GRYFFE Valley Rotary Club

CoVid-19: As I write this article, I am pleased to say that I have my appointment for the vaccine which I will be getting and I hope that everyone will take up the offer. We have to wait and see if it will be mandatory to have the vaccine for events like holidays, or to have a letter of exemption. CleVens road footpath: As an update on the Clevans Road footpath, you may be aware that the council has agreed to put in new drainage along Clevans Road between Donaldfi eld Road and Golf Course Road including repairing and tarmacking the footpath. This will make a much safer route for pedestrians accessing the Donaldfi eld Estate and beyond. Hopefully this will be fi nished by the time you read this. litter piCKing: A big thank you to everyone who has joined the Team Up To Clean Up group. All you litter pickers, and I include myself in this, are making a huge difference to our environment. For anyone else who wants to join in, we have free litter picker and green bags available to get you started. ContaCt: No surgeries at present but I hope they will be starting up again soon. 07534 148794 / cllr.james.maclaren@ renfrewshire.gov.uk Working with you and improving our local area. Please feel free to contact me with any of your concerns. If there is something that you would like me to write about more often then please drop me a line. It is always good to get feedback, particularly of the positive kind. local community, local life ............... 14 Gryffe Valley Rotary Club

MeMBership There has been a good response to the campaign to diversify the club by fi nding new members. Four new members joined at the meeting on 3rd March (A fi rst for the club on Zoom): Dr Les King a retired engineer, Dr Astrid Koenig a surgeon, Dr Thorsten Koenig a trainee minister, and Matt McElroy a retired teacher. A fi fth new member- Councillor James Maclaren – will be inducted shortly. Several further initiatives are being investigated around attracting local business people. Watch this space! If you are interested, please email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com and we will talk to you about the opportunities which Rotary brings. support for Young people

Youth speaks The Gryffe Valley Rotary annual public speaking competition could not be in public this year! However, undeterred, seven teams from St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm recorded their speeches which were then judged by members of the Renfrewshire Speakers Club from the comfort of their own homes. The winners of the Senior category were team “Chilli Chips”, who debated the issues around “Social Media is a hindrance to personal development”. In the Intermediate category the winners were “There is no “I” in Team”, debating “Foods with high sugar content should cost more”. The Runners-up were “The Cosmonauts”, discussing “We should abandon Earth and colonise another planet”. We are very grateful to everyone who participated in Youth Speaks this year …. The competitors, the Judges and the St Columba’s staff.

Young Chef Unable to organise our Annual Young Chef Competition in the usual format, we decided to add some cheer by offering prizes for the best Festive Fare produced by classes in Gryffe High and St Benedict’s. A few hundred pupils from S1 to S3 took part, with some amazing results. Well done to all the pupils and many thanks to the food technology staff in both schools for their enthusiastic support with the organisation, judging and photographs. The Youth Speaks and Young Chef events are just two of many competitions for young people organised by Rotary in co-operation with local schools. Winners of the Young Writer competition will be announced shortly and plans are afoot for the Primary School Quiz. For details of how to get involved please email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com . Home Start books for kids Gryffe Valley Rotary helped more than more than 200 disadvantaged children in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde at Christmas through a project with Home Start - generously supported by the Arnold Clark organisation. Home Start (https://www.home-start-renfrewshire.org.uk/) is a nationwide charity which exists to give emotional and practical support to parents with young children, in order to give children the best possible start in life. Approximately £2,000 was spent by Rotary on selected good quality books - carefully matched to the ages of the children (6 months to 17 years) - to provide presents which were delivered by Home Start. speaKer Meetings Our speaker meetings continue over Zoom at roughly fortnightly intervals. We have enjoyed some excellent talks from Rev Willie McPherson spoke about the work of the Vine Trust, Sue Hope who talked about the Freedom from Fistula charity, Lewis Bright, grandson of Jim McBeath (the Club’s Speaker’s convenor) who told us about his attendance at the 24th World Scout Jamboree, Kirsteen Plop on the work of the Leonard Cheshire charity, and Colin Johnson, Head Teacher of Gryffe High School, on the achievements of the school and current challenges. Topics for future meetings include “Ski Touring”, “Aquabox”, “The Mayfl ower”, and “Local Railways”.

The Council’s roads investment programme for 2021/22 includes a number of local projects: carriageway resurfacing on Finlaystone Road (Yetts Avenue to Leperstone Road) and Bridge of Weir Road (Lochwinnoch Road to Rowantreehill Road); footway resurfacing of Lochwinnoch Road (Knockbuckle Road to Castlehill Road); and widening of Glenmill Bridge. There are also a number of reserve projects: carriageway resurfacing of sections of Belmont Road; footway resurfacing on Park Road (Knockbuckle Road to Castlehill Road); resurfacing of the footbridge over the cycle path on Lochwinnoch Road; and replacement of the parapet of the Craigbet Avenue Bridge. After consultation the Barrs Brae and Lochwinnoch Road car parks will remain as free 24hour carparks. The Local Development Plan will determine whether the new car park will be on Gillburn Road or behind the old Police Station.

CoVid-19: After a few false dawns, at long last there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this terrible virus. The virus rate in Inverclyde is again the lowest in the health board area and the local vaccination programme is making good progress. We can’t be afford to be complacent however. We need to stick with the restrictions as long as they are in place. farMers MarKet: I received a number of complaints about the Kilmacolm Famers Market and in particular the huge number of people visiting the market on 6th March. While in normal times we would be delighted to welcome visitors to Inverclyde the current restrictions don’t allow for nonessential travel and the location of the market in Kilmacolm is not suitable for such large numbers. CounCil tax: The Council set its budget on 18th March, having previously set the Council Tax on 18th February. The Council Tax was frozen at the previous year’s levels, although households will see their bills increase marginally as the Government has permitted Scottish Water to increase its charges. CounCil Budget: The priorities in setting the Council’s budget were to limit any reductions in frontline services and jobs and support the recovery from Covid. Despite a disappointing settlement yet again from the Scottish Government we have achieved these objectives, in large measure through the use of Council reserves. Key proposals in the budget include a £6m Inverclyde Jobs Recovery Plan and a £4m Covid Recovery Fund. ContaCt: My face to face advice surgeries remain suspended due to the current Covid restrictions. 01475 712020 (during offi ce hours) / Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov. uk. Alternatively you can write to me at 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm PA13 4HL. local community, local life ............... 16

litter piCKing: The admirable Kilmacolm Litter Pickers, impressively organised by Jennifer Cowan, have continued all winter and make a signifi cant difference to the look of the village. The Community Council had their annual clean up in March. sChools: Schools will not be fully back until after Easter. Some pupils will return for only a few hours a week in the classroom and there should be more concern for the logistical problems of working parents. The Scarecrow competition organised by St Columba’s Junior School brightened up Halloween as did the Christmas light competition. Great thanks is due to the girls at the Cross Café and the Community Council for organising the Christmas Hamper Raffl e which raised a signifi cant sum for the Guides and the Scouts. The S1 intake for Port Glasgow High School has increased from 100 to 120 for the academic year 2021/22. Under Stuart Clark and Gillian Carroll the school has shown signifi cant academic improvement and the numbers of placing requests tell their own story. KnoCKnairshill CeMetarY: An expansion at a cost of £1.6m has been approved to go to tender. This removes any urgency from an extension to Kilmacolm Cemetery though I do know there would be a demand for lairs in the village. BroWn Bins: The fi nal pickups will be the 8th and 15th of November. I have asked for a later date. planning: The Local Development Plan will be concluded after consultation by May. The hearings for both applications at West of Quarry Drive and Plannetreeyetts will be conducted around the end of April. Venue and communication method to be decided. Still no news on the Carsemeadow appeal in Quarriers. roads: The safety measures on the Port Glasgow Road A761 accident blackspot have been implemented. I am concerned about speeding in the village and believe that a 20mph limit may help and would welcome comment. laMBing season: I have been asked to remind dog owners to keep dogs on a lead. Being worried by a dog can cause a ewe to abort. CoVid-19: I sit on a cross party Covid 19 Recovery Board of 5 Councillors. We assess sub groups including Economic, Humanitarian, Education, Sport and Culture. We have Covid 19 updates, in great detail, on a weekly basis. As I write we are under 50 cases per 100,000. ContaCt: david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk / 07766 992294, 01475 741969, 712975.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk | SPRING April 2021 17 Scotland’s Garden Scheme Plant Sale

Saturday 24th April, 10am to 12pm

Spring plant sale in the centre of Kilmacolm, outside the Library, on Saturday 24th April 10am12pm. In aid of Pancreatic Cancer Scotland and SGS charities. Please check SGS website for updates and visitor guidance.

As lockdown continues we have all being making the most of our outdoor space (when it’s not too wet) and enjoying walks in and around the village. However as well as taking in the scenery many have been saddened by the amount of litter lying around at the roadside. But as always there are those wonderful people who don’t just see the problem, they decide that they can make a difference and so we are grateful to those villagers who have been picking up litter in and around the village and surrounding roads. So if you’ve driven along the A8 just east of Langbank and spotted green bags full of litter waiting to be picked up or extra green bags beside bins then you’ll know it’s because folks have been out and about trying to make their village that bit nicer for everyone. To those kind individuals and families, THANK YOU! We know Langbank is not alone in this and that many areas are joining the Renfrewshire Team Up To Clean Up initiative, which has inspired many to do their bit – more information on this can be found on council website or Team Up to Clean Up Facebook page. Sadly another thing noted by villagers during the past few months is the increase in dog fouling, which we know is a problem for other communities too. There are many things about this issue which angers and frustrates people and we are keen to try to tackle the issue in a positive way, but how do you reach out to people? In Langbank we are going to try a bit of Scottish Education to ask people to think about the inconvenience to others and the dangers to animals when they don’t pick up after their dog. So some posters will be going up around the village, which we hope will help. On a positive note we continue to support our friends and neighbours through this pandemic; bikes are still being mended, grants for village improvements sought, errands ran for vulnerable neighbours, prescriptions collected. The list goes on so thank you Langbank and keep it up, even once normality returns we hope this renewed community spirit will continue. For further information please contact the Langbank Community Council at info@langbank-community.com

The Local Outreach team at Houston & Killellan Kirk have been anxious not to allow Lockdown to derail their regular community initiatives. Likewise the many volunteers, assisting with these projects were keen to maintain the momentum. • Weekly Foodbank Collections continued at the West Halls The Renfrew Foodbank reported that the Houston Community had provided an inspiring close to 25,000 meals in the fi rst 9 months of Lockdown. Although Foodbank collections were suspended for six weeks early in the year, in the interest of the safety of staff and volunteers, collections then re-started with the same enthusiastic response. • Warm Clothes Collection in November This annual initiative was again incredibly well supported, with 26 large bags of new warm clothes divided between the Simon Community and Refuweegee. There was also a £200 donation to Glasgow City Mission, to be used to purchase warm clothes, as they have little storage space. • Christmas Gifts for the Children of Prisoners Another annual initiative where there was greatn generosity in the response from the community for these children, supported by CrossReach at Perth and Polmont Prisons. Elaine Waugh from CrossReach, who came with a large van to collect over 200 large gift bags of goodies, said she was humbled by the impressive collection, which would make so much of a difference to the children. Her fellow children’s worker was speechless on receiving the delivery. • Christmas Cards prepared by Sunday Club The older folk in our congregation were thrilled with the Christmas Cards prepared and delivered by the Sunday Club. The oldest recipient was nearing her 108th birthday, on which she received her COVID vaccination, as well as a card from the Queen. Not sure she expected a wait of 108 years, before appearing on BBC & CNN News! • Hand Sanitiser supply generously donated The Kirk had a large quantity of hand sanitiser donated and this has been (or will be when businesses re-open) distributed to various small retail outlets, sports clubs and pub/restaurants in the village. • Easter Eggs for the children of families supported by The Star Project During March, those donating to the Foodbank were encouraged to provide Easter Eggs for children supported by The Star Project in Paisley. Typically the Houston Community responded with great generosity. These are just some of the activities which have continued in this diffi cult climate. They don’t include the busy weekly Family and Community programme undertaken by Frankie. Full details of the activities lead by Frankie are on the Kirk website: www.houstonkillellankirk.org. Also, of course, there is all the work undertaken by Revd. Gary, supported by Thorsten (Ministry Candidate) – much of which often goes unnoticed, as it is in the background. A good example of this has been Revd Gary’s many hours of involvement in the preparation of the QR Code Virtual Nativity, displayed in the village at Christmas. local community, local life ............... 18

2021/22 Budget: Last month saw high drama with the eventual adoption of Renfrewshire Council’s budget for 2021/22 by only two votes. I very much welcome the Rural Safe Walking Initiative contained within the Budget which aims to control and eradicate speeding in and through Renfrewshire’s villages, such as Houston, Crosslee, and Brookfi eld. I know through talking to other village councillors, of all political persuasions, that this is sadly a very live issue across our village communities but it has to be tackled in the name of health and safety. The Initiative will look at the full range of anti speeding measures, from speedbumps to chicanes, and act where appropriate in consultation with the local community. roads & paVeMents: Another key element to the new Budget is more investment into roads and pavements. We have just gone through another very cold period and unfortunately the frost rips up many of the repairs previously completed, even in the last two years. One notable example which needs attention is the section of Barrochan Road from Crosslee to West Fulton, which has badly broken up. I intend to bring this to the attention of council offi cers. Crones & Colitis: I was further pleased that the last full council meeting unanimously passed a motion I submitted on better toilet signage for sufferers from Crones and Colitis. This was raised with me by a Houston constituent who stressed to me how diffi cult it can be to fi nd public amenities when out and about. She directed me to the Crones and Colitis UK website, and I decided to do all I could to raise this very important issue to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from this debilitating condition. ContaCt: Councillors are not at the moment having face to face surgeries due to the Covid 19 restrictions. cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk / 07768 130935.

The past year has shown how important having a variety of outdoor spaces on our doorsteps is. Houston has a good number of outdoor spaces and paths, but there is always room for improvement. Some places and routes are easier to access than others, depending where you live. Fortunately, a solution is at hand! Houston Community Council has secured money from Sustrans Scotland to make it easier and safer for everyone in Houston to get outdoors and move about, and to improve the quality of outdoor spaces to enjoy across the village. Between now and June 2021, the Community Council has partnered with a design team (of which I’m part) to work with the community and see what could be improved where and how, and then what the key priorities are. The first stage of the project is now live! We want to find out what people think of a number of path routes and outdoor spaces across Houston. Please go to our new interactive website at www.connecting-houston.com, where you can show us where you go outdoors and share your ideas for improvement. The more people who can get involved, the better the outcome will be for everyone, so please spread the word! Feel free to circulate this poster.... If you’ve got any questions, I’d love to hear from you. Please give me a call (07900 334110) or email me: nick@nickwrightplanning.co.uk.

We are absolutely delighted to report that Houston and Killellan Kirk have been successful in their application for a £10,000 National Lottery Community Fund Award to establish a Men’s Shed for the Houston Community. The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said “In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to fl ow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroot groups. I would like to congratulate Houston and Killellan Kirk Men’s Shed group on their award, theirs is an important project and will support people now and in the future when they can physically come back together to make great things happen in their community.” The need for a Men’s Shed in the community emerged from the Conversation Café that the Kirk held with the Houston Community in 2019. Mental health and loneliness were highlighted as priority areas with which our community wanted support and the Kirk are keen to provide this support. Men’s Sheds are a growing movement across the UK and make a signifi cant impact on the health and wellbeing of the community as they help reduce isolation and empower local communities. The Houston Community Men’s Shed will be equipped with work benches and tools where men (and women) can meet while pursuing their practical interests and skills, offering to fi x and make items for people in the local community and become involved in community projects. It will provide a vital service and space for the community, not only where folk can get some practical jobs done, but where social connections and friendships can be made and concerns shared – or folk can just come along for a blether with like-minded people. Adam McCartney, the Men’s Shed project lead, commented “I’m really excited to take this project forward on behalf of the Community here in Houston. The ‘Men’s Shed’ concept is already well established in Scotland and we have taken the opportunity to visit a number of local initiatives already making a favourable mark on their Community. I was a strong supporter of this idea when it was fl agged up at our Community Conversation Café and, as we face the many challenges resulting from the lockdown restrictions of the past year, I’m even more convinced of the benefi ts which a successful ‘Shed’ could bring to our Community here in Houston in the period ahead.” At the time of preparing this item of news, the preparatory work on the site had just started.

Left to right: Adam McCartney (Project Convenor), Jack McNeill, John Wilson & Ian Jackson

As in previous years, Remembrance Sunday retiral offerings will be split between Erskine Home and SSAFA. At our Communions (March and October), and our Easter and Christmas Services the collections will be divided between the baby milk project in Mwandi, St Vincent’s Hospice and the Star Project in Paisley. Erskine Home provides support to Armed Forces veterans of all ages in Scotland, through care homes and a Veterans’ Village, including an Activity Centre, and has constructed a number of Single Living Apartments. ssafa is the UK’s oldest national tri-service charity, existing for over 130 years to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst Armed Forces veterans and their families, in order to support their independence and dignity. St Vincent’s Hospice will be known to many as providing in-patient care to those with life limiting conditions, but also a day care service offering emotional and other support. About 70% of the running costs have to be achieved through fundraising. The Star Project is an award winning Community Development Organisation based in Paisley, delivering a diverse programme of creative group, community, and individual support to adults and families. The Mwandi Baby Milk Project has been supported for a number of years by sending funds through the Kirk’s Missionary Partners based in Zambia. The money is used to purchase baby milk for children where mothers are unable to provide this. During Lockdown periods, while there may not be the opportunity to make retiral offering donations at the Kirk, these may be made at the Foodbank at the West Halls on Tuesdays in envelopes, marked accordingly. Alternatively, there will be a tab available on the Kirk website www.houstonkillellankirk.org at the appropriate times. The Charities, as always (and perhaps more so in these diffi cult times) are most grateful for the support!