village news

local community, local life ............... 12

Bridge of Weir Churches Together Easter Trail

The Bridge of Weir Churches Together Easter Trail – Freeland Church, St Mary’s Church and St Machar’s Ranfurly Church all collaborated to share the Easter story during the school holidays. The Easter Trail runs until Sunday 11th April. The Easter Trail begins at St Machar’s Ranfurly Church (Kilbarchan Road) where you can pick up a free bag for children with the instructions and items that you need on the trail. There are also laminated cards with a prayer trail for teens and adults. Each stop on the trail has a large board explaining part of the Easter story. You can do it in one go or, if it is too long for little or older legs, over a few days. The trail instructions are also online on www.stmacharsranfurlychurch/community and on our churches’ social media pages. Members of Freeland, St Mary’s and St Machar’s Ranfurly Churches have recorded readings through the entire Gospel of Mark (not as long as it sounds!). There will be two or three chapters read daily, which will take approx. 15-20 mins. These videos were shared on YouTube during Holy Week: Palm Sunday (28th March) through to Easter Sunday (4th April). The Bridge

Bridge of Weir Festival Committee/ Santa Sleigh

Santa would like to thank all those involved with his sleigh tour this year. A big Thank You to AK Vehicle Rental for providing the van for the sleigh. Also, a big Thank You to all those who came to wave to Santa as he toured about. With any luck Santa will be back to his normal duties this coming Christmas.

Brookfield News

VW Bistro Since early March, Brookfi eld has had its very own coffee stall operating from the car park at the Village Hall. Imported from California, the VW Bistro is a converted 1969 T2 VW Campervan and will be serving up tea and premium coffee together with cake. Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2pm. Social distancing rules apply. For updates, follow VW Bistro on Facebook or Instagram. delaYed agM A virtual Annual General Meeting of Brookfi eld Village Council covering the period January - December 2019 fi nally took place on Thursday 25th February via Zoom. This AGM was scheduled for March 2020 but was unable to take place owing to the Covid 19 restrictions. At the meeting, several residents expressed concern at the speed at which some vehicles are being driven in the Village. Both the Village Council and Community Council would urge residents to be mindful of driving at a safe speed. Please be aware that there are 20mph signs in both Albert Road and Victoria Road. This is an indicative speed but it is hoped that for the safety of all residents as well as pets, drivers adhere to this speed on all roads in the village. Thank you in anticipation of your help and co-operation. Facebook: brookfi eldvillage.org | Twitter: @Brookfi eldVPA | e-mail: brookfi eldvpa@gmail.com Spring is upon us and already we are planning for Christmas 2021! Alison Bannerman has fi nished our much acclaimed Christmas card and members of the Paisley Colour Photographic Club are taking photographs for the 2022 Calendar. greetings Cards - due to strong sales we are continually restocking our selection of cards for all occasions. easter sunday - is celebrated on 4th April. Brighten up someone’s day, especially this year, by sending an Easter Greetings card from our colourful display. Post Offi ce - The usual postal services are provided during opening hours. stuart and fiona - Later this month we are saying goodbye to Stuart as he retires and welcoming Fiona as she joins the Post Offi ce team. Stuart, thank you for 4 years of friendly and reliable service. It has been a great pleasure working with you. The Co-op Local Community Fund - The Bridge is one of the three local causes which will benefi t from the Fund during 2021. Funds raised will be used to improve facilities. Please register with the Coop to support The Bridge. Join online at “coop.co.uk/membership” or by downloading the “Co-op app.” The reference for The Bridge is 48305. Becoming a Co-op member is an opportunity to assist local community groups, not only this year, but in future years. Thank you for your support over the last number of challenging months. We look forward to serving you soon. (Opening Hours: Mon – 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Tues to Sat – 10am to 1pm.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk | SPRING April 2021 13

WARD 11

Cllr Natalie Don

It is great to be able to write to you all again. The last year has been incredibly difficult for us all with the Covid-19 pandemic but with the continued roll out of the vaccine, we can all hope to get back to some form of normality this year. Renfrewshire Council’s budget was recently passed, which prioritises Renfrewshire’s Covid Recovery and puts the well-being of our communities at it’s heart, despite huge pressures as a result of the pandemic. CounCil tax: Will be frozen for the coming year, more money will be invested into our play parks and green spaces as a result of the vital role these spaces played during the pandemic. There will be funding to support the provision of safe road crossing facilities to improve safer walking routes to schools and nurseries and funding for studies to reduce traffic and promote safer walking within rural Renfrewshire villages. More funding to support social recovery including more funding into mental health, support for businesses, support for private tenants, care experienced young people and young carers and a large investment to support increased pressures in the Adult Social Care Services. Bishopton: I am well aware of the growing concern for increased health provision. This is an absolute priority for me and I have been continuously pushing for progress with this and will continue to do so. I am pleased that both the nursery and primary school in Dargavel are progressing well with the nursery still on track for completion in July 2021 and the primary school set for its first intake of pupils in the new school year. Bridge of Weir: Scottish Water begin repairs in Mimosa Road following a longstanding issue with sewage overspill. I hope once complete that this provides the solution that was so badly needed for local residents. I know that local roads are a concern following a harsh winter. Renfrewshire Council’s roads resurfacing programme is now being finalised and I have requested several of our local roads are included in this years programme including Main Street in Bridge of Weir. Finally, I know that many people have been concerned by an increase in incidents of vandalism and fire raising in our communities with bins set alight, parks vandalised and play equipment destroyed. This is simply not acceptable, our outside spaces have been so important to us during lockdown and it is really sad to see things that are enjoyed or used by the community being ruined. I have raised all incidents that have been brought to my attention with the Police and the wardens service and will continue to do so. ContaCt: Due to the current COVID restrictions, my surgeries are taking place remotely at 10am on the first Saturday of the month however I am happy to arrange a call at anytime throughout the month. Residents can contact me to arrange a chat by emailing me at: natalie.don@renfrewshire.gov.uk

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