochwinnoch 8pm Cost £5pp which will include entry to the Quiz and a light buffet. You can pay on the night, but to register your team (ideally 6-8 people) please contact Cheryl on 0774 8859 683 or Paula on 0777 217 3910.

World Day of Prayer St Columba Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm 1.30pm Written by the Christian Women of France ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’.

We would be very pleased to see you at the Service. Tel: Maureen Russell, Convenor on 01505 872905 for further details.

World Day of Prayer St Fillan’s Church, Houston 7.30pm This is a “Churches Together” or ecumenical service which is open to all. This year’s service was written by the Christian women of France and is entitled, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Alors, bienvenue a tous! This is a joint effort between St Fillan’s and Houston and Killellan Kirk, who alternate every year.

Film Night at the Bridge The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 6.30pm “Now Voyager” (PG) - a classic from 1942 and a love story ‘now, then and forever’ with Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains and Gladys Cooper. Entry free, but donations to Bridge funds very welcome. Film starts at 7pm.

Sat 2 March Junior Church Fayre Kilbarchan West Church Hall 10am to 12noon Coffee, stalls and fun for all the family. Adults - £2.50, Children - free

Sherwood Greenlaw Church, Paisley 10am to 12noon Usual stalls £2 payable at door on day. All welcome.

Inverclyde Wind Farm Public Exhibition Oak Mall Shopping Centre, Greenock 10am to 4pm At the Exhibitions you will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals, ask questions and put forward your views to the 2020 Renewables project team directly. Further information on the proposals can be obtained from by contacting Alasdair Macleod on 01475 749950 or at inverclyde@2020renewables. co.uk.

Wedding Fair Kilmacolm Cargill Centre Featuring a wide selection of local businesses offering professional wedding services at very competitive prices. This is a must visit event for any bride or groom to be with the chance to browse our varied local services in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

ENERGY advice ROADSHOW Kilmacolm Cargill Centre 9am-3pm Hosted by Solar Power Scotland, for locals within Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

There will be company surveyors there providing free advice on renewables with product demonstrations and complimentary refreshments.

Sun 3 March Erskine youth council Open Night Bargarran Community Centre, Erskine We are trying to make people aware of the EYC and to invite new members. We have been involved in organising events in Erskine from many years and we hope to continue to do so. If you want to be involved and have a say in what happens in Erskine then come along and find out more and join us!

Mass in B Minor Paisley Abbey 7.30pm Accompanied by an orchestra of period instruments Tickets: £15 (Nave); £18 (Gallery); £10 (Student) Available at the Abbey Shop; Abbey Office - 0141 889 7654; or at the door.

Information at www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

Tue 5 March ‘Make A Will’ Information Sessions Day hospice room at Midton Road, Howwood 3pm & 7pm Whatever your age, having an up to date Will is very important. St Vincent’s Hospice is holding free one hour information sessions on “How to make a Will - the importance and benefits to you”. Coffee and cake included.

More info on 01505 705635 or info@svh.co.uk or www.svh.co.uk

Kilmacolm Civic Trust Annual general meeting Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 7.30pm to 9pm Followed by a presentation titled “Riverside Inverclyde Regeneration - Port Glasgow to Gourock” by Bill Nicol - Chief Executive of Riverside Inverclyde. Non-members of the Civic Trust who would like to hear the talk will be very welcome at 8.15pm.

t: 01505 613340

regular events weekly every Tuesday Birkmyre Park Running Club Birkmyre Park Gym, Kilmacolm 7pm Join us for an enjoyable and invigorating run in and around Kilmacolm. Tel: 01475 715750.

every WEDNESDAY Line dancing Bishopton Primary School 7pm - 8.30pm Join us for some fun - all abilities welcome.

Call Mellissa on 07970 396212 for further details.

every Thursday Kilmacolm Walkers Birkmyre Park Pavilion, Kilmacolm 10am Join us for an enjoyable health walk in and around Kilmacolm. Tel: David Goddard 01505 874192 or email kilmacolmwalkers@ talktalk.net

monthly 1st Sunday Car Boot Sale Bridge of Weir Car Park 9am-1pm Set up from 8am - £5 per car. Call 01505 615992 for more details.

2nd Wednesday Inverclyde Carers Outreach Surgery Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 11am-2pm For further information email enquiries@ inverclydecarerscentre.org.uk or call: 01475 735180.

2nd Saturday ‘Brunch & Browse’ St Fillan’s Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm 10am-2pm Home made soups, home baking, tea, coffee, books & lots of stalls. Great value! Disabled access. £4.

farmers markets 1st Saturday Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 10am-2pm (“The Square”)

1st & 3rd Sunday Loch Lomond Shores 10am-3pm Tel: 07977 179 861

2nd & last Saturday Paisley County Square 9am-1pm Tel: 01655 770217

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22/02/2013 09:41:26

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PAISLEY and GRYFFE TRANSPORT FORUM What has happened about those, some would say grandiose, proposals we put forward last spring for the eventual re-opening of the Linwood, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm Railway Line?

Well, we had to put these forward with a strong sense of urgency to forestall yet another threat to the infrastructure of the line which would have prevented for good its future re-opening. In 2001, it was a housing project on the former Bridge of Weir Station site, then in 2012 it was access to a proposed supermarket on the adjacent Moss Road Park area.

Both these projects have now “bitten the dust”, so the sense of urgency has to some degree passed. Nevertheless we will have to keep a watchful eye open for future ill-conceived planning applications which may attempt to ‘get through the net’. Renfrewshire’s Local Development Plan, covering the years 2015-19, which has just been published, seems to contain no threat to the line’s infrastructure, though a proposed large housing development on the former Murchison Hospital site at Brookfield should be ‘encouraged’ to accommodate access to a future Brookfield station.

The groundwork we have done during the last few months in pursuit of the future re-opening of the line has shown that it is perfectly feasible and that the cost would not be unduly excessive when compared with the costs of other rail restoration projects which have already been completed or are being approved. We must be able to show, however, that there is a local need and the evaluation of this should be not just on the basis of existing potential users, many of whom have had to suffer in silence with appalling and worsening commuting difficulties, but also, and in particular, on the needs of future generations, our children and grand-children.

The Renfrewshire Local Plan (which, quite as expected, shows no intended plans for the future restoration of the railway) indicates that the population of Renfrewshire has actually FALLEN by about 7% since the last Local Plan was published and the population of Gryffe has fallen even more, around 11%. Whereas this could be argued as diminishing the case for the restoration of the railway, it is more plausible to argue that it indicates an unrest, particularly amongst younger people, at the inadequacy of public transport opportunities in the area, so as to enable them to seek educational and employment opportunities in the ‘outside world’.

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Once the more pressing rail schemes affecting Renfrewshire, such as the Glasgow Airport Rail Link and the ‘Crossrail’ connection within Glasgow, linking the lines north and south of the Clyde (both currently being vigorously pursued behind the scenes) get off the ground, then you can be sure we can, and will, bring the case for re-opening the Bridge of Weir/Kilmacolm line to the fore once again.

Keeping pace with what is taking place on the public transport scene locally, over the rest of the UK and throughout the rest of the world is a gigantic task in itself and needs more effort than the present limited numbers of active people who compose PGTF can achieve. It is, however, a very revealing and rewarding experience, since it shows just how much this country (choose for yourself whether by this we mean Scotland or the UK!) has fallen behind.

We need to do a great deal of catching up! Picking up and glancing through contemporary copies of the readily available rail magazines such as ‘Rail’, ‘Today’s Railways, UK and Europe’ and ‘Rail Technology’ will show exactly what we mean.

If you feel that the future of our public transport system, particularly rail, is an important issue, why not join us today and be prepared to actively participate in our discussions, lobbying exercises and information dissemination activities. We have no plans, as yet, for reporting back to the public on a regular basis, such as through some form of newsletter, simply because us activists all lead busy lives and have ‘other things on our plate’, not to mention no ‘bottomless pockets’ to deal with the administrative costs involved. Our frequency of such reporting back will, of necessity therefore, be influenced by the amount of back-up support we receive and, of course, the significance of any ‘break-through’ achievements.

Brian Turner, Hon. Convenor, Paisley and Gryffe Transport Forum (PGTF), e-mail: paisleygryffe.tf@gmail.com

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MARCH 2013

e: info@advertizer.co.uk Tue 5 March Langbank Tennis Club Open Meeting Langbank Church Hall 7.30pm The purpose of this is to inform the whole village of the possible closure of the Tennis Club after this year if no members can be found to help with the running of the club.

IF NO INTEREST IS FORCOMING CLOSURE IS INEVITABLE!

Wed 6 March Junior Casting Tuition Night Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm to 9.30pm Bridge of Weir Angling Club have organised demonstrations by Peter Anderson, British, European and World Fly Casting Champion.

Fly-Tying demonstrations by Alistair Keir, world renowned fly-tyer and inventor of ‘Sunburst’. Permits can be paid on the night.

All youngsters under 18 welcome as well as senior members.

Thu 7 March Inverclyde Wind Farm Public Exhibition Kilmacolm Cargill Centre 2pm to 8pm At the Exhibitions you will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals, ask questions and put forward your views to the 2020 Renewables project team directly. Further information on the proposals can be obtained from by contacting Alasdair Macleod on 01475 749950 or at inverclyde@2020renewables. co.uk.

Fri 8 March Pancake Tea Lochwinnoch Parish Church 2pm to 4pm Baking stall, Admission £2

Bridge of Weir Gala Queen Selection Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm Including her Attendants.Completed form (signed by a parent or guardian) will be collected from the local primary schools by Friday 1st March. No applications will be accepted on the night.

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t: 01505 613340 Fri 8 March Ladies Pamper Night Bishopton Scout Hut 7.30pm Tickets are £3.50 which will include a “glass of bubbly” on arrival. We will have girls offering a variety of pampers from massage to waxing, nails to facials.

Sat 9 March Aspen Tree Day Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochwinnoch 10am We are looking for lots of willing volunteers to help us plant 100 trees grown in our nursery along by the River Calder. A short talk will be conducted at the centre prior to the planting.

Light refreshments will be provided on return to the centre.

Senior Citizens Scottish Night Howwood Village Hall 6pm/6.15pm This event is open to all Howwood residents aged 60 and over. Tickets can be ordered from Bill David - 01505 703500; Linda Smith - 01505 705157; Douglas Paxton - 01505 705967; Christine Scarsbrook - 01505 704083.

Sun 10 March Fairtrade Fortnight Stall Houston & Killellan Kirk After morning service (at approximately 12noon) There will be quality foodstuffs and tasteful crafts. Coffee, tea and homebaking.

TUE 12 March Bridge of Weir Festival Meeting Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm Open to all interested parties. Anyone wishing to take a pitch on Gala Day should contact Meg Millar on 01505 690704 for a pitch application form. Each pitch 12’ x12’ is £15 payable at time of application.

Wed 13 - Sun 24 March Lochwinnoch Arts Festival

Over a week of exciting events including an art exhibition in the Library. See the website at www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk for further information, or see main article in this issue.

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local news

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22/02/2013 09:41:51

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MARCH 2013

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

t: 01505 613340

Sat 16 March

Wed 20 March

Sat 23 March

Sun 24 March

Guiding Spring Fayre

St Columba’s Former Pupils’ AGM

Paisley Abbey Pilgrimage

House For Sale Open Day

Dailly Parish Church, Dailly South, Ayrshire 11am

51 Middlepenny Road, Langbank, PA14 6XE 1.30pm to 4.30pm

Walk 7 of the Paisley Abbey celebratory Pilgrimage to Whithorn (Crossraguel Abbey will be opened by the National Trust for Scotland especially for us today). Our destination will be the beautiful conservation village of Barr.

Everyone is welcome to join us on all or part of what promises to be a lovely walk. Details on the website. www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

4 Beds, 3 Public & 2 Bathrooms. Check us out on Facebook, Zoopla, Rightmove or BestMove Scotland.

St Columba’s Church Hall, Kilmacolm 10.30am to 12.30pm Entry £2.50 adults and £1.50 children, incl tea/ coffee/homebaking. Please support Kilmacolm Rainbows, Brownies and Guides at our Spring Fayre, where there will be plenty of fun crafts, homebaking, book stalls, tea and coffee, bacon rolls (£1.50) and lots more.

Sat 16 March Quiz & fish supper night Houston and Killellan Kirk You can expect to have a wonderful time at this event. Please give them your support!

Afternoon Tea

Brookfield Village Hall 2pm Kilbarchan West Church West Life Team Tickets £7.

Social Networking - the nuts and bolts The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 10am to 1pm Confused by the various social sites out there?

Come along and hear more. Tickets: 01505 610272 or email ellenarnison@hotmail.com

Sun 17 March Passion Story St Fillan’s Episcopal Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm 6pm to 7pm An invitation to hear the Passion Story from Luke’s Gospel with the sacred music of J S Bach.

Wedding Show Salerno Suite, Ingliston Country Club, Bishopton 12noon to 5pm Free entry. Fashion show exhibits and wedding packages on the day. Make sure you come early.

Afternoon Tea Brookfield Village Hall 2pm Run by the Westlife Team of Kilbarchan West Church. Tickets £7.

TUE 19 MARCH BoW TARA Meeting Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7.30pm We urge you to come along to our monthly meetings which are held on the third Tuesday on each month from 7.30pm onwards in the Cargill Hall. The Association has been operating since 1998 but we still feel a lot of the Tenants and Residents don.t know about our monthly meetings and how we can support you. Over the years we have resolved many issues in the village whether it was housing, roads or environmental. No matter how small or how large your issue is we look at every issue as a priority to be resolved in the interest of the Tenants and Residents.

St Columba’s Senior School, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm All former pupils, former staff and friends of the School are welcome to attend. www.stcolumbas.org.

Thu 21 March Film Nights at the Bridge The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of Weir Doors 6.30pm, film 7pm “True Grit” (PG) - A great western also staring Glen Campbell and Kim Darby. For all events, entry is free, but any donations to Bridge funds is very welcome.

Fri 22 March Visibility Road Show Elderslie Village Hall 10am to 1pm Products and services to assist people who have a visual impairment. Call 0141 332 4632 or visit the website at www.visibility.org.uk

Sat 23 March Kilbarchan East Church Easter Extravaganza Kilbarchan East Church Hall 10am to 12noon Easter egg hunt in the grounds with a decorated hat and egg competition. Hot-cross buns will be served with coffee. Entrance £2 - there will be home-baking and an Easter gift stall.

Kidston Kids Nearly New Sale Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm 10am-12pm If you have any toys, children’s clothes or baby equipment you wish to sell or donate, or if you are looking to buy some things for your family, please come along. Items over £5 can either be donated or sold at a 50/50 split. Smaller items will be treated as donations. Items can be delivered to the Kidston Hall on Friday 22nd between 7-9pm.

Handicraft Show Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 10am to 4pm Renfrewshire Federation Women’s Rural Institutes. Tearoom, baking, sales table, raffles and tombola. Entry £1.

Paisley Abbey Saturday Recitals Paisley Abbey 12.30pm Andrew Tipple (bass) Tickets £5 on sale at the door

Drop-in Kirk Café Lochwinnoch Parish Church 10am to 12noon Tea. Coffee. Scones. Pancakes. Cakes etc Adult £2, Children £1.

Sat 23 - Sun 24 March ON-X Linwood sport and community centre Pre-Open Weekend Brediland Road, Linwood A weekend to remember with guided tours, demonstrations, give-aways, controlled air swimmers and rides and inflatable for the kids all free to promote and showcase this exciting new leisure destination. See main advert on the centre pages of this issue.

Brookfield Art Club Art Show & Sale Brookfield Village Hall 12pm to 5pm Admission £1. Tea room with home baking available. Come along and view the stunning paintings on offer.

Beith Arts Concert Beith Community Centre, Kings Road, Beith KA15 2BQ 2.30pm An afternoon filled with glorious melody provided by Coro Alba, in a very welcome return visit. A mixture of light opera and familiar ‘songs from the shows’ will send you away singing. Tickets £8, conc £6, students and children £1 (pay at the door). Find out more about future events on our website www. beitharts.com. All are very welcome.

Sponsored walk Johnshill, Lochwinnoch 11am Oxfam get together to celebrate Women’s International Day. We will be walking to Castle Semple Estate and into Lochwinnoch Village.

Everyone welcome.

Sun 31 March British Summer Time!

Yippee! Today is the day the clocks go forward by one hour!

Easter Day Service Paisley Abbey 10am Live nationwide BBC broadcast. See www. paisleyabbey.org.uk for details

Sun 31 Mar - Thu 4 Apr Lamont Farm Project Barrhill Road, Erskine 1.30pm to 3.30pm 31st March - Easter fun day; 1st April - Owl magic; 2nd April - Reptile day; 3rd April Easter theme arts ‘n’ crafts; 4th April - Pony rides. Contact us on 0141 812 5335 or visit the website at www.lamontfarm.org.uk

Fri 5 April Film Nights at the Bridge The Bridge, Main St, Bridge of Weir Doors 6.30pm, Film 7pm “Cinema Paradiso” (PG) - Italian Academy Award winner which revisits the cinema in 1940’s and 50’s Sicilly. With Jacques Perin, Phillipe Noiret and directed by Guiseppe Tornatore. Entry is free, but any donations to Bridge funds is very welcome.

Thu 11 - Sat 13 April The 11th Habbies Art Class Exhibition Kilbarchan Guide Centre Thurs 11th and Fri 12th April, between 11am and 8pm and on Sat 13th April from 10am to 4pm. The entrance fee is just £1 - tea/ coffee & raffle.

Cabaret Ceilidh Night Kilbarchan Bowling Club 7.30pm In aid of Marten’s Progress Fund. With artists from Celtic Connections. Promises to be a great night. Tickets £10 including buffet.

St Columba’s FP & School Hockey/Rugby Matches Gryffe Rd/Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm Please come along to support the teams for the annual Former Pupils’ hockey and rugby matches. The FP v School hockey match begins at 9.30am at the Astroturf. School and Former Pupils’ Rugby matches are from 10.30am at Birkmyre Park. Refreshments will be served in Junior School along with the presentation of awards – please come along, all welcome. www.st-columbas.org.

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22/02/2013 09:41:55

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local news

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Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Round-up Fergus Ewing MSP Launches Year of Natural Scotland

Parkhill Woodland Trails

Clyde Muirshiel welcomed Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Tourism to Castle Semple Centre. Mr Ewing was there to officially launch the Year of Natural Scotland at Clyde Muirshiel with an exclusive Wildlife Safari canoe tour of Castle Semple Loch.

A 4km circular all abilities trail through Parkhill Wood is now complete.

The trail can be accessed from Lochwinnoch going past Castle Semple Visitor Centre or use the Johnshill and the new path though the field to the gap in the estate wall. Look out for the wildlife information signs or pick up a ‘Parkhill Woodland Trails’ leaflet from a Park Visitor Centre.

Fancy joining us on the next Canoe Raft Tour? It’s happening on Saturday 16th March! Look online for full details.

New Volunteer Programmes Online NOW! If you are looking for a great way of meeting like-minded people, getting out and active, or are keen to learn a range of new skills, the Regional Park can help. We have a Thursday programme underway at Castle Semple and a Saturday programme at Greenock Cut Centre. Look on the Keen Cyclist? Read on!

Park’s volunteer page for more details We’re looking for some interested and other opportunities or contact the parties and individuals to get in Rangers at the Visitor Centre. touch and help us improve, create or develop some bike routes. Could you volunteer an hour or so to give us your thoughts or maybe even contribute to a discussion on the topic? We need Fri 8th - Sat 23rd - Craft Fair your expertise! Register your interest A second chance to celebrate Lochwinnoch Stargazing Evening Arts Festival at Castle Semple, see Sat or simply give us a few lines with The last evening of the season with staff from 16th March for details. the Coats Observatory in Paisley at one of the where you like to cycle in the Park few dark sky sites in Renfrewshire. Tonight’s Sat 30th - routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk

Sailfaris on the Firth of Clyde Join the ‘Clyde Muirshiel Explorer’ for a wildlife tour by sailing boat for a memorable, fully catered, wildlife viewing experience on the Firth of Clyde aboard a luxury 45 foot yacht.

Gain wildlife identification skills as well as sailing skills from the Yachtmaster. This trip is unique to the Year of Natural Scotland and costs just £330 per person. Tour dates are 11th– 14th April or 18th – 21st April. Book now by calling 01505 842 882 Ex 20.

Events in March/April:

topic will be ‘Earth Observation’. Indoor lecture if poor weather.

WHERE: Muirshiel Visitor Centre WHEN: 7pm - 9pm MORE INFO: 01505 842 803

Sat 16th - Craft Fair

Celebrate Lochwinnoch Arts Festival with a browse around this local craft fair, you are sure to find something unique.

WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 11am - 3pm MORE INFO: 01505 842 882 Ex20

Sat 16th - Canoe Raft Tour

Join us for an exclusive look at the wildlife of Castle Semple from the water. Learn a few paddling techniques and watch out for otters as you explore the loch’s beautiful built heritage of the Semple homeland.

WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 10.30am - 1pm MORE INFO: 01505 842 882 Ex20

Sun 17th - Natural Windchimes

Make some classic windchimes from natural materials. Said to ward off evil spirits and negative energies, these windchimes will make a pleasing addition to your home or garden!

WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 1pm - 3pm MORE INFO: 01475 521 458

Sat 23rd - British Trust for Ornithology Practical Birding Day

Join the Rangers & a BTO ringer for a varied day that will cover a live bird ringing, nestbox challenge plus building and some basic bird ID with sound. Please bring a packed lunch.

WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 9am - 3pm MORE INFO: 01505 842 882 Ex20

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Open for Summer

Summer opening hours begin at all Visitor Centres, drop in and chat to a Ranger or stop for a coffee and admire the beautiful countryside.

WHERE: All Centres WHEN: Castle Semple 10am - 5pm daily, Muirshiel & Greenock Cut 11am - 4pm daily

Sat 30th - Decorated Eggs & Easter crafts

Decorate an egg for Easter and then take part in the egg rolling competition. Collect some willow to take home for an Easter tree WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 1pm - 3pm MORE INFO: 01475 521 458

Sun 31st - Easter Sunday

Go for a walk in the woods and see if you can see an Easter bunny or a hare!

Mon 1 – Fri 5 Apr & Mon 8 - Fri 12 Apr - Junior Multi Activity Weeks

An opportunity to try out different survival skills as well as lots of activities and watersports!

WHERE: Castle Semple WHEN: Five FULL days 10am - 3.30pm on either week COST: £145

Advanced booking essential for all events. Contact the appropriate centre to book your FREE place.

Charges apply for outdoor activity courses.

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MARCH 2013

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Kilmacolm Camera Club Members have enjoyed a cornucopia of photographic presentations in the past weeks.

Last month, we had a superb show on “Underwater Photography,” from Gordon MacSkimming, of Wemyss Bay. We were treated to a fantastic sequence of underwater shots.

The colours were astonishing, particularly when many were taken off the west coast of Scotland.

Our Second League Competition was judged by Gordon McMann, with the subject being “Sky and Water”.

We had an interesting variety of images on this subject and the winners of the Print Section were:- 1 Bill Ham (“Scallop”); 2 David Addison (“St Ronan’s Bay, Iona”); 3 Tina Marr (“Yukon Lake”). Top three in the Digital (shown here) were:- 1. Bill Ham (“Converging Furrows”); 2. David Walker (“Breaker”); 3.

David Addison (“Baile Mor Beach, Iona”).

We also enjoyed an evening of audio-visual sequences by Club members.

Among a varied selection, we had sequences spotlighting Jordan, Norway, Doon the Watter, Kilmacolm (historic buildings and familiar views), Stained Glass and Flowers.

Another successful “Night at the Movies”!

We welcomed back Dennis Alyshev, of Queen’s Park Camera Club, with another groundbreaking series of 3-D images.

If anything, the quality of these images outdid his show last year. You could almost reach out and pluck a leaf from the nearest branch!

Venue: Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01; Tuesday evening, time 7.30pm. Contacts: Billy Blair, Tel: 873383; Janice Stevenson, Tel 873595. Come along, you will be made most welcome.

t: 01505 613340

local History

by Renfrewshire Local History Forum

Early Africans in Renfrewshire We might think that folk of other nationalities coming to Scotland is a relatively modern phenomena. Ever since the Portuguese ventured down the West African coast in the 1400s, Africans were present in Scottish ports. Alan Steel has shown that in the 1490s there were a number of Africans in the court of James IV. The largest number of Africans to arrive at any one time were brought over by colonial merchants returning from the colonies from the late 1600s.

Colonel McDowall of Castle Semple was one of the earliest in Scotland to bring large numbers of Africans to Renfrewshire and Glasgow from his sugar plantations in the Leeward Islands. Although these Africans undoubtedly started out as slaves, in Scotland they had a number of wider roles.

In 1727 the Colonel brought back two young boys, one for a friend, and another as a trusted companion for his son at the High School in Glasgow.

Presumably having a black companion made the young William McDowall stand out as unusual and exotic, just like his father parading down Argyle street with black footmen on his coach. The Colonel’s first wife, Mary, brought back a retinue of personal servants from St Kitts in 1728. Mary died shortly after of smallpox and is buried in Glasgow Cathedral. The fate of her Africans is unknown.

Apart from many servants, Colonel McDowall brought back several skilled Africans as estate workers, one of whom worked for many years as a carpenter at Castle Semple. The Colonel left little record of how he treated Ruins of McDowell’s mansion house his servants and assistants, at Castle Semple whether black or white. However, we can gain a little insight from his view of the tenants on his estate.

As we may imagine, the gap between landowners and their tenants in the early eighteenth century was a wide one. When he purchased Castle Semple on returning from the Caribbean, the Colonel began making great changes to the landscape, which had a large affect on the daily lives of his new estate tenants. He quickly fell out with them, calling them ‘scoundrels’ and ‘enemies to the laudable spirit of improvement’. When the Colonel began draining Castle Semple Loch in 1726, he wrote ‘such is the temper of the creatures here that they choose to live upon potatoes and oat meal on their own dunghills’. If this was his view of his Scottish tenants, we can only guess what he thought of his Africans.

Were the Africans at Castle Semple content? Although their lives were presumably better than their fellows toiling on the Colonel’s Caribbean sugar plantations, they were still his chattels, and he could do what he liked with them. One example was named Cato. Cato was born in West Africa around 1700, and shipped to the Caribbean. He was subsequently brought home to Castle Semple, and spent many years working on the estate. However in 1748 Cato ran away, and the following advert appeared in the Glasgow press: ‘Run away from Colonel McDowell of Castle-Sempill, upon the 30th of January, a Negro man, named CATO: he is middle aged, pretty tall, illlegs, with squat or broad feet. Any person who apprehends him, or gives any information of him to Colonel McDowell, shall have a sufficient reward paid him’ (Glasgow Journal 25th January 1748).

Regardless of what the Colonel thought of his Africans, the last word comes from his second wife, Isabella, the daughter of a prominent landowner near Edinburgh. The following was recorded by Lochwinnoch historian Andrew Crawford: “The old Colonel brought home from St Kitts about 1727 a negro as a flunkie or footman. This blackamore was not suitable to the refined taste of Lady McDowall. She kept a constant war with her husband about this black. She advised the laird to put the Negro away. One day he ordered his carriage to be prepared for a long journey. She asked him what was his business. He replied that he would not live without his favourite Negro and he was determined to separate from her. She was obliged to be content with the black colour of the Negro skin”. © 2013 Stuart Nisbet

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Real Radio ‘Bring A Pound To Work Day’ returns on Thursday 7th March!

Australian bird Gerry Ward

Real Radio are once again proud to be supporting CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland).

CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) are celebrating their 21st year of caring for children who have life-shortening conditions for which there is no known cure.

Donating by mobile phone is easy, if you’d like to help us then simply send a text message with the word POUND at the start to 63344. You’ll be charged £1.50 plus the cost of a standard text message and we’ll let you know once successful.

Gaudi’s building - Hugh Kerr

Diaporama Out meeting this month was a variety of sequences by Gerry and Hugh. Gerry took us from the Flora and Fauna of Western Australia, Around the World in 40 Sunsets to Puglia and Spain. There were lots of super images particularly the beautiful coloured sunsets and most had lovely sunshine to cheer us on a cold winters night. Hugh took us to Barcelona and also did a trilogy all about Gaudi - his designs, architecture, and his life story. They were superb and aweinspiring. Our next meeting 7.30pm at Kilmacolm Community Centre is on Monday 11th March and will be a technical evening. Everyone is welcome.

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All proceeds received from the mobile phone networks will go to CHAS; Real Radio does not make any money from the message and they cover the cost of the technology & facilities to ensure we can raise as much as possible.

Please make sure you have the bill payers permission before sending the message.

To donate more than £1…

If you would like to donate more than £1 you can donate to CHAS via Justgiving text message.

To donate text CHAS13£ then the amount to 70070. For example to donate £5 - CHAS13£5 or to donate £10 - CHAS13£10

Energy Advice Roadshow Solar Power Scotland will be holding an free renewable energy advice day on Saturday 2nd March from 9am till 3pm.

We will have company surveyors there on the day to provide technical information, product demonstrations and all you need to know what renewables.

The day will be held at Kilmacolm Community Centre with complimentary refreshments.

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in business with Steve Povey

Love them or Hate them?

Well – how do you feel about emails! Blessing or curse? Most of us will probably be ranging between the two depending on what our information needs are and how we feel at the time. But how can we control them, use them as a real benefit, create emails which get response, and avoid creating e-mails people misunderstand. Oh and how easy that one is, we write it one way, it’s read in another and then a myriad of emails ensue to get the message conveyed correctly. There is one really good answer – pick up the phone! Yes actually call someone. It will get the message over the way you want, creates better relationships, saves time in wasted emails, gains more information and opportunities, especially in business.

It’s too easy to deal with those difficult, uncomfortable or emotional issues from behind the keyboard. It gets the job ticked off, yet easily leads to a bad response. Don’t’ get me wrong I love emails; they have become the lifeblood of information and data, in the speed of light. They help us pack so much more in a day, reach hundreds of people all at once and send lots of documents, saving postage and our valuable time.

iT blog with Colin Fyfe of Colcom Getting used to new things can be a nuisance, where possible I avoid it.

Whether it is cutlery, cars or keyboards I don’t like change. I have been working recently in a Dental practice installing a new system; the old one was no longer suitable so the time had come to change, root and branch. I sympathised with the staff that were looking forward to ‘go live’ like turkeys do Christmas. When the time came and the system was implemented all went well; however there is always a hankering for parts of the old software system; a wee button missing here, a function there. It’s almost like it had a personality.

Windows 8 has a personality; a split personality. I have not been the only one to have had my patience tried to the limit with the newest operating system and have on a few occasions been asked to revert machines to Windows 7 or to make the new one more user friendly. With this in mind I suggest to anyone ‘Classic Shell’ available free on www.ninite.com. It will re-jig your Windows 8 operating system back to normality, or perhaps familiarity. Whether you are on the verge of breaking point or just interested to see how Windows 8 could have looked if tablets were never invented, try it out. In fact, while you are in ninite.com you may also update a couple of essentials, Java and Adobe Flash, no harm. To be clearer, the Windows 8 OS is fine; it just takes a little patience, and maybe a tablet.

Sorry no IT Blog last month, I confess that I can run out of ideas, If there is anything you would like me to write about or if you have a question, please let me know at colin@colcom.info, @colcom (on twitter) or look for Colcom on Facebook.

Meetings for curious minds The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow 211th Lecture Series.

All meetings take place on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Main Lecture Theatre (3.25), John Anderson Building, Strathclyde University, Rottenrow East, Glasgow. G4 0NG. Non members welcome - disable access. www.royalphil.org or email info@ royalphil.org

The Minerva Lecture

6th March - Lord Patten, Chancellor of Oxford University. Collapsing certainties - the changing world order

The Kelvin Lecture

20th March - PRECEDED BY AGM. Lord Rees, Astronomer Royal Life in the cosmos - planets, galaxies and the universe 27th March - Members’ Talks

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Now there is a lot we could discuss here, and in other articles and training sessions we can do that.

For now here are 5 of 101 tips to keep you sane and popular.

1 Use emails for what they are good at; sending and receiving information and documents, confirming, being friendly and complimentary.

2 Don’t use them for anything emotional or to argue, as they don’t convey tone, use the phone or face to face for that. ‘To convey the right tone – phone’. Don’t get into e-mail ping pong, they start wars.

3 If you don’t want anyone else to read the information – don’t send it! It’s too easy to forward and share, intentionally or not.

4 State your purpose immediately in the subject line and the body text so it is not misunderstood and irritates and then gets deleted too quickly.

5 Before you hit the send button – stop and think, is it the right time of day or week to send it, will it be understood, so check and check again … and for detail and spelling errors.

Oh and one more for free – if you send to several people and don’t want people to see who and protect their details, please put their addresses in the Bcc address line! Have a great emailing month.

(If you would like some advice on how to improve the effectiveness of your business contact Steve on 07949 197658 or steve@developmentpartners. co.uk (Next month – Using The Telephone)

Visibility Community Support Team Spring Events Products and services to assist people who have a visual impairment.

•Elderslie - Friday 22nd March, 10am - 1pm, Elderslie Village Hall

•Renfrew Wednesday 24th April, 10am - 1pm, Renfrew Town Hall •Paisley - Tuesday 14th May, 10am 1pm, Paisley Town Hall

These are drop in events showcasing products and services which can assist people with a visual impairment. Please call us for more information on 0141 332 4632.

Make A Will Information Sessions Whatever your age, having an up to date Will is very important. It is the only way of ensuring that your wishes are carried out after you die and also ensures that your family and friends are provided for as you’d like.

Making or updating your Will is a lot easier and less expensive than people think and furthermore can avoid distress and complexities for loved ones. St Vincent’s Hospice is holding free one hour information sessions on “How to make a Will the importance and benefits to you” on Tuesday 5th March at both 3pm and 7pm in their day hospice room at Midton Road, Howwood. Coffee and cake included. More info on 01505 705635 or info@svh.co.uk

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legal matters with Kingsley Wood & Co

Family Law Clinic

Experiencing difficulties at home?

Need advice on any of the following:-

• Problems in your marriage/relationship • Financial and housing consequences of ending your marriage/relationship • The position regarding children of the marriage/relationship • Co-habitation Agreements; • Separation Agreements • Divorce • Will • Power of Attorney Throughout the month of March we will be running a family law clinic offering a free initial consultation to all clients (new and existing) in respect of the above matters.

Call us on 01505 874114 to arrange a convenient appointment in either our Kilmacolm or Bridge of Weir office.

LEAP Car Club LEAP Car Club in Bridge of Weir is going from strength to strength. We not only have attracted members from Bridge of Weir, our first member is actually from Kilmacolm!

Jane, (pictured), will be using the LEAP car as a second car for her family after realising how much her second car was costing, just sitting unused most of the time. Now, for the times she does need the use of a second car, LEAP Car Club is the economical answer.

As illustrated below, joining LEAP Car Club provides you with a car just when you need it. So if you, could use a second car; have relatives who visit regularly, and need an extra car to get out and about while they’re here or simply don’t have a car, but could use one occasionally, the Car Club could be just right for you! We still have a few £15 memberships left, so please contact Diane at diane@myleapproject.org or drop into the office to take advantage of this special offer.

‘OMG’ ! - LEAP’s Off Mains Gas Group is up and running

New Which? research reveals around a third (31%) of drivers bought a car they later regretted.

LEAP have had lots of interest from villagers who are not on mains gas, use LPG, Oil, or Coal and want to find ways to make their home heating more economical. If you, or someone you know, is in this position, we would love to hear from you. The first meeting of the Off Mains Gas Group will be arranged shortly.

The top complaints in our survey found almost a third of people (30%) had purchased a faulty vehicle and over one in ten (16%) found the car they’d bought cost more to run than they expected.

Organic Fruit and Vegetables Delivery Club

Which? reveals top ten car-buying regrets

Our survey also revealed 13% admitted they hadn’t done enough research.

To avoid a car-buying regret, the Which? Car Survey is the UK’s largest survey of car reliability and owner satisfaction. Covering 47,716 individual cars, it offers a realistic picture of how rival cars compare and what their most common faults are.

A Which? spokesperson said: “A car is one of the most expensive things many of us will buy so our advice is to do your homework to avoid ending up with an unreliable vehicle that could leave you out of pocket. Drivers should check out Which?’s independent survey to compare car makes and models. The basic details of any potential purchase, like MOT status, can also be verified on the DVLA website.”

There has been an excellent response to the idea for a Delivery Club for organic fruit and vegetables. So far 10 people have signed up and the first of the fortnightly deliveries is planned for mid March.

Delivery Club members will pay a membership fee of £3 per fortnight in return for a “free” delivery code for use on the Whitmuir Organic Farm website www.whitmuirtheorganicplace.co.uk If you would like to find out more, or to join the club please contact susie@myleapproject.org.

To find out more about any part of the LEAP Project, please contact us at info@myleapproject.org, drop in, or telephone one of our offices: 22 Church St, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4AD, Tel: 01505 842 530 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan, PA10 2EF, Tel: 01505 706 070 Advance Place, Main St, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PB, Tel: 01505 612 034

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TV Tech with Kenny McIntyre of Millennium Group

Give us a sporting chance I look forward with pleasure to watching the English Premier League on TV through BT as an alternative to the strangle hold Sky has had on football for too long.

BT Sport is launching this summer and it must have its rivals quaking in their boots. They have already signed up Jake Humphrey, the BBCs former F1 presenter to host football coverage and have also bagged Clare Balding, the popular broadcaster.

BT are to screen 38 of the best Premier League matches each season for three years, starting from August 2013. BT Vision boss Marc Watson explains that this will be the first time in Premier League history that anyone other than Sky will be showing the kind of top-of-the-table games previously the exclusive domain of the satellite broadcaster. Marc also says that BT will succeed where Setanta and ESPN failed because it is a much bigger business, with millions of existing customers and because the communications giant will have top quality games to sell.

He hopes to be able to make the matches available to fans in the same ways they currently watch their football, whether that be via satellite or digital TV, in pubs and clubs, or over broadband via BT Vision.

Marc is particularly excited by the 12.45pm, Saturday slot that most of the BT games will occupy. “That’s a great pubs and clubs slot,” he explains.

“And those games are watched by many millions over the season, so we will reach many more [fans]. We have also got some slots like Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and quality matters.”

Marc promises to introduce new content to improve the viewing experience for fans, but is clear that they will not be high-tech features that add nothing to the enjoyment of the game.

BT will be launching a dedicated sports channel to showcase the football matches, plus 69 live Rugby Union games and well as 800 hours of the worlds best grunting from players in the Women’s Tennis Association.

Viewers wishing to watch BTs sports coverage will need to subscribe to BT Vision, including BT Infinity package.

Look out in next month’s issue for Ultra HD TV in our TV Tech column.

Please feel free to give us feedback on the column or ask any questions by emailing Kenny on kenny.millgroup@gmail.com.

For further help or advice call Kenny or Clare of Millennium Group on 01294 465478 or visit www.aerials4u.co.uk

Payroll changes April 2013 Employers should make sure that they are ready for the switch to the Real Time Information (RTI) from April 2013. Most employers will be affected from April 2013 and all employers by October 2013.

Essentially, RTI requires that you submit payroll data on or before the date that salaries and wages are paid to employees rather than wait until the end of the tax year to submit a P35 and associated returns.

This is the first major change to the PAYE system since 1944.

According to HMRC employers should take action on the following three steps: 1. Visit HMRC website for comprehensive information about RTI, including how to prepare, payroll software options and hints and tips to help avoid some common pitfalls.

2. Acquire new or updated payroll software – employers will need to talk to their payroll software provider or their payroll service-provider (if they have one) about this.

3. Start checking and updating employee information. It’s vital that the information employers have about their employees is accurate and up to date.

These generalised comments hide a multitude of tasks that must be completed before 6th April 2013 when RTI commences for smaller businesses. If we provide a payroll service for your business all of these transitional tasks will be sorted for you, if you still prepare your own payroll and need help with the transfer to RTI please call.

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The Inverclyde Members’ Centre of the National Trust for Scotland We will be holding our final meeting of the 2012/2013 session on Wednesday 6th March in the Watt Hall of the McLean Museum, Kelly Street, Greenock, starting at 7.30pm. This will take the form of the AGM and closing social. A good turn out would be appreciated.

t: 01505 613340

Erskine Young Council (EYC) Open Night Sunday 3rd March at Bargarran Community Centre, Erskine.

Erskine Youth Council are hosting an open night to try and make people aware of the EYC, and to invite new members. We have been involved in organising events in Erskine from many years and we hope to continue to do so. If you want to be involved and have a say in what happens in Erskine then come along and find out more and join us!

Healthy Minds Hypnotherapy, It’s all in the mind There’s no magic, no swinging pendulums or swaying watches, and no one is counting backwards as they slump into unconsciousness. This is medical rather than stage hypnosis, and it is increasingly being used to treat the symptoms of diseases and conditions as diverse as asthma, cystic fibrosis, snoring, migraines and warts.

It’s been used to allow surgery and dental work without anaesthesia, and for pain-free childbirth without medication. And new evidence from the UK’s first and only NHS centre offering hypnotherapy shows that it’s highly effective in treating some types of chest pain as well as irritable bowel syndrome.

New research from America has also found that more than half the people who used hypnotherapy to give up smoking were able to kick the habit, while researchers in France have successfully used the therapy to lower blood pressure.

In recent months, Mo Ferrington has had clients with exam issues, tinnitus, confidence and anxiety, weight problems, IBS, flying, swimming and broken hearts; the list is endless as Hypnotherapy is such a brilliant way to get to the root of the problems, and it’s good to talk to someone and ‘feel’ understood rather than judged as being silly.

Just how it works is not clear, and some critics suggest it’s simply a way of relaxing. But practitioners say there’s more to it, and that under hypnosis the patient can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions. It’s a state of heightened, focused attention that we can all shift into very naturally.

We don’t yet understand the mechanisms by which these suggestions are transplanted by the mind into the language of the body, but let’s say someone is a smoker. When he’s in a hypnotic state, I could suggest that he’s going to find himself craving cigarettes less and less over a period of time. If he’s ready to quit, that suggestion will be planted at a deep level in his mind, like seeds planted beneath the soil rather than scattered over the top, helping him tap into some useful physical and psychological resources. In saying that, a Practitioner is only as good as the intention of the client that seeks help. This is a vital part, so if someone wants to stop smoking because their partner said so, there is little chance they will until they decide to for ‘themselves’ and that is the key.

It really is all in the mind. People forget that a ‘thought’ can’t hurt them, it’s just a thought until they allow that thought to take hold, but a thought can be erased and a person can change their ‘thinking’. What you ‘think’ is what happens. As Mo often says, you ‘can’ simply because you ‘think’ you can.

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GRYFFE VALLEY ROTARY As always, it has been a busy start to the New Year for Gryffe Valley Rotary.

A key event was the annual Burns Supper at the River Inn where, following a robust Address to the Haggis by member Graeme Kidd, some 200 guests enjoyed a traditional River Inn menu and were treated to some first class entertainment. The Rev Donald Campbell delivered an amusing Immortal Memory, with reference to what it means to be Scottish and to many of Burns’ most apposite works. In his Toast to the Lassies, George Moore QC clinically dissected current news stories to shed some light on aspects of the fairer sex, though in Reply Margaret Dundas gave more than as good as she got in defence of the stronger sex! The evening was enhanced with Jim Ferguson’s renowned performance of Tam O’Shanter, and a selection of Burns best known songs beautifully sung by Audrey McKirdy (accompanied

by Fiona Menzies). Not only was a good time had by all, but the evening also raised over £2000 in aid of the club’s projects in support of the local community.

The series of informative meeting speakers has continued with Vicky McMillan talking about the remarkable work to promote a wide range of sports activities for the disabled in Renfrewshire, Karin Milne celebrating the 25th anniversary of the St Vincent Hospice, and visiting Ambassadorial Scholar Laura Heathfield talking about her year studying forensic science in Scotland, sponsored by her local Rotary club in South Africa.

Of particular local interest was the talk on HeartStart by Angela McNeil. Following an overview of the problems of coronary heart attacks in Scotland and the need for early treatment, she spoke of the CPR training provided at Gryffe High School and advised that defribulation equipment, easily used by anyone even with out any training, was now available in the CoOP store in Bridge of Weir The photo shows Angela, assisted

by President Neil McAllister, operating the equipment on the dummy (the dummy is the one lying down!).

Finally, 28th April is a date for the diary of athletically inclined readers, when the inaugural Gryffe Valley 10K Run from Houston to Bridge of Weir will take place. More details next month and on the club website.

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Bridge of Weir Choral Society The beautiful Requiem by the French composer Maurice Durufle is the main work in rehearsal at present for the Spring concert of the Bridge of Weir Choral society.

This will take place at St Columba’s church Kilmacolm on Saturday 20th April at 7.30pm.

Other pieces to be performed include ‘Five Mystical Songs’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Haydn’s ‘Insanae et vanae curae’.

Under the direction of the choir’s enthusiastic conductor Christopher Barr, and with a full complement of young soloists, the concert will be an event not to be missed.

Tickets will be on sale soon from choir members or by phoning the choir president on 01475 520280.

March Hares In! Doesn’t time fly? Already the green shoots in the barrier baskets in Main Street, and elsewhere throughout the village, are springing up. With luck we’ll have an even better show than last year which, considering the weather we had then, was really quite good (and we’re not just saying that ourselves!).

And things are starting to warm up on the planning front, too. The Group’s horticultural specialists - ie., those who can tell the difference between a daisy and a dandelion are already perusing the catalogues selecting the plants for the summer displays.

The funds available for buying these plants were boosted by an amazing £600 over the Christmas period, so very special thanks to all those who contributed.

There’s a lot of work going on in the background to further the Group’s aims of a Brighter Bridge of Weir. Hopefully, in the next issue of the Advertizer we’ll be able to elaborate. In the meantime, our website is undergoing its seasonal makeover (but it’s still online and functioning) and that should be up and running shortly.

If you’ve got any thoughts on what you’d like to see, or would like to help in some way, please contact us either through our website www.brighterbridgeofweir. org or by calling 07810 722806.

St Mary’s Lecture

Film Nights at the Bridge Now Voyager

On Friday 1st March, the film is “Now Voyager” (PG) - classic cinema from 1942 and a love story ‘now, then and forever’ with Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains and Gladys Cooper.

True Grit

t: 01505 613340

Bridge of Weir SWRI The next meeting of the Bridge of Weir Rural takes place on Thursday 7th March at 7.30pm in the British Legion when Anne Strang will be giving a talk on the Save the Children Fund. All visitors and members will be made very welcome.

Langbank SWRI Our penultimate meeting for this session will be on Thursday 21st March in The Village Centre at 7.30pm, when we will hear about the work done at the Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre, Gateside, Beith, Ayrshire. Competitions: Brides Slice x 3, Fascinator - any craft, Small Antique.

Bridge of Weir History Society Next meeting Monday 25th March.

The evening will commence with the 24th AGM, the business content of which will only last a few minutes.

This will be followed immediately by “A Photographic Perambulation of Bridge of Weir” & will be a PowerPoint presentation compiled from old photographic material from the society’s archive.

On Thursday 21st March we will be showing “True Grit” (PG) - The John Wayne original for which he won an Oscar. A great western also staring Glen Campbell and Kim Darby.

All meetings (which are generally the last Monday of the month) start at 8pm and are held in the large hall of Freeland Church, in Bridge of Weir. Tea & coffee is served after the talk.

For all events, entry is free, but any donations to Bridge funds is very welcome. Doors open from 6.30pm and the film starts at 7pm.

Everyone welcome, visitors invited to make donation of £1.50 at the door. Any queries, please call either Rosemary 01505 614252 or Lorraine 01505 612202.

Bridge of Weir Festival Committee Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 12th March at 7.30 Pm in the Cargill Hall and is open to all interested parties. Anyone wishing to take a pitch on Gala Day should contact Meg Millar on 01505 690704 for a pitch application form. Each pitch 12’ x12’ is £15 payable at time of application.

Bishopton Spring Art and Craft Fair Saturday 9th March from 10am - 3pm in the Bishopton Community Centre, Bishopton.

Local amateur artists and crafts people will offer for sale a variety of products that will make ideal gifts for someone special. This year’s event will feature some new artists.

St Mary’s Church, Bridge of Weir is delighted to announce that St Mary’s Lecturer for this year will be Carol Craig, author of The Scots Crisis of Confidence and The Tears that made the Clyde.

Admission to the Spring Art and Craft fair is free. Tea, coffee and delicious home baking will be available at a nominal cost. The venue is a 5-minute walk from Bishopton railway station. There is ample free car parking.

The date of the lecture will be Wednesday 8th May at 7pm and Carol will be speaking about Materialism - the exact title is to be confirmed, and further details will be in the Advertizer nearer the time.

The date of the event is perfect for anyone looking for a special gift for Mother’s Day, that this year falls on Sunday 10th March.

Meanwhile, please put the date in your diaries, and we hope you will be able to join us on 8th May and enjoy another stimulating lecture and discussion at St Mary’s.

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Mr William Stewart, organiser of Bishopton Art Group’s Spring Art and Craft Fair said; “The Spring Art and Craft Fair are always eagerly anticipated by the community. Admission is free. There is always a large selection of arts and crafts available for sale and at very affordable prices.”

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bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir BoW Gala Queen Selection Evening The new date for the selection of the Gala Queen and her Attendants is Friday 8th March at 7pm in the Cargill Hall.

Completed form (signed by a parent or guardian) will be collected from the local primary schools

by Friday 1st March. No applications will be accepted on the night.

Please see our Further details of Gala Day and Festival week article on page 42 for will appear in later publications. details.

Bridge of Weir TARA

BoW Embroiderers’ Guild The ‘Filanderers’ are a small group, including Cora and Margaret our speakers, who completed their City and Guilds in Patchwork and Quilting together. They have continued to meet monthly and produce beautiful examples of both large and small quilts. The inspiration behind these comes from very varied sources - a place visited, a colour theme, a celebration etc. Although they all start from the same source it is amazing how different their interpretation is. Some of the quilts were done as small quilts that could stand alone but, when hung together made a complete picture!. It was an awe inspiring evening that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our next meetings - 7.30pm at the Bridge, BOW- are 6th March, Yvonne Brown - ‘Threads of Life’ and 20th March, David Rosier - ‘Chinese Textiles’. For further information please contact Sue Whitaker 01505 612979

Fair Trade Coffee afternoon Friday 1st March from 1.30pm to 3pm at Bishopton Primary School, Renfrewshire, PA7 5BE P6/7 will be hosting our annual Fairtrade Coffee afternoon to raise awareness about Fairtrade. All classes will be providing entertainment. It will take place in Bishopton Primary school, and there will opportunity to purchase Fairtrade merchandise.

This is an awareness day not a school fundraiser, all profits from the event will be donated to an ethical charity . Entry is £2 per adult, free for children, payable at the door.

Thank you from “All at Tulip” The staff at Tulip Hair Design offer their thanks and gratitude for the invitation to participate at the Bridge of Weir Rural meeting on Thursday 7th February in the British Legion hall. The topic for the evening was “A Girl’s Night In” and was a great success.

Art Exhibition in the Bridge Fine artist, Judith Beattie, will be exhibiting her newest collection of paintings entitled ‘FOXES’, following her very successful exhibition in spring 2012 which featured African Elephants.

Judith was inspired by a visit to Hessilhead wildlife rescue Centre, where she became enthralled by the wild foxes who had been

rescued from snares, involved in car accidents or orphaned, nursed back to health by the dedicated team of volunteers.

A student at Duncan Of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (formal pupil of Gryffe High School) she is now in her third year and creating new paintings.

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MARCH 2013

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bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

kilmacolm & quarriers

Since the Council set up new Policy Boards last month, there has been some reshuffling. I have maintained my involvement in both the Social Work, Health and Wellbeing Board and also in the Education Policy Board. I have some doubts about whether the increased number of Boards, with reduced meeting cycles will offer a suitable level of scrutiny. There are already issues regarding this in relation to the Planning Board, which has imposed a restriction on site visits by Councillors.

I am pleased to advise that at the Inverclyde Council budget meeting on the 14th February £275k was allocated for the replacement of the red blaize pitch at Kilmacolm Primary School and also the acceleration of the school’s refurbishment.

The installation of an up to date all weather 3G facility will eradicate most of the skint knees and allow further sports development.

In Bridge of Weir, the inclusion of Shillingworth Farm in the Local Development Plan caused a tremendous outcry from residents, understandably concerned about the possible loss of this notable area of greenbelt. The time for lodging objections has passed and we now have to await the outcome of deliberations around those objections. I will be closely following the progress of this. I see that some work is being done at Neva Place, although the grant opportunity was lost. I wish the proprietors good luck and hope the job runs smoothly.

I would reiterate calls from many sources, that there is a need to make use of local facilities, otherwise they will be lost. The Post Office, located in The Bridge is a business facility that the Community needs to protect as the Council has no influence on this - please make use of it as well as the local shops.

In Langbank, the shop also needs to thrive to survive - I would urge locals to support it whenever they can! The Tennis Club is gearing up for the coming season and they are keen to invite as many new members as possible.

After the threat of losing the club was averted last year, it would be good if locals ensured its future, by participating.

In Bishopton, as work on Dargavel Village progresses, some new street names were proposed to me for comment. I asked for time to consult with local representatives, as I could see no relevant connection to the area in the names, which were derived from a British Aerospace factory elsewhere.

I am pleased that Members of the Community Council have put forward some more suitable suggestions. It is not always easy to come up with appropriate street names in a locality. If anyone has any good street name ideas, which have local or historical links to an area in the Ward where new streets are proposed, please let me know and I will pass them on.

Despite continuing cuts from Westminster, Renfrewshire Council is receiving more than £1 billion to provide services over the current 3 year period from the Scottish Government. The 2012/13 award is the 9th highest settlement out of the 32 councils in Scotland! During the year the council was also in receipt of the 3rd highest amount of extra in-year funding, including being one of only 6 councils in Scotland to receive additional money from Holyrood to tackle youth unemployment. The Welfare Reform debate is heating up as the impact of the bedroom tax is beginning to be appreciated.

These reforms reflect the extremely difficult financial future we face as long as we are subject to decisions taken by London Government whose first priority is the South East of England - quite rightly, as they must respond to the majority of their electors. We in Scotland have different priorities and should have the right to know that the Government we vote for responds to our needs.

Contact me by email at: cllr.maria.brown@renfrewshire.gov.uk, by phone: 03003 001259, Mobile: - 07534 148734

We have also committed an extra £17m to roads over the next three years. This a significant sum and is very necessary.

Those who have spoken to me about carriageway problems can rest assured that your comments have been taken on board.

Both KPS, Port Glasgow High School and St Columba’s were well represented at the Inverclyde Music Festival. This is a serious national festival and will celebrate its centenary next year. The Honorary Secretary Anne McGregor of Kilmacolm must be complimented, as to put together 2 solid weeks of competition in three venues is no mean feat.

St Columba’s and KPS were well represented at the Gala Concert on the second Saturday and the latter’s performance of the Owl and the Pussy Cat and the Clothes Line brought a full house down. Well done coach Jill Jones.

I was on the panel of an “Any Questions” with SV and SV1 at St Columba’s in the company of Mary Fee MSP, Derek McKay MSP and Luciano Rebecci Lib Dem councillor. It is such a long time since my kids were in SV1 that I had forgotten how awkward the questions can be! No, I do not believe in minimum alcohol pricing. No, I do not believe in legalising cannabis. Yes, I do not see how we can ever do without prisons. Yes, I favour nuclear energy. Yes, I am in favour of the Union. Now I have said it.

I was updated in my role as Chair of Planning by the Rector David Girdwood and Colin McClatchie, Chair of the St Columba’s School Board, that they had decided not to appeal the adverse decision by the Planning Board with regard to their application to extend in the 4 acre field behind the old police house. They also indicated that they would again look at the potential of expanding, as they do have a need to, elsewhere in the village. I am pleased they are doing this as having been turned down twice by the Council, it would be difficult to argue if they felt in some way unwelcome in Inverclyde.

I was updated in November by 20-20 Renewables about their plan for a 10 turbine windfarm at Corlic Hill. They are currently conducting public consultations and have installed sound measuring devices at various house and steading locations. I chaired the protest group, Keep Corlic Wild, from 2002 to 2007, which with the help of the Council, National AirTraffic Control and Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park managed to have the application refused after a public enquiry. Matters have moved on and as the Vice Chair of the Park and Chair of Planning I will take advice on my position. I have been contacted by many of the people from the Gryffe Valley, Upper Port Glasgow and the Strone area of Greenock who were involved the last time and the seven of them who gave evidence and were questioned, in front of a QC, still retain my admiration.

My surgery is 9th March in the Cargill Centre 10am to 11am.

I can be contacted at 01475 712727 or 741969 and 07766 992294. e-mail david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk

My surgeries are: Bridge of Weir - 1st Tues of month at Cargill Hall 6.30pm - 7pm. Bishopton - 2nd Wed of month at Bishopton Community Library 6.15pm - 6.45pm. Langbank - 2nd Wed of month at Langbank Village Hall 7pm - 7.30pm.

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village news

29

On Valentines Day I presented my sixth, and arguably most challenging, budget as Council Leader.

We were one of the few Councils in Scotland to agree a three year budget. This will provide a measure of certainty in an extremely uncertain world. It will facilitate strategic planning and allow longer lead in times for achieving savings and developing services.

With a budget surplus in 2013/14 and a relatively small deficit in 2014/15 there was a temptation to set another two-year revenue budget. That would have put off some of the most difficult decisions for another day. It is a temptation we resisted. Despite reducing the three year budget gap from over £15m earlier in the year to £4.4m at the time of setting the budget, difficult decisions needed to be taken.

There is no getting away from the fact that the savings we approved will have an impact on some front line services. They will also mean that some people will pay more for services they receive. Equally as important, a number of the savings will impact on the people who deliver our services, many of who will have given years of loyal and valuable service to the council.

One of the reasons we proposed a three-year budget was so that the required level of savings can be achieved on a phased basis, providing officers with time to manage the impact on both service users and employees in as sensitive a way as possible, in partnership with our colleagues in the trade unions. We are seeking to avoid compulsory redundancies by achieving the required reduction in the workforce through a combination of natural turnover, redeployment and voluntary severance.

The budget also contained some good news.

We are proposing another hugely ambitious capital programme by investing a further £113m over the period 2013/2016. The programme includes a record £17m for roads, footways and street lighting and over £41m for our school estate, including the comprehensive refurbishment of Kilmacolm Primary School. More good news for KPS is the Administration is allocated £225,000 to fund a new 3G pitch or multi-use games area to replace the current red blaes pitch. I am sure that both these investments will be warmly welcome by the school community.

I see that the Governors of St Columba’s School have decided not to appeal the Planning Board’s refusal of permission for the proposed new campus in Milton Woods. One of a number of reasons given for this decision, is that their planning advisors had indicated that there was a significant chance of an appeal being unsuccessful. I hope that those who have implied that the Planning Board’s decision was made on other than legitimate planning grounds will take note.

My advice surgeries are advertised on the Council’s website (www. inverclyde.gov.uk) and in The Greenock Telegraph. My next surgery in Kilmacolm is on Tuesday 12th March in the Community Centre from 6pm to 7pm. I also have a surgery in Clune Park Resource Centre on Tuesday 26th March from 6pm to 7pm.

You can contact me directly to discuss any matters that are of concern to you by telephone on 01475 712020 (during office hours) and 871368 (home) or by email to Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde. gov.uk. Alternatively you can write to me at 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm PA13 4HL. You can keep up to date with my work as a Councillor by visiting my blog: http://councillorstephenmccabe.blogspot.com/.

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Last month Inverclyde Council passed a three year budget for 2013/16. In my six years as a councillor, this had been by far the most difficult budget we have had to contend with.

In the past few years, the council had mainly managed, with the help from officials, to pass budgets through savings via its modernisation programme and taking efficiency savings.

However, this time local cuts that had to be taken were far more difficult to make due to cuts of more than £3 billion to the Scottish Government’s Block Grant from Westminster. In turn this meant less funding for Inverclyde, despite local authorities continuing to receive about one third of the Scottish budget.

It was good to see again, among the winning places at this year’s annual Inverclyde Music Festival, that there were young winners from Ward 1.

Recently I received a complaint of cars speeding on Port Glasgow Road.

On contacting the police I was told that a police initiative had been set up in the village. Speeding in Kilmacolm is something that has been raised with me time and again over the last six years. Some constituents may be aware that I have called on a number of approaches to tackle speeding in Kilmacolm and other parts of Ward 1. From flashing speed signs, 20’s Plenty signage and zones, to cameras and speed traps. Hopefully, the recent police initiative will help to slow motorists down in the village.

It was welcome to note that recently council officials revealed that recycling levels are now above 50%, this putting Inverclyde in the top band of leading councils for recycling. Our council officials are to be highly commended for their good work in addressing what was a few short years ago a highly unenviable record.

Before Christmas myself and other ward 1 councillors were contacted by a French citizen, a Mr Laurent Kochanski, who lives in a community outside of Paris. Mr Kochanski had proposed twinning the community he lives in with Kilmacolm.

Having contacted council officials for their view on the suggestion I was told it was probably best for Kilmacolm Community Council to consider the proposal. I know this was discussed at a previous KCC meeting.

My next surgeries in March will be advertised in the Greenock Telegraph and on my posters.

Anyone wanting to contact me can do so by phoning me at my council office on 01475-712727 or on my mobile phone 07747 765 839, or by emailing me at jim.macleod@inverclyde.gov.uk

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MARCH 2013

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kilmacolm & quarriers

PHOTO: Lisa and Jason Stevenson of Kilmacolm celebrate after they both won their class Scot’s Verse competition for Kilmacolm Primary School.

Kilmacolm Civic Trust AGM Tuesday 5th March at 7.30pm in the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm. The Business meeting will take place from 7.30pm - 8.15pm. It will be followed immediately by a presentation from 8.15pm - 9pm titled: “Riverside Inverclyde Regeneration - Port Glasgow to Gourock” by Bill Nicol - Chief Executive of Riverside Inverclyde.

The riverside between Port Glasgow and Gourock used to be a thriving area of industrial production. Great efforts are being made to bring the waterfront and its immediate inland area back to life, attract industry back into it, introduce high quality recreational facilities and housing and make it a pleasant environment to live and work in. The talk will cover the vision, the plan and the execution of the plan. Non-members of the Civic Trust who would like to hear the talk will be very welcome and should arrive at 8.15pm.

Guiding Spring Fayre

Happy Birthday Eddie

Saturday 16th March - 10.30am till 12.30pm St Columba’s Church Hall, Kilmacolm. Entry £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children, to include tea/coffee/homebaking.

Please come along and support Kilmacolm Rainbows, Brownies and Guides at our Spring Fayre, where there will be plenty of fun crafts, homebaking, book stalls, tea and coffee, bacon rolls (£1.50) and lots more.

We’ve heard that it was Eddie the lollypop man’s 70th birthday on 28th February. The children of Kilmacolm would like to wish him a wee Happy Birthday, and thank you to him and June for being real troopers through this awful winter.

Kidston Kids Nearly New Sale Our next big fundraiser is on Saturday March 23rd 10am-12 noon in Kidston Hall.

If you have any toys, children’s clothes or baby equipment you wish to sell or donate, or if you are looking to buy some things for your family, please come along. Items over £5 can either be donated or sold at a 50/50 split. Smaller items will be treated as donations. Items can be delivered to the Kidston Hall on Friday 22nd between 7-9pm.

Duchal Woods update

Inverclyde Music Festival Success For Local Sisters

St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm has decided not to appeal against Inverclyde Council’s refusal of its plan for a multi-million pound development on greenbelt land in the village.

Instead it is looking at a “more modest” plan for a previously-considered site.

Sisters Jillian and Nicola Craig enjoyed success recently at the Inverclyde Music Festival. Since the ages of 6 years old both girls have been helped and supported with their music by Amy McMillian from Largs. Nicola gained two first certificates and a second certificate in her three solos classes for 12 years and under. Jillian won the “Betty Barclay Trophy” for the “Vocal Girls 16 Years & Under” singing “A New Year Carol”. Jillian was asked to sing at the “Grand Final Concert” on Saturday evening and was delighted to be awarded with the “A Willis Calder Trophy” for the highest mark for under 18’s vocal solo.

Passion Story

Inverclyde Music Festival Scholarship Fund Finally Jillian was thrilled to be awarded one of the two “Inverclyde Music Festival Scholarships”. The Festival Association has set up a Scholarship fund. This is used each year to fund the top performers to attend the “European Youth Summer Music School” held every year in England, with an opportunity to perform with other talented young people from Britain and abroad.

St Fillan’s Episcopal Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm on Sunday 17th March 6pm to 7pm. An invitation to hear the Passion Story from Luke’s Gospel with the sacred music of J S Bach.

World Day of Prayer In St Columba Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm at 1.30pm on Friday 1st March.

Written by the Christian Women of France - “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” We would be very pleased to see you at the Service and if you want to know more about the event, please call Maureen Russell, Convenor, on 01505 872905.

Kilmacolm Spring Cleanup Saturday 20th April at 10am. Please join us in the car park at the Pullman (near the entrance to the cycle path) for this year’s Kilmacolm Spring Cleanup. We’ll divide up into teams, and do some litter-picking of the areas surrounding the village. Wear comfy clothes that you don’t mind getting soiled, and be prepared to do a bit of walking (although we’ll arrange transportation to and from further outlying areas). Latex gloves, litter pickers, rubbish bags, and hi-viz clothing will be provided; you may want to bring your own heavier-duty work gloves. Call Karen on 01505 874656 to sign up, or for more information.

Lodge Sir Michael No.989 Masonic Hall, Kilmacolm.

Glebe

Road,

Regular Meeting Wednesday 6th Mar’13 at 7.30pm - EA degree.

Warm welcome awaits Visitors.

Kilmacolm Dramatic Society Rehearsals for ‘Calendar Girls’ are proceeding apace, with the actors beginning to settle into character & lines becoming imprinted. The major administrative roles, too, are taking shape, but we still need volunteers to help out both behind & in front of the scenes. If you think you might be available during the lead up to the play, & on 24th-27th April, please get in touch.

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village news

31

At the beginning of February the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2013/14 was passed. In the run up to the Budget, it had been planned to cut college budgets by a staggering £34.6m, however on Budget day the Finance Secretary found another £10m which means colleges across Scotland will now be cut by £24.6m.

Ever since I learned about the proposal to cut colleges, I’ve been seriously concerned about the negative impact it will have on the future of young people across Inverclyde. At a time when colleges are facing major structural change in the form of mergers, not to mention youth unemployment in Scotland at such a high level, I don’t believe cuts to the further education sector are the right way forward.

With that in mind, I publicly pledged my support for the National Union of Students’ Campaign ‘Fund Scotland’s Future’ which called on the Government to reverse these cuts and protect the future of young people across Scotland. I was pleased to see cross party support within the Scottish Parliament for lobbying the Government to reduce these cuts.

I, alongside both Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament representing Inverclyde, visited James Watt College to meet with representatives from James Watt College’s Student Association to show our support for the Campaign and for their efforts on behalf of young people within Inverclyde.

The other big news story from February was of course the Special Meeting of Inverclyde Council on February 14th. At this meeting our Labour Administration set a three year budget under extremely difficult financial circumstances.

I reported to you last month, the Council’s funding gap was estimated at £4.7m. At the time of the Special Meeting that figure reduced to £4.4m. As a new Councillor it was my first time going through the Council’s budget process and it certainly wasn’t easy at having to take difficult decisions on savings proposals alongside my colleagues to fill the £4.4m funding gap.

Gryffe Valley Cycle This year the “Gryffe Valley Cycle” team are raising money for “Combat Stress” and “Bowel Cancer UK”. The aim is to cycle approximately 200 miles visiting the islands of Arran, Gigha, Jura, Islay, and Bute off the West Coast of Scotland.

The ride starts on the 23rd May from Ardrossan and finishes 4 days later at Wemyss Bay. The team members are Andrew Macleman, Richard Ferguson, Marc Drudge, Derek Milne, Russell Craig, Tom Semple, Roddy Davidson, Fraser McGhee, Grant McGeoch, David Brown and Stephen Newman.

Steve Scott is also kindly giving up annual leave to be our support driver with his trusty steed “Chuckles.”

You can donate through JustGiving www.justgiving.com/gryfe - it is simple, fast and totally secure.Once you donate they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

We know money is tight, but “many’s a mickle maks a muckle” so please dig deep and donate now at www.justgiving.com/gryfe

You’ll remember some time ago I reported that the Council planned on bringing forward the refurbishment of two primary schools which included Kilmacolm Primary & St John’s Primary. Back then my colleague, Councillor Stephen McCabe, wrote to First Minister Alex Salmond MSP to ask him if the Government would provide extra support to enable both these schools to be refurbished earlier. The Council received a disappointing response back from the Finance Secretary which meant there was a funding gap to be filled in order for the proposal to go ahead. I’m pleased to say that at the Budget meeting, the Council committed another £1m to the proposal as part of the budget proposals. This means Kilmacolm Primary & St John’s Primary will be refurbished a number of years earlier than previously planned.

I have one other Budget announcement that I’m sure was be welcomed by everyone in Kilmacolm. As part of our budget proposals, the Council committed £830,000 to replace the existing blaes gravel pitches at Kilmacolm Primary, St Ninian’s Primary & Whinhill Primary Schools. This means Kilmacolm Primary will get a full refurbishment a lot earlier than previously proposed and in addition will see the existing blaes pitch fully replaced with a 3G artificial pitch or multi-use games surface.

Another important announcement was our proposal to invest £17m in roads and street lighting over the next three years. A lot of people who took part in the budget consultation process, either through the Citizens Panel Survey, public online budget survey or from Community Councils, put roads high up the agenda and this announcement will see a major improvement.

My surgeries this month are on Thursday 7th March in St Francis Primary School, Port Glasgow, from 6-7pm and Tuesday 19th March in Clune Park Resource Centre, Port Glasgow, from 6-7pm.

Please feel free to contact me anytime to discuss any issues and I’ll do my best to assist. You can reach me on 01475 712727 (during office hours) and 01475 741234 (at home) or by emailing me at james.mccolgan@ inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively you can write to me at 2 Crawford Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5EL. I’d like to invite you to have a look at my new blog which contains information about my work as a Councillor. You can access the blog by visiting http:// jamesmccolgan.wordpress.com

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MARCH 2013

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PRE-OPEN WEEKEND TOURS

23rd/24th March 2013

Scotland’s newest multi million pound leisure destination ON-X opens for public use from 25th March. Preopen weekend tours will take place on 23rd and 24th March to give visitors the chance to view the facilities that will be available. The weekend promises to be one to remember with guided tours, demonstrations, giveaways, community events, controlled air swimmers rides and inflatables for the kids all free to promote and showcase this exciting new leisure destination.

Designed by Cre8 Architecture, the £24 million complex has been designed to become a centre of excellence for sport and a base for local community sport and leisure activities. ON-X houses three pool areas comprising a 25m, six-lane competition pool; a 15m learner pool; and a leisure pool with two flumes and a lazy river.

For sport and fitness enthusiasts ON-X offers an eight court sports hall, doubles squash courts and fitness provision featuring a 600sq m fitness suite, four fitness studios and a dedicated spin studio will also form part of the complex, as well as well appointed changing facilities and an improved athletics track on the exterior. ON-X was built by BAM Construction.

Outdoor facilities include an eight-lane arena, flood lit synthetic football parks for 7-a-side and 11-a-side games and grass parks for both football and rugby.

In addition to its sporting facilities, the ON-X also features a centre for adults with learning disabilities that is also open to the public in the evenings and weekends for a range of community based session, parties and meetings.

The opening of ON-X is part of Renfrewshire Council’s £40m investment in local leisure facilities.

Radio Clyde will be on hand during the spring bank holiday weekend to entertain the crowds.

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village news

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kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival ART EXHIBITION Wednesday 13th March - Saturday 23rd March

Once again we are looking for entries, from the local areas, to this now well supported annual exhibition.

The exhibition will be held once again in the Library Room of Lochwinnoch Library. We are most grateful to our Librarian, Margaret Sweenie for all her help and cooperation in the planning of this exhibition.

All exhibits must be accompanied by an entry form which is available from the Calder Gallery, 8 High Street, Lochwinnoch. The form details all rules and instructions. The handing in date for all exhibits is Saturday 9th March. We look forward to seeing everyone’s hard work then.

DROP-IN KIRK CAFE Saturday 23rd March Lochwinnoch Parish Church 10am - noon Tea. Coffee. Scones. Pancakes.

Cakes etc Adult £2, Children £1

Kilbarchan West Church Guild On Monday 4th March we welcome a speaker from Crossreach telling us about the Guild project ‘Heart for Art,’ which will aid dementia patients by getting them interested in the creative arts.

Our AGM and Daffodil Tea is on Monday 18th and part of that evening will include a ‘Bible Bring and Buy.’

PANCAKE TEA Friday 8th March Lochwinnoch Parish Church 2pm - 4pm Baking stall Admission £2

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Lochwinnoch SWRI The March meeting of the SWRI will take place on Wednesday 20th March at 7.30pm in the McKillop Hall, our speaker is Liz Boulton talking about Heraldic Embroidery.

The Competitions are:1 Four Squares of Tablet Favourite Animal Ornament

2 My

Entries for the Annual Federation Anne Wallace Sugar Sugar Sifter Competition for Four Gypsy Creams should also be submitted this evening.

The winners in the Competitions were:-

January

Miniature Picture (any craft) 1 Roma Gould 2 Elma Richmond 3 Liz Benzie Savoury Dip 1 Joyce Galbraith 2 Katrina Brunton 3 Elma Richmond

60th Birthday Party Wednesday 17th April

Any former member of Lochwinnoch Rural who has not received notification of the 60th Birthday Party on 17th April 2013 please get in touch with Mrs Glenys McKee at 01505 842419 by 27th March.

Easter In Kilbarchan West

Kilbarchan East Church

On Sunday 10th March there will be a Mothers’ Day and Cradle Roll Service to which all children who have been baptised over the last three years will be invited.

March is a busy month in the calendar of the church, starting with the Sacrament of Holy Communion, celebrated at 11am and 6.30pm on Sunday 3rd, both services conducted

by Rev Kenneth Gray. The Stated Annual Meeting is at 12noon after the service on Sunday 24th. Leading up to Easter, on Maundy Thursday 28th the service at 7pm will be led by the choir singing excerpts from Bob Chilcott’s Requiem. There is a joint service with the West church on Good Friday in the East church at 7pm and of course on Easter Day, Sunday 31st March the service is at 11am, conducted by Mr Russell Banks. Sunday School, Bible Class and the crèche continue in the halls each Sunday from 10.45am.

Our Holy Week Services are at 7pm from Monday 25th to Thursday 28th March, Communion being celebrated at the Thursday night service.

On Good Friday we join with the congregation of Kilbarchan East Church for a service in the East.

On Easter Sunday there will be an early service at 8.30am outside the Weavers Cottage followed by our traditional roll and sausage in the hall and our usual 11am service after which the children will roll their eggs. Everyone is invited to join us at any of these services over this special time in the Church year.

On Saturday 2nd March the Junior Church are having a Fayre in the hall from 10am to 12noon.

There will be the usual tea/coffee and home baking and fun for all the family with face painting, hook-a-duck, lucky dip, tombola and a pocket money stall. Tickets for adults are £2.50 and children get in free. So come along and enjoy a fun morning.

The Westlife Team are once again having an Afternoon Tea in Brookfield Village Hall on Saturday 16th March at 2pm.

This is a great way to meet up with your friends and have a very pleasant afternoon out. Ticket prices have been held to last year’s figure of £7 and can be obtained from any member of the team.

Kilbarchan East Church Guild Kilbarchan East Church Guild will meet on Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm when we will be entertained by the Kilbarchan Junior Choir. The final meeting for this session will be our AGM on Tuesday 26th March at 7.30pm.

The Easter Extravaganza takes place on Saturday 23rd March from 10am -12noon in the East church hall, with an Easter egg hunt in the grounds and a decorated hat and egg competition also. Hot-cross buns will be served with coffeeentrance £2 - there will be homebaking and an Easter gift stall.

The Tots’ club continues on Monday mornings from 9.15-11.30am. On Monday 4th March, photographer Andy Stark from Stark Images, will be in the small hall to take photographs of the children.

Kilbarchan Fairtrade Fortnight Kilbarchan Fairtrade Fortnight.

On Saturday 2nd March the Lochwinnoch Fairtrade group will relay an inflatable Fairtrade banana to Kilbarchan, arriving about 11am for forward relaying to Bridge of Weir and other villages.

On Sunday 3rd March there will be a Fairtrade stall in Kilbarchan East Church at noon, and a similar stall at the same time in the West Church on Sunday 10th March. Yet to be confirmed is a visit of two Malawian rice producers, who are scheduled to be in the village on Sunday 3rd March.

Many readers will have bought Kilombero rice, enabling Malawian rice farmers to fund the education of their children. Watch local notice boards for details of the visit.

www.advertizer.co.uk for weekly updates

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35

The residents at the top end of Kilbarchan will be delighted that the proposal to vary the planning application at Kilbarchan quarry was rejected by Renfrewshire councils planning and property board at their January meeting.

Had the bid been successful, it would have had further implications for heavy traffic noise and dust in the Branscroft, Park View Wheatlands Farm Road area thereby exacerbating an already acute situation.

Appeal for Members

As someone who for many years walked this road on the way to work, I know of the particular difficulties for motorists and pedestrians alike, and at the junction of the A761. Credit is due to local residents and the Community Council for a successful campaign which I was pleased to support, given that I had campaigned against the original application in 1998.

Do you live in Kilbarchan?

My colleague Chris Gilmour and myself recently undertook a site visit with council officers, to the area at the A737 entrance to Kilbarchan at the Milliken Road, Waterside Terrace and the footbridge over the Cart locations, with a view to cutting back the bushes and undergrowth and a general tidy up. Constituents have raised with me the importance of first impressions given to visitors to the village, and I hope that this will help in this regard as well as helping local residents who daily walk this area.

Interested?

Work will soon commence on the upgrading of electrical works at Lochwinnoch primary school following the award of the contract for this by the councils Procurement sub committee of which I am a member. This is part of the wider programme at the school which will extend the facilities for the benefit of both children and staff.

I was delighted to attend and see the turnout at the Lochwinnoch play park improvement group [LPIG] family Ceilidh at the McKillop institute on 2nd February. The committee continues its hard work to reach its goal. Please consider what support you can give this venture.

The council set its first budget on the 14th February against a very difficult background of the poor grant funding from the Scottish Government and the impact of the Welfare Reform Bill. We have made every attempt to build on what we have achieved over the last 9 months - the restoration of free school buses, the abolition of travel charges for the disabled and the introduction of the living wage of £7.50.

Would you be interested in being part of a fundraising group in the village?

Would you like to “Be Part Of It” and help St Vincent’s Hospice celebrate their 25th Anniversary year?

What’s Involved? - I hear you ask!

We want our Friends Group members to have fun, raise awareness and vital funds for patient care in your local area.

A commitment to four or more fundraising activities per year, is all that we ask, for example, to help sell tickets for the St Vincent’s Hospice official raffle, assist with the annual Kilbarchan Door to Door collection, hold your own event, to run a collection/bag-pack at your local supermarket, or anything else the Group are interested in organising.

Come and join us - make friends. To find out more email lorraine. valentine@svh.co.uk.

The Old Library Centre, Kilbarchan Fiona and Ronnie Collins perform under the name of Collins and Collins.

This entertaining couple are appearing in The Old Library Centre, on Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm.

If an evening of fun with magical fiddle music, well known and original songs, audience participation and amusing antidotes is your type of entertainment, book your tickets now. Priced £10 tickets are on sale from The Centre. This is a BYOB event and tickets are limited in number.

In the budget there is amongst other measures, investment of 4.5 million for jobs and the local economy, 4.4 on education and early years investment, and 1.8 million additional investment in social work. One of the biggest challenges for the future for government at all levels will be the anticipated demographic changes in our communities.

Kilbarchan Improvement Projects(KIPCo) is a not-for-profit company which is a registered Scottish charity and a company limited by guarantee. The management and organisation of this company is carried out by local volunteers.

The good news is that we are all living longer and hopefully the vast majority of us independently in our own community. The need to provide for a good quality of life for us all in the future is the single biggest challenge facing local authorities. One of the major difficulties for older people is often a feeling of isolation, despite the best efforts of relatives and community groups. In this regard I have welcomed news of a proposal for a new concept in home care being explored initially in Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan and Bridge of Weir.

Your support is greatly appreciated and helps to keep this community facility open.

The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am – 12noon and 2-4pm.

Phone 01505 706070. More details of the Centre activities and facilities are on www.kipcokil@hotmail.com or just come in.

Care and Connect aims to link people who need support [excluding personal care] with local people, who can provide help on a self employed basis as part of a trusted co operative. Such help might involve shopping, cleaning, company for leisure activities, or simply visiting. The proposed scheme will carry out all the necessary safety and security checks. A survey to assess demand and help secure funding is currently being undertaken. If you want to know more call Trish Miller on 01505 843336.

My next surgeries will be on Saturdays 2nd March and the 6th April at 10am in the McKillop Institute and 11am in the Steeple Hall. In addition and pending the building of the new Johnstone Town hall, I am holding a monthly surgery at 11am again on the first Saturday of the month at the Services Club McDowall Street Johnstone.

You can contact me at any time on 07534156007 or cllr.derek.bibby@ renfrewshire.gov.uk

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Kilbarchan Village Clean Up The Community Council has again organised the annual village clean up for 13th and 14th April.

If you can spare some time to come along to help out then meet at the Village Hall for one or more of these sessions:

• Saturday 13th April - 10am until 12 noon • Saturday 13th April - 2pm until 4pm • Sunday 14th April* - 10am until 12 noon • Sunday 14th April* - 2pm until 4pm

All welcome to help out. HCC ask that you dress in old clothes as it can be dirty work. Gloves, bags and pickers will be provided. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. *The Sunday sessions may be cancelled if there is no litter left after the Saturday sessions.

Contact Bill David 01505 703500 bill@billdavid.co.uk or any member of the Community Council.

Kilbarchan Lilias Day Miss Lilias

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch At the Renfrewshire Council Planning Board meeting on Tuesday 29th January, Cemex UK applied to extend their infilling of the Kilbarchan Quarry for another seventeen years.

I am not a member of the Planning Board but, following personal consideration of the matter, I submitted a letter of objection to this application, and the Board refused to grant an extension of the infilling.

In early January, residents of Gateside Place in Kilbarchan contacted me concerned the lack of street lighting they had suffered for some weeks since December. I made immediate representation to Scottish Power management and strongly argued that this was simply unacceptable to the residents of Gateside Place and had to be rectified. I am pleased to report that within two days Scottish Power acted and lighting was restored.

I was delighted to be able to welcome the Government’s Tourism Minister, Fergus Ewing MSP, to the Castle Semple Visitors Centre on Monday 4th February as one of the local Councillors for Lochwinnoch. Mr Ewing was making a ministerial visit to various sites in Renfrewshire, and I was able to reinforce the point during our discussions that Castle Semple, as part of the wider Clyde Muirshiel Country Park, is one of the jewels in the crown for Renfrewshire as far as attracting visitors is concerned as it is our second highest visitor attraction. Following a meeting we had with Clyde Muirshiel staff the Minister left being very impressed with the beauty of the countryside around Lochwinnoch and what it has to offer both locals and tourists alike.

I moved at the February meeting of Lochwinnoch Community Council that the Development Trust Scotland be asked to attend the March Community Council meeting as they have a wealth of experience in supporting asset transfers across Scotland, and I am delighted this was agreed. I am totally behind every effort to retain the use of the Lochwinnoch Annexe for the benefit of Lochwinnoch and Development Trust Scotland has informed me they will be pleased to attend the next Community Council meeting.

I very much want to make myself available to local residents in Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, and indeed across the whole ward, and my Kilbarchan advice surgery is on the second Wednesday of the month, excluding July, at 8pm in the Steeple Hall, and my Lochwinnoch advice surgery is on the fourth Wednesday of the month, excluding July, at 8pm in the McKillop Institute.

You can also follow me on Twitter at CllrAndy4Ward8. Please come and see me if you have any issues you wish to raise, or alternately call me on 07534 148224, or e-mail me at cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

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With less than six months to go, preparations are underway for Lilias Day 2013. An important part of the proceedings is the selection of Miss Lilias. On Friday 15th March at 7.30pm, the selection of Miss Lilias will take place in the Old Library Centre. To be eligible girls must be at least 16 years old by Lilias Day Saturday 2nd June and live or work in Kilbarchan or Brookfield. This year the successful applicant will receive five driving lessons or a voucher for a spa.

Forms are available from Campbells Newsagents, Kilbarchan or from any committee member.

Reserve a stall

If you would like to book a stall in the public park on behalf of your organisation, you can do this at the Stallholders meeting.

This will take place in the Old Library Centre, Kilbarchan on Tuesday 19th March at 7pm.

For general enquiries, please contact Fiona Fulton by email liliasday@yahoo.co.uk or find us on Facebook.

Kilbarchan National Women’s Register Kilbarchan National Women’s Register Meetings in March are varied: “The History of Underwear” , Easter customs in different countries of the world and a visit to the Hunterian museum and gallery in Glasgow. For more information, visit the website: www.nwr.org

The 11th Habbies Art Class Exhibition ‘This year’s exhibition of paintings will be on display in the Kilbarchan Guide Centre on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th April, between 11am and 8pm and on Saturday 13th April from 10am to 4pm. The entrance fee is just £1 - tea/ coffee & raffle.

We look forward to welcoming old and new friends to this year’s show where the varied work on display at affordable prices may stimulate your visual.

Senses and drive your hand towards your pocket.

‘The tempting display of home baked “goodies” in our ‘Tearoom will stimulate your taste buds and there will be a stunning selection of raffle prizes waiting anxiously to be won.

Last year we gave donations to St Vincent’s Hospice, to Marten’s Progress and to the Paisley MS Society and, through your support, we plan to donate to local charities again this year.

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howwood & elderslie Senior Citizens Scottish Night Howwood Community Council announces that this annual event will be on Saturday 9th March in the Village Hall at 6pm for 6.15pm. This event is open to all Howwood residents aged 60 and over. Pre booking for the event including transport requirements is essential. Tickets can be ordered from Bill David - 01505 703500; Linda Smith - 01505 705157; Douglas Paxton - 01505 705967; Christine Scarsbrook - 01505 704083.

Your tickets will be delivered to you prior to the event.

Contact Bill David 01505 70 3500 bill@billdavid.co.uk or any member of the Community Council to pre book your tickets and / or arrange transport.

Can I first of all apologise for not having a column in last months edition of The Advertizer. I was struck down by the flu and not just ‘man flu’ but the real thing! I have been offered a flu jag for the last few years but I have never bothered but next winter I will be first in the queue at the doctors surgery, but back to business:-

Howwood Sports and Hobbies Group

I would like to ask for some support from the residents of Howwood Village to support our local youth club. This is a very successful group and is very well attended however after many years of volunteering the committee have all decided that it is time to step down. I am looking to support them in finding new volunteers to take over the running of the club with initial support from the current volunteers. It would be a huge loss to the children if this group was lost, not to mention to the village as a whole, so I am appealing to anyone who has some spare time on a Thursday evening to support the children and this group to continue.

Please contact the group directly or myself for further details.

Potholes

I have been round the Ward on foot recently and have been horrified about the road conditions. This has been progressively getting worse over the last six months and I am now in regular contact with the roads department to ensure that these repairs are carried out timeously and efficiently. If there are areas of particular concern please contact me in order to discuss.

Speeding Traffic

On Valentines day, the council announced its budget for 2013/2014 and there was some good news for the village - an extra £4.3 million to be spent on roads and pavements and hopefully some of it will find its way to Howwood.

Hall charges are to be frozen and after recent price hikes users of the village hall will I am sure be delighted. The cost of hiring the new pitch at Johnstone High is to be cut in half and concessions for young people who use sports facilities is to be raised from 30 per cent to 50 per cent. So good news for people who take part in sports. You can get full details of the councils budget on the council’s website.

I recently visited the ROAR club in Ralston in Paisley which caters for the need of our older people. These clubs are supported by the council and provide an active social life for many people who might otherwise be alone for most of the day. Many of us will be hopefully be living longer and I believe these clubs are vital for the future of our communities and I hope they can be continued to supported by government both locally and nationally.

Back to young people I have heard that there are plans to start a Scout Group in the village. As someone who attended the BB I appreciate how important these kind of organisations can be . I wish the group every success.

I have been told by the volunteers who run the Sports and Hobbies group that meets in the Village Hall on a Thursday night that they are likely to be giving up the work they carry out on behalf of the village in the summer.

I am also continuing to work on the issues of speeding within the village and have met with council officials on several occasions to discuss specific area.

I will keep you posted on these on a regular basis. It is very concerning to me and local residents that traffic is speeding throughout the village without any consideration for the children and residents who live there.

After 13 years they feel that they have done their bit and would be happy to see others take over. The club provides activities for up to 80 youngsters and. I would t like to see it close. So if anyone would be interested in getting involved in this worthwhile organisation let me know and I will pass on your details .

Council Budget

By the time you read this the cut off date for comments on the council’s Local Plan will have passed. I know the Community Council have put in a submission. It would be worthwhile having a look in order to see what is planned for the village

The council set it’s budget in February and by now you should have received my newsletter highlighting the specific details of this. Should you require additional information or wish to discuss further please do not hesitate to contact me.

Surgeries

Following consideration of my surgeries I have decided to alter them to accommodate constituents. Further details will be submitted through the advertiser and the council website.

My surgeries at present are being held weekly on a Thursday evening, however these will be subject to change and I will update you on these changes.

Howwood Village Hall - 1st Thursday of every month - 6pm to 7pm. Cochrane Castle/St David’s Joint Campus, West Johnstone - 1st Thursday of every month 7.15 to 8pm. Auchenlodment Primary School - 3rd Thursday of every month - 5.15pm to 5.50pm. Elderslie Village Hall - 3rd Thursday of every month - 6pm to 7pm. Surgery details may change particularly during school and public holidays, please call to confirm times and dates of surgeries. If you are unable to attend I am more than happy to meet with you at your home in order to discuss any issues that you may have.

You can also contact me on 01505 706568 or mobile 07534156198. email: cllr.stephen.mcgee@renfrewshire.gov.uk

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I will close now and remember my surgery is on between 6pm and 7pm on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Village Hall and of course everybody is welcome.

Howwood WRI Howwood Womens’ Rural Institute meet in Howwood Village Hall at 7.30pm. Members please note there will be a sales table each month except November, December and April. The proceeds from the sales tables to be donated to St Vincent’s Hospice. Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from September to April.

Tues 19th March - Talk by Evelyn Hood the Author. Competition - Spring Bulbs. Hostesses: Mrs Nana Glen & Mrs Anne McCallum. Vote of Thanks: Mrs Ellen Osbourne Tues 16th April - Flower Arrangements by Caroline Holmes of Twisted Willow Bespoke Florist. Mini Show - Schedule enclosed with syllabus.

AGM and TROPHY PRESENTATION. Hostesses: Mrs Cath Love & Mrs Ellen Osbourne. Vote of Thanks: Mrs Chris Darroch Outing details for 2013 - Saturday 18th May or Tuesday 21st May.

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World Day of Prayer at St Fillan’s, Houston 7.30pm, Friday 1st March. This is a “Churches Together” or ecumenical service which is open to all. This year’s service was written by the Christian women of France and is entitled, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Alors, bienvenue a tous! This is a joint effort between St Fillan’s and Houston and Killellan Kirk, who alternate every year.

Fairtrade Fortnight Stall Houston & Killellan Kirk - Sunday 10th March After morning 12noon)

service

(at

approximately

Quality foodstuffs and tasteful crafts. Coffee, tea and homebaking.

Please come along and support us - thank you.

Please look for the FAIRTRADE Mark on products. It’s your guarantee that disadvantaged farmers and workers in the developing world are getting a better deal.

Houston Kirk gets us scratching our heads Houston Kirk fundraising events continue to crowd our diaries.

The Social Committee are hosting a Quiz Night with a Fish and Chip Supper in the Kirk Hall on Saturday 16th March starting at 7pm sharp.

Make up your own table of eight or buy your tickets and join a table on arrival at the hall. Tickets are on sale today at the rear of the Kirk from the Social Committee or telephone Marilyn (01505 613083). Tickets are £6 and the event is BYOB. Attention all football fans! Our sealed envelope auction may bring you the prize of your dreams!

Joe Hart the England and Manchester City Goalkeeper has kindly donated a pair of his red and white Umbro boots (size 10.5) which are to be auctioned in aid of The Houston Kirk Extension Fund. The boots are initialled on the heel and signed “J Hart ”.

Bids are also invited for a “St Mirren” Football signed by the first team.

And a Glasgow Rangers 125th Limited Edition Boxed Malt Whisky Decanter.

Fairtrade in Houston and Bridge of Weir One World Celebration

Bridge of Weir and Houston Fairtrade Group held a highly successful event on November 3rd 2012, their purpose being to engage with the local community to educate, publicise and promote Fairtrade in the area. Stalls were set up in the British Legion Hall in Bridge of Weir. The Bridge of Weir and Houston Fairtraders were joined by several other groups, trying to help poorer communities or brightening up our own village. Villagers could choose special, handmade gifts for Christmas presents, enjoy coffee and home baking or a delicious Arabic lunch provided by Wendy Khatib.

Visitors could choose between beautiful Palestinian and Peruvian crafts or goods from Rainbow Turtle, or learn more about Christian Aid. Green fingered villagers could volunteer to help ‘ Brighter Bridge of Weir’ improve our village with Christmas decorations and flowers. Face Painting also proved popular, as did the cups of Persian Samovar tea provided by Marokh Majidi.

Sealed bids for each item to be submitted to: Robert Thorburn, 18 Lawmarnock Crescent, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3AS by Friday 15th March 2013.

A poster competition attracted an impressive number of entries from the three local Primary schools, with over 100 colourful posters decorating the walls of the Legion hall. The first prize went to Daniel Meek from Bridge of Weir Primary, second prize to Houston pupil Innes Craig and third prize to Emily Wilson from St Fillan’s.

Houston and Crosslee SWRI

Everyone was entertained by choirs from St Fillan’s and Bridge of Weir Primaries, singing songs from around the world.

Mr Douglas Boatman will talk about Spring Flowers and Shrubs on Wednesday 13th March at 7.30pm in the Compass Centre. There will be plants for sale. Visitors will be very welcome. The Handiwives will work on unfinished projects on Monday 4th March at 7.30pm in the Bowling Club.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2013

The next Fairtrade date for your calendar will be Saturday 2nd March, when the Co-op stores in Bridge of Weir and Houston will be offering free Fairtrade snack and food taster samples to their customers.

Social Events at Houston Kirk The Social Committee have been planning a set of exciting events to entertain us and also raise funds for the Kirk Extension.

March 16th we are planning a Quiz Night with a fish and chip supper. You can expect to have a wonderful time at all of these events. Please give them your support!

You can also use Easy Fundraising to help raise money for the Kirk Extension! Support Houston & Killellan Kirk Building Fund for free when shopping online with over 3000 popular retailers, including Argos, M&S, John Lewis, Debenhams, Amazon, eBay, B&Q, Vodafone, DELL, Sky, Thomson, Interflora, Asda, Tesco and many more. ?http://www. easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/hkk Raise funds for Houston & Killellan Kirk Building Fund when you search the Web with easysearch - the best results are from Yahoo!, Bing and Ask.com in one simple search. http://hkk.easysearch.org.uk

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houston, crosslee & brookfield Houston and Killellan Kirk Guild Houston and Killellan Kirk Guild is held every second Tuesday in the Church Hall, Main Street Houston where you would made very welcome our dates for March are as follows:1st March - World Day of Prayer St Fillan’s Houston; 5th March - As Time Goes By speaker Aliffe McPhail; 19th March - AGM

H.O.S.T. The Carrick Centre, Houston What’s on March 2013

Monday to Friday: Houston Community Nursery 01505 615876; Woodlands After School 01505 615438 MONDAY: Embroiderers’ Guild (weekly) 10am/12noon, Young Farmers 4th at 7.30pm, Yoga ( over 50’s) at 1.15pm. M Laidlaw 01505 842877 TUESDAY: Tots Gym class 1.30pm, Paint Pot Tots (weekly) 10am D Campbell 07789 262350, Pilates (weekly) 7.30/8.30pm. J McKellar 01505 612391, Yoga (weekly) 7pm M/s Lawson 01505 613690 WEDNESDAY: Camera Club (weekly) 7.30pm, Melody Makers 13th 27th 7pm, Drama Class 5-6pm. C Collins 07814 699127. Galaxy Dancing 4pm. Houston Community Council 20th 7.30pm. Councillors Surgeries 20th 6.30pm. French Class (weekly) Madame McDevitt 0141 886 6282 THURSDAY: Crafty Friends 7th 21st 7.30pm. Folk Club (weekly) 8pm.

French Class (weekly) Madame McDevitt 0141 886 6282 FRIDAY: Galaxy Dancing 3.30pm SATURDAY: Galaxy Dancing 9.30am SUNDAY: Baptist Church 11am & 6pm

Eva Sweeney’s Extreme Hair Cut Fundraising Eva Sweeney from Bridge of Weir is in Primary 5 at St Fillan’s Primary School in Houston.

Eva has decided to cut off over a foot of her hair for charity. She is donating her hair to an organisation that makes wigs for children who have suffered hair loss due to cancer treatments www.littleprincess. org.uk and all money raised from the sponsors are going to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Eva has set up a ‘just giving’ page and had set herself a target of £500. After she has had the page for 5 days, she has reached her target and is absolutely delighted.

Eva will be cutting off her hair during the Easter break and is looking for sponsors, so if you would like to help this amazing charity, please visit her ‘just giving; page at www.justgiving. com/claire-sweeney2

Booking enquiries to Ian Simpson 01505 612203 or Sandy Young 01505 613613 or The Coffee Shop

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BRIDGE OF WEIR

church lists

Freeland Church, Rev KN Gray BA BD. Morning Service 10.30am. Crèche, Sunday School, Lynx and Cornerstone. Evening Service 7pm Web site www.freeland.org.uk St Mary’s Episcopal (Anglican) Church.

Delighting to praise God; Showing Christ’s love; Growing in faith Morning Service on Sundays at 10am; we have a regular cycle of prayer for those who live and work in Bridge of Weir. The dates of prayers for local roads are as follows: 3rd Mar - Kilgraston Road; 10th Mar - Kilmacolm Road; 17th Mar - Kirkinner Place; 24th Mar - Knox Avenue; 31st Mar Ladebank Terrace. For further information see our noticeboard, or to ask for special prayers, or in pastoral emergency please call 01505 612807, 01505 842629 or 01505 613402.

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Rev Suzanne Dunleavy BD DipEd. Sunday services at 10.30am. Crèche. Hearing aid loop system.

All welcome.

Hope Hall, Sun 1pm Sunday School, 4.30pm Gospel Service; Mon 6.30pm Investigators for Kids, 8pm Bible Study and Prayer.

Faith Christian Fellowship Sundays at 11am in the Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir. Tel: 0800 298 4875 email: fcf@ lifeonfire.org.uk From the Bahá’i writings: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” For information and details of meetings, call Bridge of Weir 615641.

HOUSTON

Langbank Camera Club Despite the cold weather a good turnout of members enjoyed Gary Ramanathan’s presentation on nature photography. Shots of forked lightening, forest fires, polar bears and ‘drookit’ rabbits were included in a wide range of exciting subjects. The February competition subject was ‘street photography’ and David Robb’s picture of Paisley High Street and Gary Ramanathan’s Port Glasgow entry were voted first and second.

Again, members discussed how local community projects could be set up to encourage more people to use their cameras. The next meeting will be held on 11th March at 7.30pm in the Church Halls.

Competition will be ‘winter scenes’.

t: 01505 613340

Houston and Killellan Kirk. 1 Mar 7.30pm World Day of Prayer Service at St Fillan’s Church; 3rd Mar 11am Morning Worship - Guest Minister Rev Alexander Macdonald MABD. PLEASE NOTE NO 9.45am service; 10th Mar 11am Morning Worship: FAIRTRADE STALL; 17th Mar 11am Morning Worship - Congregational Meeting will take place immediately after Morning Service. Look up our website www.houstonkirk.org For more information contact Rev D Snelson on 01505 612722.

Church of the Nazarene, Houston, at the Village Hall, Main street, Houston. PA6 7EL. Rev Benito S Coetzee. Family services at 10.30am with full toddler, children and youth activities running concurrently with the service. Youth meets at 6.30-8pm on Sundays. Word and Table Quiet Service held from 9 - 9.30am every third Sunday. Visit our website: www. houston.nazarene.org.uk St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston. World Day of Prayer at St Fillan’s, Houston: 7.30pm, Fri 1st Mar. This is a “Churches Together” or ecumenical service which is open to all. This year’s service was written by the Christian women of France and is entitled, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”.

Alors, bienvenue a tous! Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat) 5pm, 9.30am & 11am. Weekday Mass: Tues-Sat 9.30am except Thurs, 7pm.

Reconciliation: Sat 10-10.30am and after Vigil Mass; Thurs 7.30-8pm. Exposition: As announced. Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month by arrangement. Parish Priest: Rev Daniel J McLoughlin, Dip.Th.,MA Pastoral Assistant: Sr Mary Frances Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514). “Abbotsfield”, St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. Tel: 01505 612046, Fax: 01505 610556. Email: parish@ stfillan.org.uk. www.stfillan.org.uk.

HOWWOOD

Howwood Parish Church, Sun 11am. Rev David Stewart. MA BD MTH. Prayer meetings held in the vestry every Sun at 10am & Fri at 7.30pm, 3 Bowfield Way.

KILBARCHAN

Kilbarchan East Church. Sacrament of Holy Communion, celebrated at 11am and 6.30pm on Sunday 3rd, both services conducted

by Rev Kenneth Gray. The Stated Annual Meeting is at 12noon after the service on Sun 24th. Leading up to Easter, on Maundy Thurs 28th the service at 7pm will be led by the choir singing excerpts from Bob Chilcott’s Requiem. There is a joint service with the West church on Good Friday in the East church at 7pm and of course on Easter Day, Sun 31st Mar, the service is at 11am, conducted by Mr Russell Banks. Sunday School, Bible Class and the crèche continue in the halls each Sun from 10.45am.

Kilbarchan West Parish Church. Minister – Rev Arthur Sherratt BD. Easter Services: Sunday 10 Mar - Mothers’ Day and Cradle Roll Service - 11am; Monday 25 to Thurs 28th Mar - Holy Week Services - 7pm; Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday; Friday 29th Mar - Good Friday Service in East Church; Sun 31st Mar - Service at Weavers Cottage - 8.30am; Morning Worship - 11am. Sunday Service at 11am, Crèche, Junior Church and FEWsion meet at 10.45am. Midweek Fellowship meets every Wednesday at 10.30am in the Session House for tea/coffee and chat followed by a short informal act of worship at 11am.

KILMACOLM

St Colm’s Catholic Church The Very Rev William Canon McDade – Sunday morning family mass 10am.

Kilmacolm Old Kirk Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291).www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org. uk. Minister Rev Dr Peter McEnhill (01505 873174). Morning Worship - Sundays 11am, all welcome. Sunday School and Crèche available.

St Columba Church of Scotland. (charity no.

SC007992) Minister Rev Douglas Cranston.

Kilmacolm – Easter Week Services 2013: Sunday 24th Mar – 11am – Rev Douglas Cranston; Sun 24th Mar – 6.30pm – Rev Angus Stewart, Whiteabbey, N Ireland Mon 25th Mar – 7.30pm – Rev Angus Stewart, Whiteabbey, N Ireland. Tues 26th Mar – 7.30pm – Rev Robin Sydserff, Edinburgh Wednesday 27 Mar – 7.30pm – Rev Douglas Cranston Thurs 28th Mar – 7.30pm (including Communion) – Rev Douglas Cranston Frid 29th Mar – 7.30pm – Rev Alex Ross, London Sun 31st Mar – 9.30am (including Communion) – Rev Douglas Cranston Sunday 31 Mar – 11am – Rev Alex Ross, London.

Sunday worship 11am Sunday School and Little Praisers. Wednesday Break 10.30am in large Hall. Church Prayer meeting Thurs at 8.15pm.

Gospel Services in The Scout Hall, Kilmacolm Sundays 4.30pm, Thurs 7.30pm.

St Fillan’s Episcopal (Anglican) Church Sundays 11.30am Rev Colum McGranaghan has now retired and we are in a vacancy however all the Services in both Churches are continuing their normal pattern.

LANGBANK

Langbank Parish Church - Rev Andrew McLean.

Sunday Services 10am with Sunday School, Creche and young people’s group, the Welcomers. Tea and coffee after the service - all welcome. Langbank Church of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC015085.

LOCHWINNOCH

Lochwinnoch Parish Church - Rev Mhairi Breingan. 11am Morning Service with Sunday School and Crèche.

Calder United Free Church (Church St Lochwinnoch) Sunday: 11am Morning worship with Sunday School and Crèche.

6.30pm Evening Fellowship group, 7.30pm ABC’s Teen group. Wed 6.30-7.30pm.

QUARRIERS

Mount Zion Church, Rev Andy Lunn Bsc. 10.30am in Bethesda, Junior Church and Bible Class. The Event for young people, making Church fun for everyone, every 3rd Sunday monthly at 6.30pm. Visit www. mountzionfellowship.org.uk

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22/02/2013 09:25:54

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PCPC Competition Results Paisley Colour Photographic Club were very pleased to welcome top photographer James Dyas LRPS (Lanark) to judge the second of the session’s three bimonthly competitions held recently at the McMaster Centre in Renfrew.

In this competition, club members could submit up to three images and James gave very detailed critique to each of the ninety three images submitted in the three sections: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced. Not only was his commentary full of humour and anecdotes, he gave kind, encouraging comments and was also instructive and informing, providing members with a plethora of useful hints such as stressing how the selection of an appropriate title can enhance an image.

There was a wide range of photographic styles and subjects submitted and the standard of entry was very high throughout the three sections.

In the Introductory section, third place was awarded to Pauline Smith for her image “Drinker Moth Caterpillar”.

In second place, for the second Bimonthly in a row, was Richard Bennett for his image “Leopard Resting” whilst first place in this section went to Ashleigh Noble for her portrait “Joanne”.

In the Intermediate section, third place was awarded to Ian McIntyre for his image “Free Spirit”. In second place was Andy Kerr with “Pardon Me!” and the top place in this section was awarded to Brian Cairnduff for his Glencoe landscape image “Little Cottage”.

Third place in the Advanced section was awarded to Bill Ham for his landscape image “Converging Furrows”. In second place for his image “Winter Trees” was Jim Black whilst the top image of the 2nd Bimonthly Competition for 2012/13 was judged to be the Glasgow street portrait “Behind You!” by Charles Hamilton.

For further details about PCPC and updated members galleries please view: www.paisleycolour.co.uk

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t: 01505 613340

council & planning Windfarm Proposal Plans will be on show to the public for a £45 million windfarm in the hills above Greenock.

The developers, 2020 Renewables, will run exhibitions in March in the Oak Mall, Greenock and the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm (see the advert right for details).

A busy month across the constituency has included local meetings relating to the draft Renfrewshire local plan.

As reported in last months Advertizer, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils are currently consulting on their Local Development Plans, which guide new development and subsequent planning decisions. I have fed local comments to the relevant planning officials.

Renfrewshire Labour councillors complained about the budget settlement in last months Advertizer. Renfrewshire Council’s Labour administration has managed to go from a strong financial footing to a “£16m cash black hole” according to the council leader. Labour knew what the budget settlement was before the council elections so I’m at a loss as to why they have lost their financial grip so soon.

Despite UK funding cuts, local government has been treated very fairly by the Scottish Government, and that includes Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Council. Local government’s share of Scottish government spend is maintained and is higher than when Labour were in office.

The local government body for Scotland, of which Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Councils are members, have agreed with how local government finances are distributed. Renfrewshire Council, in 2013-14 will receive £300 million from Scottish Government, and will have spent over £1billion over the spending review period. An additional £44.9 million will be released in 2013-14 for new local government capital projects on the condition that councils spend this on projects that are ‘ready to go’ to encourage economic recovery. By that we don’t mean refurbished councillors’ offices, which was Labour’s first priority of capital spending in Renfrewshire!

I have also raised local matters including Bridge of Weir traffic calming, and issues relating to bus services. I visited Quarriers and have been in correspondence regarding the post offices in Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir.

In the Scottish Parliament we have covered a range of issues including the Scottish budget. The Scottish budget includes commitments to the council tax freeze, free prescriptions, police numbers, investment in education and concessionary travel.

The Scottish Government has been clear that we aim to deliver at least 30,000 affordable homes across Scotland during the lifetime of this parliament and the budget will deliver this.

We are also providing an immediate capital stimulus, through support for shovel ready projects and are helping businesses with local tax reliefs.

I announced new business rates reliefs for 2013-14 to help fill empty properties.

We have passed stage 1 of the high hedges member’s bill. I am aware of the issue of antisocial actions and the frustration it can cause to constituents.

Scotland is the only part of the UK without legislation to deal with the problem of the height of a hedge, so I am glad we are remedying this.

Surgeries

As well as holding regular traditional advice surgeries in a range of venues across the constituency, I also hold telephone surgeries on Monday mornings between 10am and 11am (except for public holidays). Constituents can call me at my constituency office on 0141 885 2076 to discuss any issues that they have.

If you would like to meet with me you can visit one of my surgeries in Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir, Erskine, Bishopton, Renfrew or Gallowhil. You can contact or visit my constituency office at 37 Hairst Street in Renfrew.

Even if I am at the Scottish Parliament, my staff will be able assist with a wide range of issues. I can also be contacted by email: derek.mackay. msp@scottish.parliament.uk

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Proposals are for up to 10 turbines 110 metres-tall to run across Burnhead Moor and Devol Moor with the highest point at Corlic Hill. The plan would also involve creating a new access track 1.6km long from Dougliehill Road to Harelaw across Devol Moor.

The site lies a couple of miles south of Greenock town centre, three kilometres south west of Port Glasgow and over seven north-west of the centre of Kilmacolm. Its potential visual impact is to be assessed by photomontages taken from various viewpoints within a 15km radius of the site.

The preliminary list of viewpoints includes Greenock Tesco car park, Ben Lomond, Lyle Hill, Whinhill Golf Course, Dunoon and Glasgow Airport.

There will be an opportunity to make representations to Inverclyde Council when the formal planning application is submitted.

Duchal Woods Update St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm has decided not to appeal against Inverclyde Council’s refusal of its plan for a multi-million pound development on greenbelt land in the village. Instead it is looking at a “more modest” plan for a previously-considered site.

Bridge of Weir Tenants and Residents Association (BoW TARA) We would like to inform the residents of Bridge of Weir about the following.

The BoW TARA is constituted by Renfrewshire Council and is funded yearly by the Council on the number of Council tenants in the village. The Association is the Tenants and Residents voice within the village so we urge you to come along to our monthly meetings which are held on the third Tuesday on each month from 7.30pm onwards in the Cargill Hall. The Association has been operating since 1998 but we still feel a lot of the Tenants and Residents don.t know about our monthly meetings and how we can support you. Over the years we have resolved many issues in the village whether it was housing, roads or environmental. No matter how small or how large your issue is we look at every issue as a priority to be resolved in the interest of the Tenants and Residents. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 19th March and our AGM is on Tuesday 16th April.

Matters arising from the meeting held on Tuesday 19th February are as follows The police reported that out of the 6 crimes/offences reported last month one has been detected and investigations are ongoing on the other 5.

Parking is an ongoing problem within the village especially with cars parking on pavements in Maxwell Place often blocking the fire exit of the Co-op.

John McNicol, Project Manager Renfrewshire Council / Scottish Housing Quality Standards reported that so far 80 houses out of the 217 Council houses have had the internal works completed. Various Tenants then raised numerous issues which John said he would investigate ASAP Roads - the following pot holes and collapsed drains in the Kilgraston area, Kilmacolm Road, Houston Road and Main Street will be reported to Drew McNab. As will the question raised by residents of why Lintwhite Crescent / Moss Road is not gritted when snowy or icy as this is a bus route.

Kilgraston / Shillingworth Planning Application. G Hanley and J McAulay gave us a brief explaination of the proposed development at Shillingworth which is greenbelt and at time of this going to print the cut off for objections to be submitted will have passed (25th February). It was unaniously agreed by a show of hands that the Association should write a letter of objection to the Head of Planning and this has now been posted.

Councillor J Maclaren gave us a report which has been summerised as follows. The Renfrewshire Wardens are monitoring dog fouling throughout the village but are concentrating on Station Road at present. Traffic calming in Lintwhite Crescent / Moss Road. Fly Tipping. Right of Way along Locher water walk. Road improvements. as well as other issues too numerous to mention in this medium.

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Inverclyde Wind Farm Public Exhibitions

2020 Renewables is delighted to announce dates for a series of public exhibitions of their plans for a wind farm near Corlic Hill, south of Greenock.

Exhibition Schedule Saturday 2nd March 10am-4pm

Oak Mall Shopping Centre, (Unit 2, beside W H Smiths) Hamilton Gate, Town Centre, Greenock PA15 1JW

Thursday 7th March 2pm-8pm

Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4LE At the Exhibitions you will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals, ask questions and put forward your views to the 2020 Renewables project team directly. Members of the public have until Friday 22nd March to submit their comments on the proposal. All are invited to attend and we look forward to meeting you there.

Further information on the proposals can be obtained from by contacting Alasdair Macleod on 01475 749950 or at inverclyde@2020renewables. co.uk.

Please note that comments made to 2020 Renewables at the exhibition and thereafter are not representations to Inverclyde Council. You will have an opportunity to make representations to Inverclyde Council when our formal planning application is submitted. We will keep you updated with our progress.

Houston Residents Fight to Stop Greenbelt Housing Development Houston residents are campaigning against Renfrewshire Council’s proposals in their draft Local Development Plan to permit two new housing developments in land currently designated as “Greenbelt”.

The residents claim that the Council appears to be promoting the interests of two particular housing developers over residents’ interests and in contravention of virtually all of Council policies and parameters on where development can be permitted.

Less than 2 years ago the Council declared that the East of Fleming Road site was not suitable for residential development, due to constraints of access and flooding. Those constraints have worsened in latter years.

Both sites incorporate marshlands and floodplains that actively prevent flooding. The developers propose to remove the flood plain, with possibly devastating consequences not only to the residents of Burnlea Crescent, but to all houses downstream.

Houston’s sewage infrastructure is in poor condition: in recent weeks raw sewage was flowing onto the East of Fleming Road site and historically other areas in the sewage network regularly fail – resulting in local contamination.

In addition to proposals for 30 houses at the old “Urquhart House” and “Killallan House” Brownfield sites, there would be 33 more at the Greenbelt sites. Building 63 new houses in this beautiful Conservation Village would detrimentally affect safety in the surrounding narrow roads. 63 more homes also need schooling and medical facilities, which are already at their limits.

Houston residents cannot understand why Greenbelt development is even being considered, when so many vacant Brownfield sites already exist in Renfrewshire, with the biggest at 2500 houses - ROF Bishopton - a few short miles away.

More at www.savehoustongreenbelt.org

submitted by Save Houston Greenbelt group

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schools news

Gryffe High School - Young Musician 2013

With the help of the music department, thirteen nervous finalists provided a fine evening of music in the school theatre. They knew that their performance would be scrutinised by the thorough adjudication of Mr David Murray. Every performer produced outstanding music but at the end of the night there had to be winners.

Particular Congratulations to: Junior Section 1st – Bruce Wards – Prelude and Toccata Piano.

Intermediate Section 1st – Adam Robertson – Alka Setzer Guitar.

Senior Section 1st – Stewart Wards La Colombe Piano. ….but huge congratulations to ALL of the finalists….

1st Houston and Crosslee Scout Group

Special thanks must go firefighter Stephen Burns and the rest of the team who gave up part of their shift. Indeed the fire crews were called out to a real fire just as the tour finished.

Howwood Beavers & 1st Howwood Guides

Howwood Beavers are started in the Church Hall on Friday 1st February (term time) from 6.15pm-7.30pm for any boy or girl between the age of 5 and a half and 8 and a half. Contact Lorna Poole 01505 705098.

Activities of Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Rangers and Beavers The 1st Howwood Guide Unit has been fundraising in order to support an orphanage in India. They raised £200 with a sponsored swim in November. They also made various craft items, which they sold on their final night in December, and raised a further £110. This money has been forwarded to the orphanage and is being put to excellent use as we speak.

1st Howwood Guides will be performing at the Scottish Evening at Howwood Village Hall on Saturday 9th March.

The Guides, Brownies, Rainbows and Rangers will be presenting a Gang Show in Howwood Parish Church on Wednesday evening, 12th June.

The new Beaver Troop has also been invited to take part. All money raised from this event will go to St Vincent’s Hospice.

Houston Primary School Our recent Scottish afternoon attended and enjoyed by the whole school was outstanding with an array of talent on display. Many children wore tartan which added a sense of style to the occasion.

The children enjoyed being piped in by Justin Langan and Jack Stewart.

This was followed by The Address to The Haggis ably recited by Christopher Feeney, Christopher Torrance and Jack Stewart.

Congratulations to our Scots poetry winners, Ava Waddell, P2 ; Jamie Newton, P3; Roc Hart, P4 ;Ruaridh Fraser, P5; Jack Young, P6; Neve Ferguson, P7.

Every child learned a Scottish poem and received a certificate for their efforts.

Our poetry winners and pipers will now progress to the

A number of the younger Scouts attended a very informative visit to Cowcaddens Fire Brigade Station in Glasgow in mid January.

The scouts were given a briefing on fire safety before being shown around the station.

They were then allowed to become fire fighters for the night and got to wear the full gear, including jackets, helmets and gas masks as well as acting out the report procedures and management briefing. Further to this, the boys were allowed to try out the high pressure hoses as well as being shown all the equipment that is carried by a standard fire engine.

t: 01505 613340

Renfrewshire finals and we wish them all the best of luck.

The only disappointment was that the boys were not allowed to slide down the fireman’s pole due to Health and Safety restrictions!!

The group are still looking for helpers for both the committee and with leader vacancies. It is essential that we fill these posts in the near future. Otherwise the group will struggle to run in its current format. Therefore we especially urge parents of beavers, cubs and scouts to become more involved. This only requires individuals to give up a couple of hours per month.

Anyone interested in helping should speak to any of the leaders.

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St Columba’s School Choir Record Charity Single The SI choir was invited by folk singer and former pupil, Eilidh Grant, to provide the backing vocals for a charity record to support Motor Neurone Disease Scotland. Eilidh, whose debut album ‘Masks and Smiles’ won the Scottish New Music Award in 2011, attended the recording last Tuesday afternoon. She said, “The song is an old sea shanty called Bound Away My Lassie and I have composed a new tune for the song. I have very fond memories of being a member of the School choir at St Columba’s and I thought that the pupils would enjoy the experience of being part of this special project. When I first heard them sing I knew they were perfect. They have such a sweet sound and retain a lovely innocence.”

New Pre-School Hours From August 2013, we are delighted to offer fullday provision for fouryear-old children. The service will be available Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, with 8.30am – 12.30pm the core, compulsory aspect of the day.

Parents will be able to request additional hours of care. Nursery, for three year olds, will become available five days per week instead of the current four days. All snacks, meals and drinks will be provided by the School. For more details please contact Mrs Alison Duncan, Head of Junior School on 01505 872768.

St Columba’s FP & School Hockey/Rugby Matches Please come along and support the teams on Saturday 23rd March. The FP v School hockey match begins at 09.30am at the Astroturf. School and Former Pupils’ Rugby matches are from 10.30am at Birkmyre Park.

St Columba’s Former Pupils’ AGM This will be held at St Columba’s Senior School, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm on 20th March at 7.30pm. All former pupils, former staff and friends of the School are welcome to attend.

Langbank Playgroup Becoming independent is one of the joys of growing up and it’s what we encourage at Langbank Playgroup; here we are buttering our own delicious crumpets and enjoying sociable snack together too. We have lots of opportunities to learn life skills like independence and freedom of choice when recognising our own name card, choosing a particular picture to paint, taking off socks and shoes and putting on outdoor clothing at collection time.

Our free play time is also a wonderful opportunity to see what’s available and to choose a particular activity on your own or as part of a team. Lots to challenge young minds! Why not come along for a visit sometime and see what your child can enjoy; children from Langbank and surrounding areas, aged from 2yrs 6mths most welcome on Friday mornings during term time. We are having a Ladies Pamper Night on Friday 1st March at 7.30pm in the village hall, come along and enjoy being pampered. Also another Ragbag collection in March so keep hold of those unwanted textiles. Please contact our Chair, Jacqueline, on 01475 540728 for more details.

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St Columba Church Playgroup Playgroup continues to be very busy as our picture shows - what a lot of different activities going on! The dressing-up is always popular and we usually have a morning full of princesses, spidermen and firemen not to mention a few doctors and patients with wonderful learning opportunities for sharing, conversation and co-operation. Painting and physical play is always on offer too plus a cosy corner with the books.

In February, we said Goodbye to Liz Murray of Octokids who has provided six wonderful music and dance sessions and now we welcome Christine Anderson of Inverclyde Gymnastics to help us get moving and flexible.

With a wealth of play and learning on your doorstep, plus two qualified and experienced Playleaders, why not contact us for a visit. Two year old places limited so please get in touch soon for August starts and come along for a visit if you are interested in a place on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning or give our membership secretary Jenny a call on 07557 656968.

Our toddler group runs every Wednesday morning between 10am and 11.30am for children from birth to 3 years, and is a great chance for your little ones to try out different toys and make new friends while the mums, dads, grandparents and carers have a chat over a cup of tea. Please contact our toddler secretary Fiona on 07816 513693 for more information. We always look forward to welcoming new faces.

The committee is busy planning the Spring Craft Fair on Saturday 20th April so look out for more details to follow plus we have an exciting range of events planned for the rest of the year.

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Beating the Winter Blues in Kilbarchan Primary

t: 01505 613340

Bridge of Weir Primary Nursery pupils Bridge of Weir Primary Nursery pupils become Gryffe Scientists for a Day Around 80 children from Bridge of Weir Primary School Nursery came to Gryffe High School to do some exciting science experiments.

The first experiment was making some “toothpaste for elephants.”

A Bunsen burner was then lit in the classroom behind a protective plastic shield. A chemical was sprayed onto the flame to change the colour of the flame –

The Press team, Sarah Henderson and Mia Druce of P7, reported lots of activity in Kilbarchan Primary in the month of January.

During our “Food Focus Week” we were looking at healthy foods. Children were taught all about healthy eating, exercise and hygiene and were encouraged to eat healthier snacks and lunches. P1 – 5 were also given the challenge of making a healthy snack with a friend or family member at home, and P6 & 7 were encouraged to make a healthy meal. Many of the children really enjoyed their snacks and meals and will use their new found skills to eat healthily all year round. Many of the classes also made great healthy snacks such as wraps, sandwiches and soda bread.

“The sandwich I made was really tasty”, said Nina Docherty, P4. Pupils were also given the chance to try new fruits, such as pineapple and melon, during lunchtime.

“Food Focus Week is great every year and I love trying new healthy foods,” said Emma Moore, P3.

Also this term, as part of their Rainforest Topic, P6 all enjoyed a day out at “Amazonia”. They saw many animals including leaf-cutter ants, a toucan, bats, a tarantula, a python, vervet monkeys and a camen. They also enjoyed a petting zoo where they held a toad, a dragon bearded lizard and a snake. Children were able to play 3D rainforest games such as “Create a Rainstorm” and “Catch the Butterflies”.

“It was great fun”, said Brooke and Lewis, P6.

Houston Community Nursery Love was in the air last month at Houston Community Nursery. We made beautiful Valentine’s Cards and took them home to give to someone special. We also made some delicious marshmallows dipped in chocolate and decorated with love hearts; however, it is uncertain how many of these were taken home as gifts for loved ones and how many were scoffed on the way home from nursery!

We used The Very Hungry Caterpillar to start us talking and thinking about our planning way back in August and we are still thinking about all the different themes within the

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making it look a bit like fireworks. There were lots of different colours, like green, red, pink and blue. All the children were very excited when the flame changed different colours and many of them shouted out each colour.

The children joined in the next activity. A volunteer was asked to feel some cornflour.

When the cornflour was in a tub it felt cold and hard but when the child lifted the cornflour up in their hands, it turned gooey and it ran through their fingers. The children loved getting into a mess with the mixture.

Cool homemade traffic lights were next! There is a red liquid in a glass jar. With a shake of the glass flask, the liquid turned amber and then green.

All the nursery children were amazed.

The children were delighted with their first taste of science in a real science lab. Many left talking about the ‘speriments’ that they had seen……..and rumour has it that a few of the children were so excited the night before their visit that they did not sleep Mrs McAleavy, who had organised the visits said ‘ It was a real pleasure for all of us to have the nursery children visit our department. They were very well behaved and enthusiastic and we look forward to seeing them again in the future ‘ Article – Shona Ferguson S1. Photos – Andrew Grant & Jasmine Galvin (both S1) story. We have been talking and thinking about growing and this month we grew cress; we had to ensure the seeds had the right conditions to grow and then we monitored and recorded their growth. This got us thinking about spring and about growth and new life.

We are very excited about our chicken eggs arriving later in the spring for us to nurture into chicks! If we are very lucky we will have some special spring visitors into nursery too – spring lambs!

If you would like to visit us at the nursery and see the work that we do please give us a call 01505 615876 or email us houstonnursery@aol.com.

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Bridge of Weir Primary School “Spring may have (barely) sprung but a spectacular Highland Fling was well and truly flung recently with our hugely successful Family Ceilidh night. Essentially organised by our dedicated Parent Council as a social occasion to facilitate a sense of continued community amongst our school families, it also managed to raise almost £400 for school funds.

Considering the high quality of the fantastic Ceilidh Band, not to mention the wonderful raffle prizes – thanks in particular to Amaretto Bistro and Divah Beauty Salon for their generosity – this goes only to prove what an innovative and energetic team we have in our Parent Council. We feel most fortunate that they contribute so much to our school community and we know they would appreciate any available helping hands at their next event which is the Children’s Disco on 27th March.

The entertainment continued with our annual Scottish Concert performed once again for local senior citizens and, for the first time this year, the grandparents of our pupils which led to an audience of over 200 in a s e l l - o u t performance.

All of our children took part in the show, from nursery to P7, which demonstrated their range of abilities in song, poetry and dance, including classics such as The Jeely Piece Song, the Welly Boot Song and Bonnie Wee Jeannie McCall! Our children had a wonderful time both rehearsing and performing which is fun to watch but also, having the confidence to stand on a stage and perform as part of a cohesive group is such an important part of our pupils development. Well done to all our pupils for rising to the occasion so beautifully and our thanks to Marks and Spencer, Braehead for donating the top raffle prize of a basket of Fair Trade goods which raised an impressive £118 for the Fair Trade Foundation.

Love was all around on Valentine’s Day, kicking off with a P1 led assembly who noted the historical origins of the day, gave their own unique explanations of what love means and gave us a rousing jive to the Carpenters’ “Mr Postman”. They also invited our teachers to share what love meant to them which garnered some interesting responses with chocolates, feet up and cups of tea featuring strongly!

We’re confident the love will continue to flow as our Parents Evenings approach on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March and as usual books will be available to buy at the Scholastic Book Fair.

St Fillan’s Primary School P1 pupils have being learning about all things Scottish. They have been learning more about Robert Burns as part of their work on People in the Past. They are looking forward to their trip to Burn’s Cottage later this month.

P2 have been exploring pattern and colour mixing as part of their artwork.

They completed beautiful Katie Morag pictures which are brightening up the school.

P3/4 thoroughly enjoyed their recent trip to Vikingar in Largs. They were delighted when they got to hold a real sword and learned more about this time in history. P4 were out and about in Glasgow for an art fieldtrip recently as part of their work on sculptures. They ended their day in Andy Scott’s art studio and questioned him on the various techniques he uses in his large scale sculptures. They have also been working with artist Alec Galloway on a public art project which will see 2 huge question marks they have decorated being installed in the River Clyde . They used the theme of Children’s Rights in their artwork.

P5 are starting their Anti-Smoking project and have worked with NHS Scotland to find out more about the issues surrounding this topic. They also continue to promote Fairtrade within our school and are selling Fairtrade cotton school polo shirts. P6 pupils are preparing for the annual Euro Quiz and. They are about to start their Victorians project in which they will be sharing their learning with pupils from P4 who will be studying different aspects of Victorian life. P6 also enjoyed their recent involvement in the Winter Games and have recently visited Frankie and Bennies restaurant to interview staff about running a business and also made their own pizzas.

They are also busy working on designing a new bag for the Kelvingrove Art Gallery gift shop.

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Houston Play Park Improvement Group Our Raffle Draw on 31st January went very well with children from both Houston primary schools attending. Most of the prizes were won by local residents with some residents still buying tickets just before the draw!

Children from both schools picked the winning tickets and we raised £3,750 which is a fabulous amount from a community raffle. Thank you to everyone who attended and to Moira in the Carrick Centre for allowing us access to the Carrick Centre for the draw.

Houston Play Park Improvement Group is a group of local residents from across Houston who have come together to raise around £70k to re-develop Crosslee Play Park with equipment specifically for 6-12 years.

Strawberry Field Nursery Since we have come back after the New Year we have once again been very busy.

We Celebrated Burn’s Day by having a ‘Burns Lunch’ we had the traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties and we all dressed in something tartan, and sang Scottish songs.

We have just celebrated Chinese New Year and made a dragon and learned a dragon dance and made flower garlands. We had a Chinese lunch and learned to use chopsticks.

As well as these celebrations we have been learning about “People who help us” we have made emergency vehicles out of “junk”, and learned about the emergency services.

P7 are busy rehearsing for their annual school show which will take place later this month. They recently performed group presentations to our P6 pupils on Scottish inventors with P6 peer assessing them and giving appropriate feedback. Congratulations go to Rian Meighan who has one of his poems on display at Paisley Museum.

Thanks to our Parent Council who organised a successful Valentine’s disco.

It was enjoyed by everyone and the dance floor was full all evening! We also held a Parent Information Evening with a focus on Health & Wellbeing for all our parents. All who attended found the evening useful and aspects of mental, emotional, social, physical & sexual health programme were discussed on the evening. Thanks to all teachers who presented and all parents who attended. Members of our Travel Plan group have been busy working with the Council on designing a new pathway down to our new bus bay. This should help reduce traffic congestion outside the school gates and help the free flow of traffic within the village at busy times. We wish to remind our family members who travel by car that there should also be no parking on the zig zag yellow lines in front of the school or in the space at the front of the church gates. This is to keep the school entrance clear from all traffic so that pupils can make a safe entry and exit from school.

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t: 01505 613340

Woodlands Nursery

Langbank Primary School

The Woodlands family is growing rapidly, with many of the boys and girls becoming big brothers and sisters. The baby boom has so far produced three baby girls and one baby boy – with more to arrive shortly – and we can’t wait to meet them! The children are embracing their new important roles and are excellent helpers for their mums and dads. Congratulations to all the families, and especially to our manager Vicki, her husband Kevin and big sister Rachel on the arrival of Sarah who was born on 21st January weighing in at 7lbs 8oz.

Once again, Primary 5-7 pupils in Langbank Primary took part in the Go Dance 2013 spectacular in the Theatre Royal. The pupils choreographed their own pieces-one of which was a contemporary dance and the other a street dance.

To help them during rehearsals they had the privilege of working with a team of dance students from Stow College.

Karen Rodger, dance tutor at Stow College led the children through their paces both in school and on the night.

Baby Room: This month our topics are Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year. We made beautiful cards to send to our loved ones, with pink hearts on the front. We also had a Valentine’s party with strawberries and loveheart shaped home baking, which was delicious! For Chinese New Year we had food tasting where we tried noodles, Chinese curry and prawn crackers.

We also took home red Chinese lanterns and snake pictures to celebrate this festive at home too.

Tweenies: The Tweenie room have also celebrated Chinese New Year and continuing their learning about different types of transport.

Our walls have pictures of diggers, trains and cars on them which we

The children were an absolute credit to the school, putting on a high quality performance to an audience of hundreds. Parents, staff and pupils cheered them from the audience. As the compere said ‘They may be the smallest school in Renfrewshire but they got the biggest cheer!’ We hope to take part again next year with possibly even extending it to include Primary 1-4 as well.

To keep up their fancy footwork, rehearsals are about to start for this years school show - ‘Olivia’ - a fun filled, action packed show of song and dance. Pupils will be performing in the school on 14th and 15th May. Come along and join the fun!

Kilbarchan Community Nursery The children have had a very busy month with visits out of the nursery. First they travelled by bus to Johnstone Fire station where they learned all about the work of the Firefighters and were able to ask lots of questions to extend their learning.

coloured and painted all by ourselves. We have been going on adventures through the woods to find The Gruffalo and all the creatures in the ‘deep dark wood’ as this is our favourite story book this month.

Rising Fives: To celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake the children in Rising Fives created their own wall display which included Chinese lanterns, Chinese money envelopes, Chinese writing, rice collage pictures and panda collage pictures.

The boys and girls have been watching Sweetie and Sunshine on the Panda Cam at Edinburgh Zoo on the smart board and are all very knowledgeable about Pandas and their habitats.

The fire fighters also brought a fire appliance to the Nursery and gave the children a turn of spraying the fire hoses.

A group of children visited the Playtalkread double decker bus when it came to Houston Square in Johnstone and listened to stories and sang songs upstairs, then played with sand and craft activities downstairs.

We have also been learning our Golden Rules and the boys and girls have been using them well in the playroom as well as at home.

To celebrate Chinese New Year the children made a dragon and danced to Chinese music, before tasting Noodles, rice, prawn crackers and Chinese vegetables.

Out of School Care: The mid-term holiday became a winter wonderland, with the boys and girls being able to play outside in the snow – we all had great fun. Inspired by the recent Moscow State Circus show at Xscape, the new theme is all about the Circus. We are practicing our juggling and balance skills plus learning some fun clown routines too! The Circus theme also extends to our arts and craft projects.

We have an Open Day at Woodlands Out of School Care on Tuesday 26th March, feel free to pop along to see what activities we get up to, all are welcome between 4pm and 6pm. The children and staff have been working very hard creating new wall displays and their rooms are looking so bright and full of the children’s thoughts and ideas.

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If you know anyone with a child

who is now 2, please ask them to visit the nursery for an application form so that we inform the council of numbers for next session. Places are allocated in May. Email enquiries@ kilbarchancommunitynursery.org.uk Alternatively phone 01505 704839.

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Abbey Nursery Firstly, can we thank all those families who come along to our Open Day on 9th February – it was an ideal opportunity for parents to look around the nursery at leisure and more importantly talk directly with the staff in each playroom. We hope you found it worthwhile.

Over the past few weeks the children in all the playrooms have been very busy. The Grasshoppers have been learning about Scottish Culture and Language, covering a

wide range of activities and interests. Burns Day was obviously a key part of this but in addition the children have been creating their own Tartan; designing and building castles; exploring poetry, rhyme and song and learning Scottish dancing. The children particularly liked reading the Hairy Haggis and baking (and eating!) shortbread and we delighted to host their Ambassadors from Houston Primary at their Burns Party.

Meanwhile, the Little Ladybirds have been creating lots of artwork to put on their freshly painted walls and also getting outside as much as they can to enjoy the fresh air, whilst the Busy Bunnies are celebrating some new family members and have changed their role play into a ‘mini Abbey Nursery’ baby room.

Its lovely to see how well the children look after their ‘newborns’ and even if they are all called Adam or Thomas!!

Duchal Nursery This month the role play has been fantastic as we looked at people who help us. We had visits from a Doctor, Nurse, Dentist, Vet and even the Police. The Duchal hospital had to set up an emergency ward to accommodate the extra patients; such was the popularity of the medical week.

The children were encouraged to bring in toy pet animals for the visit from a vet and they had a special visit from a Welsh springer spaniel puppy Huw (the children and staff all wanted to take Huw home!). We learnt to use music and games whilst we brush our teeth to help make it interesting and engaging.

The police arrived in one of their vans and headteacher Mrs McCarthy volunteered to sit in the back first to reassure our boys and girls it really was all role play!

The children have also been busy making friezes for the wall. We have a fire rescue going on in the art room, healthy eating in the middle room and PC Thomson and Fire-fighter Smith have been added to the wall in the quiet room.

In French, the children have been learning about the farmer (Old MacDonald!) and his animals on the farm.

We celebrated Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake.

We learnt some Chinese customs and had a stir fry, using a wok, which we will attempted to eat with chopsticks!

We have also been looking at the postal service with all the children walking to the village post office to buy stamps for special letters they have written. Next stop the post box and some very happy recipients of the children’s letters!

Kung Hei Fat Choi from Kidston Kids!

At Kidston Kids Playgroup in Kilmacolm we’ve been celebrating Chinese New Year. We loved the music and dancing. We made beautiful decorations, learned the song Kung Hei Fat Choi and the actions too. We ate prawn crackers and we each filled our lucky red envelopes with gold chocolate coins.

What a treat! In this the Year of the Snake, we hope everyone has a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

If you are 18 months and over and would like to join the fun, visit our website www.kidstonkids.co.uk

Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Multiple Club Do you have twins, triplets or more? If you would like to meet other parents of multiples and have a chat while the kids play, come along to Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Multiples Club aimed at parents or parents-to-be. The club is meeting informally at the Lochwinnoch McKillop Institute every 1st and 3rd Monday from 3pm 4.30pm.

You can contact us on ritwinsclub@gmail.com, visit our web site www.ritwinsclub.co.uk or phone us on 07510 144 310 for more information!

St Columba Church Holiday Club There is much excitement at Duchal about the new lunch club starting every Wednesday after half term. We are confident it will be a huge success, just like the early opening time.

St Columba Church, Kilmacolm is running a free holiday club from Tuesday the 2nd to Saturday the 6th of April from 10am till 12noon. This year is a theatrical themed holiday club called Showstoppers.

Showstoppers is for everyone who is in P1 to P7 and will include games, songs, juice and fruit, crafts, challenges, stories and lots of other fun things.

For more information or to preregister please contact Peter on peter@youthscc.plus.com.

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Kilmacolm Primary School

January and February have been very busy for us in school. We had great success in Inverclyde Music Festival, in which we entered Nursery & P1 Singing Games, P2 , P4 & P6 Verse Speaking, Group Music Making, Brass Ensemble, and some children took part in Prepared Reading.

All of our pupils performed confidently and we are very proud of them, particularly P4 & P6 who won their classes, our music group who won their class and Katie Nawrath who was first in prepared reading. All other competitors were either second or third in their classes and so you’ll agree that this was a fantastic effort by everyone. Thanks to all the mums and dads who accompanied classes and also came along to Greenock Town Hall to support us.

Our annual Burns Competition was also a great success, with all pupils in P5, P6 & P7 learning a Burns Poem and our 6 finalists performing in front of our invited judges. Our overall winner, who took home the trophy, a Burns for Bairns book and gift voucher, was Sara Ingram P5. The judges were very impressed with the high standard of recitation and thought Sara gave a very animated, clear and expressive performance to win the title.

Thanks to Peter Blair, Douglas Hamilton and Sam Hannah for judging our competition.

P1 – P4 also took part on Burns competition day, with all classes learning a Scots verse and choosing their winners in their classes. Some of the verses were, P1 The Wee Rid Motor, P2 The Conductress, P3 The Sair Finger & P4 The Old Troot. The boys and girls and their mums and dads worked very hard on learning their words.

All classes participated in healthy eating workshops and enjoyed the tasty, healthy snacks on offer.

Our PTF organised Valentines Discos for all pupils on St Valentines Day and all the boys and girls who attended had a thoroughly great time. Thanks to all who helped at this event.

25 of our P7 pupils are looking forward to their residential trip to Winmarleigh Hall at the beginning of March. Let’s hope that the weather has improved a little by then.

Kilmacolm Nursery Class The return to the nursery routine has been interrupted by some valuable and exciting experiences. Pre-school children performed on the stage at Greenock Town Hall when they took part in the Inverclyde Music Festival.

There was great excitement as we travelled by bus and everyone did their very best during their rendition of, “Johnny Get Your Hair Cut”. We received a certificate which is displayed in the cloakroom. While the pre-school children were on stage, the ante pre-school children visited the MacLean museum where they looked carefully at the animals on display and drew pictures.

Continuing the musical theme, children have been taking photographs of items they have at home for listening or playing music using group cameras that we recently purchased. The results have been great and the technical skills of the children h a v e increased by participating in this activity. Thanks to parents who have supported their children’s efforts.

We will be enthralled when we take possession of Living Eggs. We hope to watch them crack and the chicks to emerge for us to view as they change and grow. Watch this space as we record this experience by taking more photographs.

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Lochwinnoch Playgroup For children from 2.5 years to 5. Mon, Tue and Wed from 9.30am-11.30am at the McKillop Centre, Lochwinnoch.

New children are always welcome.

Please contact Daniela on 07765 695 270 or daniela.sime@strath.ac.uk On Friday 1st March we are holding a Quiz/Race Night at Lochbarr, Lochwinnoch to raise further funds for the playgroup. Please contact Cheyrl on 0774 8859 683 or Paula on 0777 217 3910. We hope to see you there.

HU need Footballers born In 2003!

Houston United are looking to develop a second team. Any boy or girl born in 2003 who enjoys football is welcome to come along to one of our training sessions on Wednesday evening at Gryffe High School (Astro-turf pitches) from 6pm to 7pm, where the emphasis is on fun and development. For further information call Louis on 07786 484961 or visit www. houstonunited.co.uk

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sports & clubs news Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club

Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club is looking forward to another successful season. Last year we counted three County Champions among our members, something we are very proud of. 2013 has started with one of our juniors being selected for the Scottish under 16’s squad.

Renfrewshire Youngster Selected For Scottish Golf Team

Ross Robertson, a member of Old Ranfurly Golf Club, was 14 years old when he won the Renfrewshire Golf Union’s Junior Stroke Play Championship last May at Caldwell Golf Club. Given that his opposition was aged up to 18 years old with a lot more experience of tournament play, it was evident that Ross was a special talent.

During the rest of his 2012 season, his performances remained impressive and included winning his club’s Junior Championship and success at two Junior Open tournaments. Now 15 and coached

by George Boswell at Mearns Castle Golf Academy as one of the Scottish Golf Union Academy squad, his record has been recognized by the Scottish selectors.

Our Junior Section is very important to us; we encourage youngsters whenever we can. Our team of trained volunteer coaches will be running more of our popular beginner courses during both the Easter and Summer school breaks.

We have a strong Ladies Section with competitions twice a week and many social evenings including a very popular Ladiesonly evening. Feel free to get in touch for more details.

Ross has been named as a member of the team which will represent Scotland at the under 16 Quadrangular Event to be held at Southerndown Golf Club in Wales in late March. The competing countries are Holland, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The Gryffe High School pupil, whose handicap is 3, is delighted with his selection and, weather permitting, will continue to work on his game so that he is ready for the event. Renfrewshire Golf Union President, Ian McCosh said “It is great that Ross’s performance last season has been spotted by the selectors and this will be an inspiration to the other Renfrewshire boys in the coaching squads. We wish him all the best when the time comes”.

We are an inclusive Club, with vacancies in all categories. We have an intermediate category allowing 21 to 30 age group affordable membership. Our Ordinary membership subscription is extremely competitive with local clubs, we also have a social membership for those looking for a place to meet friends and relax. Visit our website www.oldranfurly.com for latest initiatives.

We have the added advantage of a free-draining course that ensures we are open when many others are defeated by the weather. We are minutes from the motorway yet with countryside as far as the eye can see on our beautiful par 70 golf course. Whether you are looking for a day out or a course to join, you really must pay us a visit.

Our bar staff and catering team ensure anyone who visits receives a warm welcome and fine hospitality. We have social events throughout the year that are well attended and open to all members. We also have a separate dining room available for private functions.

Look us up at www.oldranfurly.com, contact our Managing Secretary John Doyle at secretary@oldranfurly.com or 01505 613214

“Take A Load Off” “Swaying” is the lateral movement of a golfer during the swing. It occurs when there is too little rotation of the hips, causing a loss of balance.

To reduce swaying, place a chair against your hip. The chair will act as a guide, allowing you to keep your head centred over the ball for a more consistent swing and better timing.

Contact Daryn if you have any questions about your swing or your equipment:- 01505 320032 or email professional@ eldersliegolfclub.com.

Special rates available for first time pupils!

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Have you got the bottle? Langbank Tennis Club Join Team Visibility at the Glasgow Women’s Open Meeting 10km on 12th May 2013.

Run, jog or walk, get fit and feel great knowing that you are helping blind and partially sighted children and adults living in the west of Scotland.

Pledge to raise £10 or more and you will get our exclusive running vest. Raise over £55 and you will get a funky, collapsible water bottle. Call 0141 332 4632 or email susan. crombie@visibility.org.uk for more info.

Visibility opens up a no-limits world for people with sight loss www.visibility. org.uk Scottish Charity No. SC 009738

Langbank Church Hall on Tuesday 5th March at 7.30pm The purpose of this is to inform the whole village of the possible closure of the Tennis Club after this year if no members can be found to help with the running of the club. At this point in time the membership is more or less non -existent and the one committee member who is left cannot run the organisation alone.

It is unfortunate that this facility which has existed for well over a hundred years could be lost and I would encourage any interested villagers, particularly those families with children, to become involved in this appeal.

IF NO INTEREST IS FORCOMING CLOSURE IS INEVITABLE.

Linwood AFC Reunion We are looking for anyone who played for, or was connected to, Chrysler Linwood - Amateur Football Club (1966 - 1983).

A reunion has been arranged for Friday 10th May in “Gabriel’s”, Gauze Street, Paisley.

Please contact Ian Hunter on 01505 612570 iannimrod@ talktalk.net or Raymond Bruce on 01505 346446 raymondbruce@hotmail. co.uk A night of nostalgia, bring back some memories, meet some ‘old’ faces and, who knows, maybe get that drink they always promised they would buy you!

Your attendance will make the night!

Junior Casting Tuition Night Bridge of Weir Angling Club have organised a Tuition Night in the Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir on Wednesday 6th March from 7pm to 9.30pm.

There will be demonstrations by Peter Anderson, British, European and World Fly Casting Champion. Also, Fly-Tying demonstrations by Alistair Keir, world renowned fly-tyer and inventor of ‘Sunburst’.

The Knapps Angling Club The Knapps Loch is very much a part of the fabric of Kilmacolm and has been enjoyed by walkers and fishers alike for many years.

The KNAPPS ANGLING CLUB CELEBRATED ITS Centenary in 2010.

The story of the construction of the loch and formation of the Club is well documented in an excellent little book by Colin G Carnie “The Knaps Angling Club 1910-2009”.

The joining fee and annual subscription for fishing which is Fly Only and exclusively for Brown Trout has recently been significantly reduced and the season is from early March until late October.

Raffle prizes include a full fly fishing kit and many more besides. Permits can be paid on the night.

We have vacancies for Juniors and local members. All youngsters under 18 welcome as well as senior members.

Quarriers United FC Your local football club continues to grow and provide developmental football coaching for children local to Quarriers Village of all levels of ability be they boys or girls. We strive to run a family friendly club with our volunteer SFA Qualified Coaches looking to develop the participants to the best of their individual abilities.

The Club is predominantly formed from Kilmacolm resident but a limited number from outwith the village can join.

Anyone interested may contact the Club secretary on: bobthirde@ hotmail.com for further information and/or copies of the book.

Birkmyre Girl makes Scotland U20 squad Birkmyre and Gryffe High School girl Siobhan McMillan has been included in the Scotland U20 ladies rugby squad. Siobhan who is still only 16, is not eligible to play for the squad until she turns 17 in March, but has been training with the full squad and has been included in skills development sessions with the senior Scottish ladies squad.

When interviewed at training she was clearly eager to represent Scotland “I’m gutted that I can’t play in the game against Finland at the end of February, but we have a fixture against an English development team in March and I’m focusing on getting selected for that game.”

Club president Wallace Muir has been impressed with Siobhan’s progress, “Siobhan joined Birkmyre when we started the minis ten years ago, so it’s great to see her make it into the Scotland setup. Everyone at the club will be rooting for her when she makes her first appearance in a Scotland jersey.”

Siobhan started playing rugby with Birkmyre Minis in primary school playing with the boys, before graduating to all girls teams in high school. Birkmyre play at Kilmacolm park on Sunday afternoons and new players are always welcome.

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The teams all train during the week, at various times and then play in their respective Paisley Johnstone & District Youth Leagues at the weekends.

The club now have 7 teams; • U16’s born 1997 U14’s born 1999 U12’s born 2001 • U12’s born 2002 U10’s born 2003 U9’s born 2004 U8’s born 2005 All the squads are coached by SFA Qualified coaches and the club is very proud to be recognised by the SFA under their Quality Mark Scheme.

The club has had a very exciting December opening their new changing rooms which really establishes the club with a permanent base they can call home.

All our squads would be happy to take on new players and volunteers, so if you want to play football or coach in a friendly environment then please call our Secretary, Alistair Bomphray on 07554 002752.

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Strathgryffe Squash Coach . . . . . . . . Achieves UK’s Highest Qualification Martin Woods is in a league of his own after the Strathgryffe coach passed the UK CC level four test – crowning him as the highest qualified coach in the country.

The 39 year old spent three years studying for the degree as he swapped racquets for books and now hopes to impart his knowledge to the clubs juniors and adults.

With the number of people playing the sport over the last three months rocketing from 13 to 50, Martin is encouraging more people to try the sport out.

Martin commented: “I found the research really interesting and I now hope I can pass that onto others and get more people not only playing the sport, but coaching it too. We already have some great players coming through at the club and I hope that number now increases.

He added: “A while back we only had 13 squad players now we have 50 and host eight sessions per week for people of all abilities. You don’t need to be great, young or have any experience of playing squash to try it out – we have classes for everyone.”

“It is important that we remove the barriers to get people involved and we provide a free introductory class, racquets, balls and support.”

Looking ahead to the future, Martin has revealed he will be taking nine youngsters on a trip to Hungary for the Hungary Open. It will be the first time that a Strathgryffe squad will have played outside the UK and Martin is looking forward to the trip.

He added: “It will be great for the kids to get that experience, so it is a case of preparing for that now and we hope it goes well.”

For more information on joining the club contact Susan Weanie on 01505 615100 or email susan@strathgryffe.net

Bridge of Weir Walking Group Every Tuesday morning outside the Co-op in BoW at 10.30am walk for about 1 hour.

Call Senga McLeod 0141 842 3000.

Cardio Tennis for Anyone?

Throughout the winter and now into the spring Kilmacolm Tennis Club will be running a series of exciting adult classes, Cardio Tennis sessions open to both members and non-members on Monday & Thursday evenings.

Cardio Tennis is a series of tennis-based drills and activities played to uptempo music on a tennis court. It does not require tennis skills, but is all about keeping your heart rate up, burning calories and having fun. There are drills for absolute beginners through to advanced players, all of which provide you with a great cardio work out while improving skill.

Cardio tennis is a great way to get back into tennis, provides a social, fun environment to try the sport for the first time, improve your current tennis level and to become part of a friendly community oriented club.

Adult group coaching and social tennis will also be running as before at the club, to register your interest in any of these activities please contact club coach Giulio Spella on 07931751468 or e-mail giulio.spella@googlemail. com One date for your diary for members and non-members is Open Day on Saturday 20th April at 2pm. A chance for people to dust off their tennis racquet and come down to the club and have some fun.

The Club is always looking for new members. Give us a try and come along to one of our Wednesday evening or Saturday afternoon Social Tennis Sessions, or to one of Giulio’s coaching sessions. Check out our website www.kilmacolmtennis.co.uk or call Sian Nicol, Club Secretary on 01505 872208 or email kilmacolmtennis@googlemail.com

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Join Sporting Legends and Help Care for Veterans The veterans’ charity Erskine invites you to a terrific night of sport and football to raise vital funds. The annual Erskine Sportsman’s Dinner will be held in the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on Friday 8th March at 7pm.

One of the highlights of the charity’s Fundraising calendar, the evening’s special guests include Old Firm Legends Tosh McKinlay (ex-Celtic and Scotland legend) and Harold Davies (Black Watch veteran and Rangers legend). Host Des Mclean will ensure everything runs smoothly on the night and well known stand up comedian Patrick Rolink will be on hand to provide the laughs.

Tables of ten, for this prestigious event are selling fast. Priced at £550 and individual tickets £60, the evening includes a welcome drink during the drinks reception and a three course dinner with entertainment. There will also be a special Forces discount for serving personnel.

To book your table/ticket and help raise vital funds for the ex-Service men and women of Erskine, please contact Steve McManus, Events Fundraiser at Erskine on 0141 814 4567 or email: Steven.McManus@ erskine.org.uk

Free Tai Chi Taster Come along to the Somerville Hall in Quarriers Village from 10am - 11am on Saturday 2nd, 9th, 23rd or 30th March for your Free Tai Chi Taster Session. Call 07999 757861 for further information.

Birkmyre Mini Rugby Club Birkmyre Mini Rugby Club enjoyed a visit from Glasgow Warriors players Ed Kalman, George Hunter, Niko Matawalu and Inverclyde’s rugby development officer Brendan McGroarty. The regular Sunday training session was taken by the professionals w h o introduced some new rucking and passing skills to the primary 4 to 7 players before making a surprise visit to the primary 1-3 minis in the gym.

The mini section will be taking part in the Glasgow Accies tournament in March and finish the season at the Helensburgh tournament in May. If you would like more information on the Birkmyre mini rugby club please visit our website h t t p : / / w w w. pitchero.com/ clubs/birkmyre.

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gardens & outdoors Wednesday 6th or 13th March (TBC – phone for details) 8pm until late - Wednesdays with Wildlife: Stargazing for beginners Join us for a chance to experience the reserve in a very different way as we look up towards the sky, not in search of wildlife, but in search of stars and planets.

Walk description: Limited amounts of walking, but likely to go out onto the Aird Meadow and surrounding fields to get a good view of the night sky.

May be boggy underfoot so stout footwear recommended. Suitable for: All. Cost: £5 or £2 for RSPB members. Please book so that we can plan accordingly. If you have your own telescope/binoculars, please bring them although some equipment will be available. Tel: 01505 842663.

Tuesday 19th March - 7pm – 9pm - Lochwinnoch Arts Festival – Music and Poetry Evening Join Pauline Vallance, Clare Robertson and Betty McKellar for an evening of music and poetry. Pauline plays flute, clarsach, sings and writes songs.

Clare is a singer/songwriter and guitarist and Betty will treat us to some local and wildlife poetry readings. You will also be able to purchase their CD’s and books on the night.

Enjoy a free drink on arrival, donations welcome thereafter.

Please book in advance at RSPB Lochwinnoch visitor centre, by phone or email. Cost: Donations welcome

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March - 11am – 2pm Membership Taster Day Want to find out more about the RSPB, our campaign work and how we help birds of all kinds from back garden species to birds on the other side of the world? Thinking of becoming a member, but not sure what it involves?

Come along to our FREE membership taster day and find out all about the RSPB, about Lochwinnoch and join us for a guided walk of the reserve.

Includes: Introductory talk, guided walk, Q&A session, tea/coffee and a chance to find out more about RSPB campaigns and how you can get involved.

Lawn Care for March This is when the major work starts as temperatures are usually high enough to mean that significant grass (and weed) growth is occurring. Before cutting the lawn it should be raked with a spring tine rake so that the grass ‘sits up’ for the mower. Adjust the mower blade height if possible so that just the tips of the grass are removed. You should only need to mow about twice in March.

Trim lawn edges and around garden ornaments / trees using a lawn strimmer. Neaten up / repair any damaged lawn edges.

At the end of March Scarify the lawn using an electric lawn scarifier or a spring tine rake. This will remove dead grass, thatch and moss.

Information source:www. l a w n a n d m o w e r. c o m / L a w n Calendar.aspx

RSPB Local Group The Scotland’s Gardens Guidebook is published annually and contains particulars of all of the gardens opening during the year, including costs of admission and directions of how to get to them. In addition there are interesting features, details about Scotland’s Gardens and events that are being held during the year.

The Guidebook is available now for £5.50 at leading book shops, and other appropriate retail and tourist outlets or you can buy directly from Scotland’s Gardens. To order the current edition from Scotland’s Gardens, just go to the website at http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/the-guidebook and click on the link “buy directly from Scotland’s Gardens”.

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The next meeting of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds Renfrewshire Local Group will be held on Friday 1st March at 7.30pm in the MacMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew PA4 8LX. It will be an illustrated talk by Mike Betts entitled Bhutan: The Unexplored East.

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job is very rewarding but time consuming and if you would like to come along from March onwards as a snowdrop volunteer, or volunteer to help in all parts of the garden, please give us a call, you will be made most welcome. Two of our hardy volunteers, Jane and Priscilla are helping to clear the herbaceous border.

As snowdrops transplant better when in ‘greenleaf’, now is the perfect time to do it; if you would like some for your own garden, please phone your order into reception, these will give you pleasure year after year, and will increase in numbers as they mature.

It’s impossible not to feel the anticipation of spring as the days get longer and at last the clocks spring forwards (1am on the 31st ). This month look out for Birds returning from their winter homes, dawn chorus, woodland flowers in blossom, blackthorn blossom (but not hawthorn blossom), Plants of interest in the garden this month are frogspawn and Scarlet Elf Cup. Helleborous (Lenten rose) Viburnum bodnantense, Scarlet Elf Cup is a fantastic looking fungus in the with its bright pink blossom, and the gorgeous scent Finlaystone woods this month, bright red and cup shaped, of the tiny flowered Lonicera purpusii (the winter it makes an audible ‘puffing’ sound when raindrops land in honeysuckle), these can all be seen in the winter a ripe cup and releases a smoky cloud of spores. border. In our knot garden, the Camelia japonica The earliest of the summer bird migrants should begin to ‘hedge’, is a riot of colour with masses of rose-like arrive, Chiff-chaff and Wheatear will be amongst the first blooms, and is well worth a visit. joining the stay at home robins. There are also a pair of woodpeckers drumming in the woods and Herons are Garden Club frequently seen over the lake so hopefully they will breed If demand is high enough, we propose to run a midweek gardening club, this will be open to expert this year.

The ground is green with butterbur, the snowdrops have gardeners and complete beginners alike. Our aim is to been out since February and many early woodland plant provide education, exercise, and social interaction for species will come into flower, Lesser Celandine opens persons with a common interest. Learn how to grow in the sun, but closes it’s petals when it is cloudy, wood fruit, vegetables, and flowers, raise plants from seed, anemones and violets appear at this time. In wetter areas plant a hanging basket, take cuttings, prune shrubs wild garlic and dogs mercury totally cover the ground in a and roses, and much more. If you are interested in learning about the garden, or helping others learn, or sea of pungent foliage. just fancy a’ blether’ and a coffee in our tearoom, then Blackthorn will flower towards the end of the month, even come along, we’re a friendly bunch. Please contact before the leaves come out, every year there is keen interest reception or phone me directly on: 07548 838840… from naturalists as to the exact date of the first blackthorn, Willie (Head Gardener) and later hawthorn flowering in various parts of the UK as Volunteer news they are used to measure the effects of climate change.

If you would like to come down and see what the March Events rangers do when we aren’t leading walks or playing Mother’s Day – Sunday 10th on pirate ships then come on the 24th of March to try Why not treat mum to a stroll through the woods and volunteering with us. gardens followed by a scone and a cup of tea? Cream If you are interested in volunteering, either doing Teas are available in the restaurant overlooking the walled ranger work, helping with snowdrop preparations, garden at £9.95 for two from 12pm – 4pm. restaking windblown trees, gardening or surveys Spring Watch – Sunday 17th - 2pm-4pm

please contact Fraser Lang on 01475 540505.

Is there some life out there yet? After a cold winter join this ranger led walk seeking out the first signs of spring.

MEMBERSHIP

Annual membership is available now, that means if you purchase in March you will get an extra Join us tackling essential conservation tasks around the month free! Remember to renew if you are already estate bring clothes you don’t mind getting mucky, boots, a a member as last year’s tickets expire March 31st. waterproof coat, a packed lunch and enthusiasm.

Prices on a family ticket remain frozen again this year and we have reduced the cost of single/concession Easter Explosion – Sunday 31st - 1pm – 4pm tickets. Family and Grandparent Tickets £66, Single An afternoon of eggciting traditional Easter activities, races or Concession Tickets £30. and egg hunts.

Tea room Conservation Day – Sunday 24th - 10am to 4pm

Garden Report

The tearoom is still only open at weekends between 12noon and 4pm up to the end of March. Hot drinks are available in the Visitor Centre Monday – Friday between 11am and 4pm. Frances continues to offer a selection of drinks including freshly ground coffee, As the famous Finlaystone snowdrop displays come to an hot & cold snacks, homemade soups, a range end, we will be undertaking the tasks of lifting, dividing, and of homemade healthy meals and a selection of replanting them in other locations; this is done to prevent wonderful home baking. the clumps becoming too congested and also increases Willie - Head Gardener the amount of snowdrops that we have on display. This During the month of March we should begin to see improved light levels, and after a dull, wet, and snowy February, this will be most welcome and should trigger off new growth in many of our plants.

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MARCH 2013

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

t: 01505 613340

March in the Garden - Primula Candelabra Primula (pictured top right) They may be delicate in form and flower, but the spring primulas are hardy little plants and will bloom for week upon week, to return in increasing force for many a subsequent year.

The familiar wild, pale yellow, single the early signs of

primrose is one of spring, coinciding with the first early daffodils. The two associate well together (pictured bottom right).

Cultivated varieties (pictured left) come in a huge range of colours, and both single and double flowers. Choice named varieties are cultivated in cottage gardens and spring borders.

They are not vigorous enough to cope with conditions in grass which the wild primrose enjoys, and benefit from being lifted and divided every two years.

Aspen Tree Day Lochwinnoch based social enterprise, Eadha Enterprises will be holding an Aspen Tree Day on Saturday 9th March to promote the conservation of rare native aspen. We are looking for lots of willing volunteers to help us plant 100 trees grown in our nursery along by the River Calder. The event will raise awareness about aspen and the work of Eadha Enterprises. This project has been funded by the Central Scotland Green Network. Meet at Castle Semple Visitor Centre at 10am. A short talk will be conducted at the centre prior to the planting. Light refreshments will be provided on return to the centre. For more information, please visit www.eadha.co.uk

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society The March lecture for Kilmacolm Horticultural Society will be held on Wednesday 20th March, in the New Community Centre Kilmacolm, at 7.30pm. We welcome the return of our highly popular speaker, Louise Bustard, senior curator at Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Louise will present her lecture: SOUTH AFRICA - A GIFT TO THE EARTH. We can be sure of a stimulating evening, with a chance to speak with Louise and enjoy refreshments after the lecture. It is also the evening of the SPRING BULB COMPETITION, bring along your potted exhibits of daffodils, tulips, or spring bulbs. Amaryllis are welcome, but into a separate category. Louise will judge the exhibits and present the Jimmy Whittet Trophy to the successful entry. Dates for your diary - Coffee Morning on Saturday 27th April. Spring Outing to Ardardan Nurseries and Royal Botanic Gardens, Benmore on Wednesday 15th May. Summer Outing to Blaiquhan Castle and grounds, plus Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway, on Wednesday 12th June. KHS Annual Membership ÂŁ5, further details from Jill Russell 01505 872393.

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57

Off The Wall!

Spring has sprung & walls have begun (almost). March sees the start of a new season of drystone wall building with the West of Scotland Drystone Walling Association.

We kick off with the first of our renowned “beginners training weekends” at the Kilbarchan training site on March 23rd/24th.

A 2 day course where attendees learn how to strip and rebuild a basic farm drystone wall under the guidance of a team of experienced instructors.

The emphasis is on practical work and learning by doing rather than theory. At the end of the course participants will have a basic knowledge of how to build a simple drystone structure that can be applied to their own projects. A certificate will also be awarded. All for the price of £45.

Two further courses are scheduled to be run on the weekends of June 22nd/23rd and September 14th/15th.

For further details and applications to attend a course go to http://www.wsdswa.org.uk/#/training/4550429337 During the year the Wallers will be active in various different parts of the West of Scotland. Locally, we will be continuing the renovation of the Knapps loch walls during Kilmacolm Show on May 11th, constructing a new feature at Greenock Ocean Terminal, and working with Bridge of Weir Allotments & Garden Society and members of The Bridge Community Centre to build a retaining wall for the herb garden at the back of the Centre.

Outside of the area, the usual demonstration will be held at the Gardening Scotland show at Ingliston, Nr Edinburgh on June 1st/2nd. Will we feature on the

Beechgrove Garden programme this year?? Also further work will be done with Auchendrain Museum near Inverary, Glenarn Gardens in Helensburgh, and a community project at Callendar is proposed.

Last years final community project, a unique drystone bridge at Kilsyth Lennox Golf Club was eventually completed in January this year after work was delayed by the poor weather conditions. Kilsyth LGC is now the proud owner of the only drystone bridge on any golf course in Britain. (The Swillican Bridge at St Andrews is held together by cement so is not drystone). This is a good demonstration of the skills available within the Association, and how they can be utilised for the enhancement of local environments.

Photos show the completed bridge in the final stages, with last years’ Ocean Terminal Moongate construction, and some of the training course attendees.

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Re-Homing Pets Can you offer a home to any of our featured pets?

Inverclyde Cats Protection Bubbles Bubbles is an older male tom who needs a quiet and peaceful home. He is a cat who will want access to outdoors . He has taken the move from his previous home badly and is feeling very sorry for himself. He needs somewhere where he can settle and stay for the rest of his life.

Bruce Bruce is a male doberman crossbreed, six years old approximately. He is a nice dog who came into the centre as his owner could no longer meet his needs. He is looking for a home where he can enjoy nice walks and an enclosed garden so his training and socialisation can continue. If you can offer Bruce a loving home, please call and quote ref 126719.

Carlie Carlie is a female crossbreed, around four to five years old. She is a big bouncy girl who will require further training in her new home. She is a friendly dog but would be best suited to a new owner who is used to large dogs and has no young children.

Whitney & Elton Whitney and her brother Elton came in from Rothesay.

Starved, neglected and riddled with parasites, these two young cats need some tlc and a loving home together.

These two wee cats are timid, but friendly and need some tlc and a good, kind owner who will love and cherish them.

To contact the Inverclyde Branch please call us on 07740 947160. All rehomings are subject to a successful home visit.

Renfrewshire Cats Protection Domino Domino is a lovely big boy - and we mean big !! His owner died a good few weeks ago and he was left to fend for himself and the whole street had been feeding him. He is such a lovely big boy of around 5/6 years old who needs a new start in life but his food intake would need to be controlled. It won’t be too long before he has a lovely figure again and asking people to ‘spot’ the difference !! Can you give Domino a new home, please? Ref:TA URGENT! Kas is around 10 years old and is a housecat who is desperately looking for a new home as his owners are moving and can’t take him with them. He is no bother - he comes down for his breakfast and then goes back to bed for most of the day !! He would make a fabulous companion cat for someone looking for a bit of company. Is that person you?

Dolly Dolly is a semi longhaired Maine Coon of around 8 years old. She is a friendly girl who is looking for a new home through no fault of her own. She has been brought up mainly as a housecat but likes to have a stroll around the garden. Ref: O To contact the Renfrewshire Branch on 0141 876 4133. All rehomings are subject to a successful home visit.

t: 01505 613340

If you can offer Carlie a loving home, please call and quote ref 128725.

Lilly Female crossbreed of around 1 year old. Lilly is a nice, excitable girl who will require an adult only home an will need an experienced owner. She requires further training and plenty of exercise. Lilly loves playing with her toys, especially a kong as it keeps her busy and amused. If you can offer Lilly a loving home, please call and quote ref 132498.

To contact the centre about any animals, please telephone 03000 999 999 or visit www.scottishspca.org/rehoming

SSPCA Rehoming Week Would you like to help raise funds to care for Scotland’s abused, abandoned and injured animals?

If so, we are looking for fundraising volunteers all year round and particularly during Rehoming Week, which runs from 18th - 24th March.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “As an animal welfare charity, we receive no government or lottery funding, which means we depend on public donations to continue our vital work.

“During Scottish Animal Week we have opportunities to fundraise throughout the country. Even if someone can only spare an hour or two to shake a collection tin, their help would be greatly appreciated.

“It’s something we always say because it’s true - every pound and penny raised really does make a difference and helps give animals in desperate need of our help a second chance in life.”

For more information, please contact Michaela Rusack on 03000 999 999.

Rescue Centres Dogs Trust Glasgow: 0141-773-5130 - www.dogstrust.org.uk Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue: 01505-502415 - www.hessilhead.org.uk Inverclyde Rescue/Petsearch: 01475-637575 Inverclyde Cat Protection: 07740-947160 - www.inverclyde.cats.org.uk Renfrewshire Cat Protection: 0141-876-4133 - www.renfrewshire.cats.org.uk Scottish SPCA: 0141-882-1688 - www.scottishspca.org

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pets & wildlife

gardens & outdoors news

59

Lamont Farm Project As the Easter holidays are fast approaching we have our workshops running and are as follows: 31st March - Easter Fun Day - lots on from table top sale face painting egg hunt and egg and spoon race.

There will also be a raffle with the prize being a massive blue nose bear: £3pp (raffle priced separate) 1pm4pm 1st April - Owl Magic - come along and meet these amazing birds and learn all about them - you can even get your picture taken holding one £2pp 1.30pm-3.30pm 2nd April - Reptile day, with new reptiles arriving soon. This is a great chance to get up close and meet them. If you are feeling brave you can handle all our reptiles from Stanley, our corn snake, to Lennon, the bearded dragon. £2pp 1.30pm-3.30pm 3rd April - Easter theme Arts n Crafts - all the fun of getting messy for the kids, but the parents don’t need to worry about the clean up job £2. 1.30pm3.30pm

Wanted - Cat Food Donations Sheena at Johnstone Cat Rescue is appealing for cat food donations. Our fund raising is very slow at this time of year and we are struggling to cope Your help would be most appreciated. Sheena can be contacted on 01505 337321.

4th April - Pony rides (weather depending) £2pp 1.30-3.30pm

There’s more to Birds than just Feathers!

Lamont Farm Project in Barrhill Road, Erskine, was founded 1977 by a group of individuals with a strong desire to establish a local education and community facility. We have been here for 34 years and hope to continue for more years to come. Contact us on 0141 812 5335 or visit the website at www.lamontfarm.org.uk

For a unique experience, visit Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre near Balloch.

You will learn about the individual birds, see them close up and stand six feet from a Golden Eagle. Watch the birds training or flying in our aviary compound. Learn about our rescue facilities and success stories.

Many say the atmosphere at the centre is unique, the character of each bird, and the obvious relationship between the birds and the owner. A place where you can escape the real world for a twenty minutes, or two hours. No one leaves disappointed.

Access to the Bird of Prey Centre is through the Loch Lomond Homes & Gardens Centre. During winter months, the centre is open from 9am to 4.30pm, 7 days a week.

To enquire, or to make a booking, please call on 07751 862416 or e-mail llbopc@gmail.com or use the “Contact Us” page on the website at www. llbopc.co.uk Gift Vouchers can also be purchased on-line.

The LLBOPC also has a “Friends and Supporters of the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre” on Facebook.

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Stirling Road, Ballagan, Near Balloch, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, G83 8NB.

If your pet has gone missing & you would like to place a notice in The Advertizer, please call 01505 613340 or email info@advertizer.co.uk.

We can also put updates on our website & Facebook.

This service is free of charge!

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business classified Trades and Services

advertising

business ad rates: TRADES & SERVICES Black & White ads only Lineage: up to 20 words £12.00* Boxed ad: £6.60* per column cm PROPERTY & HOLIDAY HOMES CARS FOR SALE Lineage: up to 20 words £12.00* Boxed ad: £6.60* per column cm Photo: add £6.00* (colour) *all prices subject to VAT The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in the course of a business MUST include the word Trader, Dealer, Agent, Breeder or appropriate wording in the Advertisement to distinguish from private advertisers.

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY

Ironing: Lady available to iron in your own home. Rates negotiable. References supplied. Telephone Carrie on: 07507 165824.

The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in the course of a business MUST include the word Trader, Dealer, Agent, Breeder or appropriate wording in the Advertisement to distinguish from private advertisers.

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TUITION

MUSIC TUITION

deadlines If you want something placed in the next issue either send an email to:

info@advertizer.co.uk or call the office:

01505 613340 (24hr ans)

FRIDAY 15 MAR ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FROM ONLY £15.84 PER MONTH (incl. VAT & discounts)

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FROM ONLY £15.84 PER MONTH

APRIL ‘13 ISSUE: • Deadline: 15th Mar • Delivery: 29th Mar MAY ‘13 ISSUE: • Deadline: 19th Apr • Delivery: 3rd May

(incl. VAT & discounts)

SITUATIONS wanted

PROPERTY for Sale or Let

SITUATIONS VACANT

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TO LET

miscellaneous

CHILDCARE Houston registered childminders. For an informal chat to find your best childcare, call Elizabeth Waddell T: 614925 Kilmacolm/Quarriers area registered childminders. P/time or F/time vacancies for u-5’s and after school. T: 873839.

BUSINESS SERVICES

HOLIDAY HOMES Entertainment

pets & animalS TLC for pets. Dog walking, cat feeding & sleep-overs.

Spaces in Bridge of Weir and Houston. Reasonable rates.

Contact Carol on 01505 690264 or 07837 457413.

FLORIDA: superb selection of hand-picked villas and condos near Disney and Gulf Coast. Rates from £250 per wk - also property purchase service with rental support. Call Hazel on 01505 613603 www.floridaselectvillas.com

Pee, Poop ‘n’ Play. Dog walking, cat/puppy/small animal visits. Competitive rates.

Tel: 01505 614725 / 07722 090339.

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sales & wants Items For Sale Baby Equipment Large white baby bath. Exc condition £5. Tel 01505 874870.

Britax BabySafe car seat black x 2, height adjustable, suitable from birth til approx 2 yrs old. 5-point safety harness, works with 3-point seat belt, Britax BabySafe belted base or Britax BabySafe Isofix base. Both good condition. £35 each. Tel 01505 874870.

Tomy Classic baby monitors analogue x 2. £15 each, As good as new. Tel 01505 874870.

Vtech first step baby walker.

Good condition. £10. Tel 01505 874870.

Mothercare travel cot & playpen. Exc Cond. £20. Tel: 01505 704800.

Mothercare Toddler bed 5ft x 2ft6”. Excellent condition, hardly used. Duvet etc optional. £45. Tel: 01505 613741.

Mamas and Papas wooden cot/ bed and changing unit. Good condition. £55. Tel: 07580 072110.

‘My First Ready Bed’ (Winnie the Pooh), suitable from 1yr -3/4yrs old. £10ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Britax forward facing car seat, suit from 9mths. £20ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Baby High Chair, wooden, Mothercare. Cost £50, Sell for £15. Tel: 01505 326230.

VIB moses basket with mattress and wooden rocking stand. Blue cover and fitted sheets included-perfect condition. £40. Tel: 07815 288384.

Clothes & Shoes New Pringle gent’s golf sweater Navy blue. Size small. £20.

Tel: 01505 613108.

Vintage men’s jumper ‘Admiral’ -£15. Tel: 07517 065917.

Ladies high heel shoes, black.

Suitable for formal occasion. £10. VGC. Tel: 07517 065917.

Coats, dresses & jackets. All size 16. Either brand new or just worn once. All half price.

Tel: 01505 506385.

Household & Garden 2 seater settee. Red & green check/tartan. £25ono. Tel: 07780 671618.

‘Filippo Berio’ Salad Bowl Set: Cream Ceramic Bowl with wooden base, x 2 wooden salad servers; 500ml bottle Red Wine Vinegar; 500ml bottle White Wine Vinegar, boxed. Unwanted gift. £15.

Tel: 07977 398624.

Halogen cooker - casserole style. Used once. £20. Tel: 01505 613108.

Pedestal dining room table with centre folding leaf, 152cm long x 90cm wide. £40ono.

Tel: 01475 540110.

Wooden Rocking Chair (light wood), with fabric padded seat. Modern design, ladder back. Suit nursery. £40. Tel: 07797 7398624.

Dark Oak Dining Suite - Downsizing is dictating the sale of our immaculate traditional country kitchen style dining room suite in solid dark oak. Bought in 2007 for over £2,800. Consists of extending table 77” x 42” (59” x 42” without extension). 4 chairs and 2 carvers, Curio cabinet 40” wide x 54” high (top and bottom combined) x 16” deep, display cabinet with cupboards below 51” wide x 79” high (top and bottom combined) x 17”deep. Photos available & Inspection welcome in Houston - Uplift only. £495. Tel: 01505 690514.

TV stand, glass. Very good quality. £15. Tel: 01505 326230.

37” silver Neovia LCD TV with stand and remote included (with instruction leaflet).

Immaculate condition. £80 for quick sale. Tel: 01505 615156.

8 flush wooden doors, used, excellent cond with brass handles & hinges. Sizes 4 x 2040mm/726mm, 3 x 2040mm/626mm & 1 x 2040mm/826mm. Buyer uplifts from Houston. £15 each or £100 the lot. Tel: 07530 507874.

Reids 3 piece suite. Loose covers. £100 ono. Tel: 01505 506385.

Electrical & Gas Fridgemaster counter top freezer, as new. £50 ono.

Tel: 01505 614614.

Sports Childs Bike - Kokua Like a Bike - bright red balance bike suitable for age 2-6; Good condition £30. Tel: 01505 612920.

Girls Bike. Suit approx age 12. £15. Tel: 01505 704800.

Dare2b ‘All-in-One’ SKI SUIT aged 5-6, height 116cm, Powder blue, suit boy or girl £8. Tel: 07977 398624.

Girls bike with stabilisers, Raleigh Mini Miss, 10” frame, 14” wheels, £15. Tel: 01505 326577.

Norco 20” gents mountain bike, front suspension. 7005 aluminium hand built frame.

As new, used only a couple of time. Cost £400, accept £170. Tel: 07947 342645.

community council Visitors are welcome at these monthly meetings.

BISHOPTON: Primary School: 1st Thurs at 7.30pm www. bishoptoncouncil.com BRIDGE OF WEIR: Cargill Hall: 1st Tues at 7.00pm (NB: Last Tues of June, No Aug meeting) www. bridgeofweir.org BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: Last Thurs at 7.30pm (NB: No meetings: July or Dec) HOUSTON: Carrick Centre: 3rd Wed at 7.30pm www. houstoncommunitycouncil.co.uk HOWWOOD: Village Hall: 2nd Tues at 7.30pm. www. howwood.com/community-council.php KILBARCHAN: Steeple Hall: monthly at 7.30pm. www. kilbarchan.info/community_council.html KILMACOLM & QUARRIERS: Last Tues at 7.30pm, Kilmacolm Cargill Centre (NB: No meetings: July or Dec) www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk LANGBANK: Church Hall: 2nd Wed at 7.30pm LOCHWINNOCH: Parish Church: 1st Tues at 7.30pm

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Girl’s bike. Ridgeback Harmony 20 inch. Suit age 6-9.

Excellent condition. £50. Tel: 07881 938116.

Men’s Nike football shoes grey, size 9, £10. Tel: 07517 065917.

Set of Jack Nicklaus (Golden Bear) Golf Clubs & Bag. Almost New. Suit new player. £59. Tel: 01505 704220.

Ladies German continental bicycle (Rabeneick) with Paniers set £60ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Tag-along bicycle, great for ages 4+ to accompany parents on longer cycle rides, £30ono.

Tel: 01505 612321.

Sportline fitness multi function watch with instructions and original box. Cost £120, accept £70. Tel: 07947 342645.

Raleigh Chopper Bicycle Mk 3. Current cost new at least £250. Used, but in very good condition. £120. Tel: 01505 614745.

Toys/Games/DVD Playmobil Pyramid. Like new.

All original parts. Exc Cond. £30. Tel: 07951 010557.

5 Playmobil Vehicles. Exc C o n d . £ 1 0 . Te l : 0 7 9 5 1 010557.

Playmobil Builders Yard. Exc Cond. £10. Tel: 07951 010557.

Playmobil Pirate Island carry case. All parts. Exc Cond. £10. Tel: 07951 010557.

HM Armed Forces Snow Mobile & Figure. Exc Cond. £10.

Tel: 07951 010557.

HM Armed Forces Pop Up Tent.

Exc Cond. £7. Tel: 07951 010557.

Giant Stunt Scooter. Unwanted Gift. Exc Cond. £20. Tel: 07951 010557.

Age 3-5 BBC Games: ‘Bob the Builder’; ‘Balomory’; Pingu. £5. Age 3-5 PC Fun Club: ‘Rugrats Go Wild’, ‘Rugrats Munchin Land’; Disney Finding Nemo. £5. Tel: 07977 398624.

Age 5-7 Arthur ’s Thinking Games ‘Wilderness Rescue’; Arthur’s Reading Games, Arthur’s Learning Games. £5. Age 7+ PC Fun Club: Art Attack; Disney The Incredibles; Dogz 5. £5. Tel: 07977 398624.

Trembling Tower for kids ,new £10. Tel: 07517 065917.

Zhu Zhu pets play home, carriage and pets, £25ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Waybaloo three wheel scooter, £10ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Dora Scrabble words in English and Spanish, suit 4-6 year old, £5ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Selection of jigsaws from 50100 pieces, offers accepted.

Tel: 01505 612321.

Peppa Pig pram with umbrella and bag, suit 3/4 yr old, £10ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Barney DVD’s (4) £3ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Wii games Peppa Pig, Dance Juniors and Space Camp, £5 each ono. Tel: 01505 612321.

Other Items Amber necklaces from £35.

Tel: 07517 065917.

advertising

Adam Helios Electric Inset Fire ( brand new never been used) H60 W48 D20 cost £99.97 will accept £40 ono can deliver. Tel: 07796 085977.

A few vinyl box-sets, various “original hit artists & music” i.e.,-pop, easy listening, c&w, jazz, etc.- email me for lists - mclarenbill@hotmail.com.

Tel: 0141 944 2174.

Lexmark 910 series Photograph Printer (good condition) with new colour cartridge. £5. Tel: 07796 085977.

Bush-cd-r/cd-rw. Player, radio, tape cassette, cd.player, plus 6 x “original” cd’s (to get you started) in excellent working condition.-£15. Tel: 0141 944 2174.

6 x original harry lauder 78’s rpm records. Excellent condition - £15 for all 6. Tel: 0141 944 2174.

Yamaha portable electronic keyboard PSR80 with extras. £50. Tel: 01505 842558.

Bike telescopic towbar, turns kids bike into a tag-a-long, £15, Tel: 0505 326577.

Silver ring, circonium stone £35. Tel: 07517 065917.

Book “Secret language of Birthdays” personality profiles for every day, £10 (820 pages).

Tel: 07517 065917.

Pocket watches, approx 50 years old, various styles £35, in perfect working condition. Tel: 07517 065917.

Four Alloy wheels with tyres Fox FX004 Hyper Silver multi spoke 19” fit Ford Focus 5 stud. Excellent condition £150. Tel: 01505 706840.

Boxed set of British Airline Classics. Imperial Airways, BEA BOAC in 10 videos. £60. Used once. For Airline enthusiast (vintage). Tel: 01505 704220.

Cycle Carrier – Thule 566 model -1050-51. Fits to standard car roof bars. Holds cycle in secure vertical position.

3 separate units. Excellent condition. £60 for all 3. Tel: 07710 419240.

Toyota Sewing Machine – Model:- Super Jeans Series (Super J 15EU). This m/c is unused and boxed as brand new m/c. All original packaging. £90. Tel: 07710 419240.

Collection of pendelfin rabbits including uncle soames, cottage, bandstand and fruitshop. Good condition. £200 ono. Tel: 01505 614614.

Wanted Items Old records Wanted 45`s & LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 07710 777571.

Cash paid for Music CDs ( a few or a lot ). Tel: 0141 882 5594 or 07765 115347.

Italian conversation lessons wanted. We are a small group looking for conversation and Italian lessons in the local area. Tel: Barbara 01505 615000.

Cash paid for Copy of book Castles and mansions of Renfrewshire and Buteshire

by AH Millar. Tel: 07711 081857.

Black dining room table. Tel: 01505 506385.

The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in the course of a business MUST include the word Trader, Dealer, Agent, Breeder or appropriate wording in the Advertisement to distinguish from private advertisers.

sales & wants ad rates: UP TO £200 ....... FREE £201 to £500 ..... £5.00 £501 to £1000 ... £10.00 OVER £1000 ..... Call for details.

Use our Sales & Wants form below and post to The Advertizer, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN. or email your items to info@advertizer.co.uk The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in the course of a business MUST include the word Trader, Dealer, Agent, Breeder or appropriate wording in the Advertisement to distinguish from private advertisers.

CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER. The Gryffe Advertizer is a magazine published by The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd

Advertising throughout The Gryffe Advertizer: Definitions: “Standards” means the British Code of Advertising Practice and the provisions of any law applicable to advertising including, but not limited to, the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988, the Financial Services Act 1986, the Business Advertisement (Disclosure) Order 1977 and all amendments and replacements.

It is hereby agreed that: • The placing by the Advertising Client of an Advertisement is deemed to be acceptance of these Conditions of Acceptance of Advertising.

• All Advertisements in this Publication must not contravene the Standards.

• Insertion of Advertisements and/or Editorial is strictly at the discretion of the Publisher.

• The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the Advertising Client as a result of any failure, negligence or omission by any party in the course of the distribution or circulation of the Publication in which the Advertisement is scheduled to appear.

• In the event of any error, misprint or omission by the Publisher in the printing of an Advertisement, the Publisher will either re-insert the advertisement, adjust the cost or provide a refund. This does not apply if the Advertisement has been approved by the Advertising Client prior to publication. The total liability of the Publisher for such an occurrence shall not exceed the amount of a full refund for that particular Advertisement.

• The Advertising Client agrees to indemnify the Publisher in respect of all costs, damages or other charges falling upon the Publisher as the result of legal actions or threatened legal actions arising from the publication of the Advertisement, or any one or more of the series of Advertisements, published in accordance with the copy instructions supplied to the Publisher.

• Readers are reminded that when purchasing items or services advertised in the Publication that the Publisher cannot be held in any way responsible for the quality or correctness of the items or services included in the Advertisement.

Editorial throughout The Gryffe Advertizer: The opinions of the Contributors to this Publication are not necessarily the official views of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to edit or refuse any material submitted for publication.

21/02/2013 14:48:22

business directory ADVERTISERS - A to Z

63

by category Accountants & Financial

Driveways

Home Hardware

Property, Sales & Let

Affluent Financial Planning . . 23

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Cochran Dickie Estate Agents . . 25

Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Driving Instructors

Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 21

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 10

MS All Trades Limited . . . . . . 4

Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 25

Stewart Independent Financial . . 23

Crosslee Driver Training . . . 5

House for Sale Langbank . . . . 27

Architectural Services

Home Improvements

Drivesafe School of Motoring . . 3

Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 19

Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1,23

Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 19

Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7

Howe Joinery & Building Servic . . 2

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

GA Building Design . . . . . . . . . 19

Top Kat Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Kitten Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Quicksale Property Auctions . . 16

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

John McKay Gas & Heating Eng . . 15

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Home Interiors

Removals

Affluent Financial Planning . . 23

John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Art, Gifts & Flowers

Education St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 45

Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5

@ease Removals & Transport . . 43

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 18

Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 19

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Aileen Ferguson Hypnotherapy . . 36

John Smith Turf Supplies . . . 56

Electricians

Leishman Fine Art . . . . . . . . . 35

Classique Window Blinds . . . . 43

Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 10

Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 28

Andrew McAlindon Electrician . . 2

Renewable Energy

Andrew McAlindon Electrician . . 2

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 15

Lochwinnoch Post Office . . . . 34

Delta Electrical Services . . 31

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 18

2020 Renewables . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 56

Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3

S A Graham Painter Decorator . . 10

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 3

Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 35

Automotive Services

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Home Security

Restaurant & Bars

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Arlene Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 9

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3

Brookfield Alarms . . . . . . . . . 43

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 30

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14

Bathrooms

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2

Joiners

Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 29

Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1,23

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7

PMW Electrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

S A Graham Painter Decorator . . 10

Auntie Jacquie’s Dog Grooming . . 59

Kitten Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Bathroom Solutions by MPH . . 11

Fencing

DJY Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Baby Massage Classes . . . . . . . 10

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3

G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Howe Joinery & Building Servic . . 2

The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 3

Bathroom Solutions by MPH . . 11

Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 23

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 8

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 41

Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5

Leading Petcare . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Bedrooms

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Leishman Fine Art . . . . . . . . . 35

Firewood & Logs

Roofing

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 57

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3

Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 53

Blacksmith & Metalwork

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 2

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 27

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 8

Framing

McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15

Board Stiff (Houston) . . . . . 20

Lochwinnoch Post Office . . . . 34

Building Services

Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 19

RPH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Love Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . 56

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5

Leishman Fine Art . . . . . . . . . 35

Saltire Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 14

MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 40

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 55

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Funeral Services

SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 37

RPH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 13

SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 37

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 41

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 18

T&T Joiners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 13

Brookfield Alarms . . . . . . . . . 43

Matthews Cleaning Services . . 5

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14

Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 8

Tulisa Rose Roofing . . . . . . . . 19

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 2

MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk

Garage Doors & Gates

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3

Social Care

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12

MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 40

Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 41

McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 20

MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 40

Garden Service & Design

Carol Cowan Photography . . . . 38

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 8

Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 19

Millennium Group . . . . . . . . . . 10

Charles Stewart Decorators . . 5

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 4

MS All Trades Limited . . . . . . 4

Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 31

Classique Window Blinds . . . . 43

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 20

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 8

Crawford Landscapes . . . . . . . . 54

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2,57

Catering

DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 54

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club . . 51

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Finnie Domestic Fencing . . . . 56

Clyde Coast Décor . . . . . . . . . 34

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 18

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 15

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Cochran Dickie Estate Agents . . 25

Omni Housekeeping . . . . . . . . . 40

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 35

Charity

Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 54

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Passports to Go . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Quarriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Gowanlea Nurseries . . . . . . . . . 9

Leisure & Recreation

Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7

Childcare

John Smith Turf Supplies . . . 56

Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club . . 51

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

Love Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Locksmiths

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 8

PMW Electrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Cleaning & PowerWash

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 19

R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 54

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Council Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,31

Pret A Polish . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3

Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 19

Purple Tree Care . . . . . . . . . . 57

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14

Tulisa Rose Landscapes . . . . . 54

Painters & Decorators

Craig & Drummond Dental Surger . . 3

Quarriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 13

Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 57

Quicksale Property Auctions . . 16

Elite Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 57 West of Scotland Landscape . . 57

Charles Stewart Decorators . . 5

Crawford Landscapes . . . . . . . . 54

R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 54

Gas & Heating Services

Clyde Coast Décor . . . . . . . . . 34

Crosslee Driver Training . . . 5

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 42

Finnish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 25

Renfrewshire Leisure . . . . . . . 33

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 41

Gary Forbes Painter Decorator . . 14

Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

RPH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3

Delta Electrical Services . . 31

S A Graham Painter Decorator . . 10

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 29

Saltire Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Coffee Shops

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 41

John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

DJY Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 27

John McKay Gas & Heating Eng . . 15

John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 54

Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Computer, IT & Web

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Drivesafe School of Motoring . . 3

Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Glazier

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 59

Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1

Elite Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 37

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 23

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Speedy Cycle Repairs . . . . . . . 53

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 24

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 45

Finnie Domestic Fencing . . . . 56

Stewart Independent Financial . . 23

Cycle Repair

Finnish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Stickytiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Speedy Cycle Repairs . . . . . . . 53

First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 13

G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6

T&T Joiners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

GA Building Design . . . . . . . . . 19

Take the Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 8

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 57

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Gary Forbes Painter Decorator . . 14

The Consulting Room . . . . . . . . cb

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 3

Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 21 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 54 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14

@ease Removals & Transport . . 43

Houston Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 1,3

Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3

2020 Renewables . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Howe Joinery & Building Servic . . 2

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 55

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 41

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 13

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 41

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 56

JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 42

RPH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 37 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 13 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 8

Care Services & Homes

Baby Massage Classes . . . . . . . 10

Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2,57 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 18 Omni Housekeeping . . . . . . . . . 40

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 55 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 56 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 56 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 19 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 57

Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 5

Kilt & Dress Hire Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 13

Kitchens Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12 Howe Joinery & Building Servic . . 2 Kitten Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 8

Laundry & Ironing Board Stiff (Houston) . . . . . 20

Houston Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Retail Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 21

Quarriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Solicitors Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 25 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1,23

Special Occasions ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Sports Clubs & Events Renfrewshire Leisure . . . . . . . 33

Taxis & Minicoach hire ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 28

Tiling Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Stickytiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Travel Agents Arlene Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Travel a la Carte . . . . . . . . . 3

Tree Surgeon Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 54 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Purple Tree Care . . . . . . . . . . 57 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 57

TV & Satellite Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 29 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 Millennium Group . . . . . . . . . . 10

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 1,3

Pet Services & Training

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Auntie Jacquie’s Dog Grooming . . 59

Hairdressers & Barbers

Leading Petcare . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 30

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 59

Window Cleaners

Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 29

Take the Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 31

Photographers

Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15

Health, Beauty & Fitness

Carol Cowan Photography . . . . 38

Aileen Ferguson Hypnotherapy . . 36

Passports to Go . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 30

Plasterers

Baby Massage Classes . . . . . . . 10

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 2

Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 53

Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 4

Craig & Drummond Dental Surger . . 3

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 41

Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Osteopaths . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 24

Plumbers

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 35

A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 42

Top Kat Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 9

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 41

Gowanlea Nurseries . . . . . . . . . 9

Travel a la Carte . . . . . . . . . 3

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 20

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Tulisa Rose Landscapes . . . . . 54

Pret A Polish . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 41

Gryffe Homeworld . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Tulisa Rose Roofing . . . . . . . . 19

Renfrewshire Leisure . . . . . . . 33

Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 57

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The Consulting Room . . . . . . . . cb

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 13

West of Scotland Landscape . . 57

Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

The Osteopaths . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

House for Sale Langbank . . . . 27

Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 5

222_MAR13_60-63 CLASSIFIED.ind.indd 63

Council Notices Council Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,31

Upholstery Services P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 35

Matthews Cleaning Services . . 5

Windows, Consv & Repair 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 1,3 Gryffe Homeworld . . . . . . . . . . Bk JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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