257 February 2016 - Gryffe Advertizer

February 2016 No.257 Distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Elderslie • Houston • Howwood • Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank • Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

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Snowdrops at Finlaystone Estate, Langbank

No. 257

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Expert Gutter Cleaning With Winter now well and truly here the wind has now blown the last of the leaves off the trees and unfortunately many of them are now lying in our gutters along with moss, twigs, etc blocking the gutter and stopping the water from flowing down the spout where it should go.

We use a state of the art carbon fibre gutter vacuum system which is safer for your gutters and safer for us giving a more efficient & effective clean than old fashioned methods whilst potentially saving you money. Call now for a free quote. 01505 863 863.

Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal Every March, thousands of people across the country join together and pull out all the stops to get behind the Great Daffodil Appeal.

Why not join us for just two hours to collect donations and give out daffodil pins?

Every £20 pays for an hour of nursing care – giving peace of mind to people living with terminal illness and a chance for their family to rest.

You’ll see daffodils everywhere in March – from your local high street to national TV – and we want you to be part of it.

Sign up with a friend if you like at https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/ daffodil-appeal and get involved!

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This

Month

Do you remember what happened in 2007?

Did you know we’ve got all our back issues online? All the way back to 2007 with a couple even older than that! I received a notification that one of our online issues (Jan 2008) hadn’t been looked at for some time and would be taken down, so a quick review and a share on facebook got that one reactivated. In reading through the January 2008 issue, I noticed that I had commented on the completion of extensions at both Gryffe High and Houston Primary schools.

Also, the three new sets of traffic lights: 1. Houston Road / Kilmacolm Rd, Bridge of Weir; 2. Torr Road / Main St, Bridge of Weir; 3. Magnus Road / Houston Rd, Houston. The traffic lights may not be perfect, but it’s hard now to remember how awful these junctions were before.

By the end of 2007, the new gym at Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm was almost complete and in Lochwinnoch the Community Buy-out Group was awarded the ‘right to buy’ the former Struthers bottling plant, while the dangerous junction at the Beith Road was being sorted out with a new roundabout. Sadly the Struthers purchase didn’t go ahead and that building still sits empty, but the new roundabout at the Beith Road is a huge improvement.

Local funding

contact us The Gryffe Advertizer

Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN t: 01505 613340 or e: info@advertizer.co.uk For more information please call us on 01505 613340 or check our website at www.advertizer.co.uk

Next Issue: No.258 March 2016

Deadline: Friday 12th February 2016 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.

contents local news..........................8-12 dental blog.............................13 photography hints & tips.......16 what’s on.............................14-20 business news.....................25 financial blog.........................25 it blog..................................25 local history...........................28 on the road...............................29 pets...............................22-23 pet blog ............................22

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It was reported in the news a couple of weeks ago that council tax in Scotland has not increased since 2007. This was a strategy by the Scottish Government to freeze council tax, which seemed like good idea at the time, but as councils have struggled year after year under ever-reducing budgets, maybe it is time for a rethink. We hear now that Moray Council have decided enough is enough and are proposing an increase of around 18%. They have calculated that this is the figure they need to maintain the level of service the public expect. Of course, if they had made increases year on year in line with inflation, it would probably be far more than the 18% rise suggested now. But the public will perceive this as a huge increase and there will be complaints; although I’m sure there will be even more disgruntled constituents if their services were cut even further.

Tale of a Dog

This time last year, we reported on a happy ending for a wee dog who’d gotten lost. The power of social media works well in these circumstances. A couple of weeks ago, a lovely dog found in Kilmacolm had her photo posted on Facebook by a concerned villager. After The Advertizer shared the post, we got a message from a reader saying their friends visiting from afar had just lost their dog.

Putting the two in touch with each other, we quickly established it was indeed the missing pooch and everyone was happy again. Like it, or not, (no pun intended) Facebook has it’s uses.

On the Road village news....................30-39 outdoors..........................40-43 sports & clubs news.............49-51 sporting blog..........................51 schools news.....................44-48 advertiser directory................55 business classified...........52-53 church listings....................53 deadlines dates...................53 property classified.................53 sales & wants......................54

We hear there are to be improvements at the roundabout on the A8 at Langbank.

Much needed many will say, following an increasing number of ‘near-misses’ as traffic speeds through that junction. We’ll update as plans progress.

Check out proposed roadworks by visiting www.roadworksscotland.org or via our two local council websites, www.renfrewshire.gov.uk and www.inverclyde. gov.uk. We’ll try to keep you updated too on Facebook and Twitter - please follow our facebook page, “Gryffe Roadwatch”, for regular updates on road repairs and conditions. Facebookers can also post to this page, so if you’re out and about and see a hold-up, please let us know.

Next deadline Friday 12 February!

The Advertizer is the ideal platform to tell the community your news as we reach over 13,000 homes and businesses in the Gryffe area.

Send in your news and photos to: info@advertizer.co.uk

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Volunteers required to help with Snowdrops Regular visitors will be aware that February is Snowdrop time at Finlaystone and many hours are spent lifting, splitting, selling and replanting these magnificent plants. If you would like to be part of this activity, even if it is just for a couple of hours, please contact Norah or Fraser on 01475 540505 or email shop@finlaystone. co.uk

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Call To Yarns! A Community Project It is time for The Renfrewshire Tapestry Andrew Crummy, Scottish artist and designer - who drew the panels for the Battle of Prestonpans, the Great Tapestry of Scotland and the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry - will be working together with an eclectic group of people to create a tapestry for Renfrewshire. It will be a celebration of the amazing global importance of this part of Scotland, a tourism draw and have its part to play in the City of Culture bid 2021.

Want to know more? Want to take part?

Everyone is welcome to our Call to Yarns! – The Renfrewshire Tapestry project launch on Saturday 20 February at Paisley Abbey from 11am until 1pm Andrew Crummy will be introducing the project, as well as leading a workshop.

You can also:- Take part in a textile walk; - Chat to historians and meet up with a monk, walk with Wallace, greet a gallus Mill Girl…; Tell your stories and memories; - Try your hand at a stitch or more; - Please also - Donate your tapestry wool - authentic Anchor tapestry wool is needed to sew the tapestry. We are determined the tapestry will only be sewn with authentic Anchor yarn. Please look out any tapestry wool that you have in your households… and bring it with you.

The Renfrewshire Tapestry will reflect the wonderful history of Renfrewshire.

Everyone who is involved will be acknowledged in this stepping stone in the continued celebration of the unique status of Renfrewshire.

WELCOME to Call to Yarns! - The Renfrewshire Tapestry Launch Further details or any questions – call: 07702 961301 Image copyright of Andrew Crummy, Alex Hewitt and Weaving Musical Threads [WMT]

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Carol Thomas - cycle track at Kilbarchan

Dream children meet the cast of Aladdin Two young Inverclyde girls, Hollie Watt and Emma Mackintosh enjoyed a special time when they were able with their families to enjoy the pantomime Aladdin at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock and then meet the cast.

15% early bird discount for the RAMH 2016 Dinner & Quiz

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Advertizer readers are being given an exclusive 15% early bird discount for the RAMH 2016 Dinner & Quiz on Friday 13th May at the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew. This year’s fabulous event is sponsored by University West of Scotland and includes a fizz reception, delicious 3 course meal and celeb-hosted quiz.

Guests can compete for the champions’ trophy either as a business, or a team of fab friends.

Save 15% by booking before Friday 26th February; tickets are only £29.95 p/p when you contact enquiries@ramh.org or 0141 847 8900 quoting RAMH1605.

Bookings made after 26th Feb return to the regular price of £35 p/p. Teams are of 10 guests maximum.

The complementary reception begins at 7pm with dinner commencing at 7.30pm. There are 8 rounds of quiz questions ending at midnight followed by dancing until 1am. Dress is smart/casual.

Save The Children

This fun filled event is terrific value for money and your support will enable local people to recover from mental ill health and build independent, fulfilled lives. RAMH looks forward to seeing you there!

With the Christmas holidays being a distant memory and an Easter break still a long way away, staying mentally healthy at work is key to sustaining yourself. Top tips include: • Go home on time • Take a lunchbreak • Set realistic deadlines • Take your holiday leave • Allocate time to do the things you enjoy RAMH is here for you 365 days a year.

If you live in Renfrewshire and need urgent support call 0141 848 9090 or (freephone from landlines) 0500 829 093. For information about other available services visit www.ramh.org or call 0141 847 8900.

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Arranged by Dreams Come True in Inverclyde with the help of the Beacon, the girls’ parents said that they all greatly enjoyed the occasion. Chris Jewell, Inverclyde Coordinator for Dreams Come True, added, “We were very pleased to make this happen for the girls and are extremely grateful to the Beacon staff and to the cast for their help.”

Both girls recently received their dreams come true, Holly’s being to receive a new sensory ball pit while Emma went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Chris added, ‘We hope to make many more dreams come true for children and young people aged 2 to 21 who are seriously ill or who have life limiting medical conditions. Anyone can nominate a child or young person to receive a dream on the charity’s website www.dreamscometrue.uk.com or by getting in touch with me on 01475 783000 or by email to me at chris@dreamscometrue.uk.com

Louise is a hit with singer Jason Donovan A Slimming World Consultant from Houston is feeling ready to make any (weight-loss) dream come true after meeting legendary soap actor and pop star Jason Donovan.

Louise O’Neill, who runs a Slimming World group at New Tweedie Hall, Linwood every Tuesday, was delighted to get a chance to cuddle up to the Australian heartthrob when he swapped Ramsay Street for the annual Slimming World Awards. He co-hosted the event with the organisation’s chair and founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.

Noel and Holly are pleased to announce that they were successful in finding a loving home for Christmas.

The winner of the raffle was Isobel Evans who has twin-grandchildren – we know we will be very happy with them.

Tricia and Lyn are pleased to donate the £100 raised to help to improve the often appalling and tragic lives some children have to endure in the UK and worldwide. Many thanks to all who purchased raffle tickets and made this possible and to Three Sisters Bake who hosted the raffle.

Louise said meeting Jason was a wonderful way to round off a fabulous year for the Linwood Slimming World group, as well as a great way to get ready for another successful Slimming World Consultant Louise O’Neill meets former soap star and 12 months: “I couldn’t be prouder of the singer Jason Donovan. members of the Linwood group. They’ve lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2015, with many of them making their weight loss dreams come true by hitting their target weight, improving their health and more.

Please Give Blood Boglestone Community Centre Dubbs Place, Port Glasgow PA14 5UD Monday, 15 February 4pm - 7.30pm

Kirklandneuk Community Centre Ness Road, Renfrew PA4 9DE Thursday, 18 February 2pm - 3.45pm & 5.15pm - 7.30pm

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A Gem in the Crown of Inverclyde One of Scotland’s oldest registered charities is on our doorstep and yet many local people are unaware of its charitable objectives and the good work that it does. It is Greenock Medical Aid Society, and as it exists today, was constituted through the merger of two organisations with similar objectives in the field of charitable work.

The Greenock Destitute Sick Society was founded in 1798 to provide assistance to widows and other women who had been abandoned and who lived in poverty within the rapidly developing township of Greenock. The local merchants of that time provided funds which purchased food and other essentials for these vulnerable families who lived in abject poverty.

The Greenock Medical Aid Society was inaugurated in 1876 to provide care for those who had fallen ill and could no longer be assisted by the Greenock Destitute Society In 1917, The Greenock Medical Aid Society joined with The Greenock Destitute Sick Society to be known as Greenock Medical Aid Society.

Over the years, the Society has evolved and developed its services to meet the needs of the people of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire in changing times.

Nowadays, the Society operates two care homes for older people with nursing support at Glenfield and at Bagatelle, both located in the west end of Greenock.

Admissions are accepted from anyone resident in the west of Scotland and from those who have a past or present connection with the area.

The Society has set as its main objective the provision of the highest standards of care and nursing support for those who live in Bagatelle and Glenfield.

Recent reports issued by the Care Inspectorate confirm that the Society’s prime objective of providing care of the highest quality is being achieved.

For further information and admission procedure, contact: Greenock Medical Aid Society, Admin office, 47 Eldon Street, Greenock PA16 7RA Tel: 01475 729424 Email: admin@gmas.org.uk Website: www.gmas.org.uk

Blanket Appeal!

In March 2016, at The Quilting Show in Glasgow, WMT is exhibiting ‘Comfort for Kindness’ - 40 quilts from the Canadian Red Cross Quilt Research Group collection, quilts made and then sent all the way from Canada for displaced people in the UK, during WWII: Alongside, it is our hope that the compassion and kindness shown by the women of Canada and their Canadian Red Cross Quilts will be echoed in this Scottish Blanket Appeal – and not just by women this time, by everyone.

We are asking crafters, groups, and individuals throughout Scotland and further afield, to donate handmade blankets that we will hand on to the Scottish Refugee Council – an independent Scottish charity which helps refugee families to meet the challenges of settling in Scotland.

As with the WWII Quilts, we will also attach a label to each blanket but with a swatch of tartan; to express the message of love, to celebrate our heritage and culture and to raise awareness for the Incorporation of Weavers of Glasgow and the Scottish Tartan Authority. We are very grateful that the swatches of tartan are being supplied to WMT by Houston’s of Paisley.

The blankets can be: quilted, fleece, woven, knitted, crocheted or sewn.......

Sizes can vary from infant shawls to children’s blankets and single bed covers, please.

We plan to gather so many blankets that we also have enough to be able to gift some to Mary’s Meals – a second Scottish charity - that provides food and education for children in the world’s poorest communities, and raises awareness of people’s plights.

We hope that you can help us.

Contact details: Weaving Musical Threads (WMT), Tel: 0141 882 4520 / 07990 981682 Email: info@weavingmusicalthreads.com www.weavingmusicalthreads.com

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Morrison’s Smooth Operators Back in November, four brave employees from Morrison’s Johnstone undertook a hair-raising challenge for St Vincent’s Hospice.

The four employees, Stephen Blane, David Jelphs, Chris Toogood, and David Kenny took to the waxing table and braved the clippers to raise just under £1,000 for local patient care. Long-haired Stephen agreed to have his locks sheared (but drew the line at allowing his beard to be shaved!), while the two Davids and Chris writhed in pain as their legs were waxed by Kat from ‘Be Gorgeous Hair ‘n’ Beauty’. Customers got involved too, with many donating £5 to wrench a strip of wax from the boys’ legs.

Chris Toogood

Stephen Blane pre-head shave

Stephen Blane post head shave

Audrey Cave, manager of ‘Be Gorgeous’, said, “As a new business, it was a privilege to get involved in this community event. My team thoroughly enjoyed the day, and we were delighted to help such a worthwhile local charity.”

Scones and Songs (Back row from left) Cheryl Mahoney, Audrey Cave, Chris Toogood, Stephen Blane, David Kenny, David Jephs.

(Front row from left) Katrina McLeod, Louise Strachan, Andrew Cassidy.

Julie Scott, Morrison’s Community Champion organised the event and said, “I always enjoy my community work with Morrison’s, and being able to support local charities and local businesses is a fantastic feeling.”

Langbank Parish Church are holding an evening of Scottish Songs, on Friday 5th February at 7pm in the Church. This evening will showcase Scottish music, and will include guest performers and audience singalong. A supper of both sweet and savoury scones, and other Scottish treats will be served after the concert.

Tickets, which includes your delicious supper, cost £5 adult £2 children, and are available from Church members.

Louise Strachan, Community Fundraiser at St Vincent’s said, ‘Julie and all the team at Morrisons Johnstone are great supporters of St Vincent’s Hospice, and teaming up with Be Gorgeous resulted in a fantastic event and wonderful fundraising result. Support like this from the community makes a huge impact on the lives of local patients living with life-limiting illnesses. I’d love to hear from anyone who would like to arrange a similar event for St Vincent’s Hospice – give me a call!”

Dinner & Dance Every Saturday night from 8pm - 11pm at Willow Bank Hotel, 96 Greenock Road, Largs. Booking essential.

Call 01475 675435 for further information.

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Thank you for making 2015 another successful year at LEAP. We’re delighted and proud to have helped our community throughout the year, with our Free Energy Saving Advice, LEAP Car Club, Bike Swaps, Big Energy Saving Week, E-bike hire, LEAP YEP! Workshops and Summer Space programmes for young people, Meddle and Make workshops, External Wall Insulation, Make It Happen energy measures and installations, and representing local rural needs through our work with Tackling Poverty in Renfrewshire and Energy Action Scotland. Thank you all for your support and to celebrate we’ve prepared a few of the highlights of 2015 in our Time-Line: Winter 2015

Spring 2015

January 2015 – LEAP launched it keep warm this winter programme with it thermal images service, helping residents identify where their homes were losing heat and providing advice on a range of home energy measures that would assist them.

March 15 – LEAP secured new funding from the Climate Challenge fund to launch the Calder and Gryffe community project and engage the new villages and residents from Kilbarchan, Houston, Crosslee and Brookfield in home energy, transport and fuel efficiency services.

February 15 – LEAP Futures Eco Film Clip competition for young people is announced and the winners share their experience with other junior climate challenge projects across Scotland.

Summer 2015 June 15 – Bike Swap in Lochwinnoch gets residents swapping and recycling children and adult bikes and LEAP E-bikers get off to a good start combining a cycle and train journey to get to work.

July 15 – YEP Summer programme begins with Young People with choices of workshops including Bike and Trailer Building, Animation, Clothing Re-design and Print and Tie-dying.

August 15 – LEAP Energy Advisor and local Bridge of Weir resident appear on the front cover of Energy Saving Scotland’s Energy Review to tell their story of the how the LEAP ‘make it happen’ service has helped vulnerable and often elderly residents combat rising fuel bills, by practical home energy improvement actions in their homes.

Winter 2015 December 15 – energy advisors prevent draughts in homes for vulnerable householders by installing loft insulation, and draught proofing measures in homes. ‘Make it Happen’ home energy measures continue to help those in need to make their homes cosier and warmer for winter.

April 15 – LEAP’s Youth Engagement Project, YEP! receives Climate Challenge funding to provide a series of hands-on green vocational workshops for young people to learn more about their environment and gain practical skills they can use to reduce their carbon emissions.

May 15 – LEAP Car Club launches the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid car in Kilbarchan and re-launches the Eat Lochwinnoch Organic Fruit and Vegetable Delivery Club.

Autumn 2015 September 15 – LEAP Meddle and Make workshops for adults had local people designing and screen printing bags, recycling and re-fashioning clothes, tie dying with onions, cabbage and wood, to create some of the most impressive and artistic individual creations ever made in one day.

October 15 – LEAP ‘s Big Energy Saving Week was sponsored by Home Energy Scotland and featured LEAP’s Green Homes Tours where local people got the opportunity to find out first-hand about other villagers home energy efficiency measures and renewables.

November 15 – LEAP Energy saving and car club films are launched at the Energy Savings Trust’s national conference in Peebles.

Do you want the skills to help save a life?

BHF February 2016 FREE - Lead by Lochwinnoch and Howwood Heart Start. We have more dates available for the FREE two hour course.

Wednesday 17th February from 7-9pm at the Bowfield Hotel, Howwood.

If you are interested in attending contact Morag on morag.Thow@gcu.ac.uk or 01505 843183.

The course is practical and deals with; • An unconscious casualty • Cardiac arrest • How to use a AED • Suspected heart attack

• Choking

• Serious bleeding

Dr Morag Thow

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Dental Blog

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner, Kilbarchan Dental Practice

Are you nervous about going to the dentist?

It is not at all uncommon to be nervous about a visit to the dentist – particularly if it has been some time since your last check up or you think treatment is required.

In extreme cases this can even prevent some people getting the treatment they need as they avoid seeing a dentist at all. To help nervous patients overcome their fears dentists have developed sedation techniques to help ease apprehension and make the experience entirely pain free using a combination of drugs that take away anxiety (anxiolytic) and take away pain (analgesic).

Some even cause you to forget about the treatment you have just had!

Intravenous conscious sedation delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream for an immediate and controllable effect. The patient will become drowsy, relaxed and unaware of any treatment whilst remaining conscious and able to communicate.

Don’t worry if you are afraid of needles as oral sedation (in liquid form) is one of the most popular methods now offered as an alternative to Inhalation sedation (gas and air) which is rare in general practice these days.

In order to help you sleep the night before any treatment you may also be prescribed an oral sedative (in pill form) to take at home.

Modern practices like ours offer both oral and intravenous sedation. Prior to any type of sedation we take a full health history and go over the procedure with you in full. You are closely monitored during and after the procedure.

If you would like to find out more about sedation and anxiety services offered by dentists don’t hesitate to visit us at the practice, call us on 01505 704969 or check out our website at kilbarchandental.co.uk

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February events Sun 31 January

Fri 5 February

Come And Sing Mozart

Kilbarchan Agricultural Show Whist Drive

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley 6.30pm

Rehearsal: 2.30pm Performance: 6.30pm (entry from 2pm) Singers: Adult £15, Students/school pupils £5 Audience: £5 at the door. Information for singers on how to apply, pay and hire scores etc.

Can be had at 0141 848 1392 or from proutley@ talktalk.net

Wed 3 February St Fillan’s Angel Voices

Greenock Town Hall, Cathcart Square, Greenock PA15 1LS 6.30pm

St Fillan’s Angel Voices Community Children’s Choir will be singing at the Inverclyde Music Festival. The Choir will be in the Mixed Choir Section as the children of Angel Voices attend five different schools in the area.

Thu 4 February Wedding Open Evening

Ingliston Country Club, Old Greenock Road, Bishopton 6pm to 9pm

Free admission with complimentary canapés and sparkling wine on arrival. Email general@ingliston. com or tel: 0845 301 1010 for further information.

Main advert on page 9 of this issue.

Fri 5 February RSPB Local Group

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 7.30pm

There will be an illustrated talk entitled The Sparrow (and the arrow), the ecology and conservation of swifts and house sparrows by Toby Wilson. All Welcome.

Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 7.30pm

Price £3 including refreshments. Contact Secretary, Aileen on 07766 221369. Everyone welcome.

Scones and Songs

Parish Church, Main Road, Langbank 7pm

This evening will showcase Scottish music, and will include guest performers and audience singalong. A supper of both sweet and savoury scones, and other Scottish treats will be served after the concert. Tickets, which includes your delicious supper, cost £5 adult £2 children, and are available from Church members.

Fri 5 - Sun 21 Feb Art in the Park

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 10am to 4pm

The Lochwinnoch Art Group return to Castle Semple to splash a little colour in the Centre’s Sempill Rooms. All works are for sale and use local areas and often natural themes as inspiration! For info call 01505 842 882 Ex 20

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Sat 6 February

Sat 13 February

LEAP’s Bike Swap

Valentine’s Bistro Evening

Dust off your bikes for the approach of spring and get cycling! If you have no bike to swap, come along at 1.30pm to see if we have one that suits you. For more information, please email susie@ myleapproject.org or check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject.org

Stunning 3 course Bistro Menu and a glass of fizz. £19.95pp BOOK NOW!

The Annexe, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 12noon

Tue 9 February The Annual Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning

West Church, Church Street, Kilbarchan 2.30pm

All organists and everyone interested in the organ are welcome to attend. This former church is no longer used for worship. Tom Ferguson, organist at Kilbarchan West from 1979 till 2015, will talk about and demonstrate the Hill organ (listed Grade 1).

Build a bird a home

Tickets £3 – lovely pancakes, home baking And various stalls.

Help us celebrate National Nest Box Week and give birds a home this Spring! Build and decorate your very own nest box to help provide a pair of love birds with a home in time for the breeding season. Who knows, if you put it up in your garden, you may even see some baby birds in a few months time... Please book a time slot (1st slot is at 11am & last is at 3pm). Cost: £10 (RSPB members £6) per box made.

Fri 12 February Advertizer Deadline

The Advertizer Office - Neva Place, Bridge of Weir

If you want something placed in the March issue of The Advertizer, please either send an email to info@advertizer.co.uk or call the office on 01505 613340. Don’t miss out!

Stargazing Evening

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen Road near Lochwinnoch 7pm to 9pm

Join the Rangers and staff from Coats Observatory Paisley for an evening of galactic exploration in Renfrewshire’s darkest sky. For more in call 01505 842 882 Ex 20

Fri 12 - Tue 16 Feb

Test our Binoculars & Telescope in the Field!

Wild Challenge: Be a bird!

Test our telescopes and binoculars under field conditions! Go for a guided walk with our knowledgable staff and try out a range of different optics out on the reserve! Enjoy the scenery and wildlife, whilst finding out what binoculars or telescope suits you best. Please book, as places are limited. Cost: £3 (refunded if you purchase a pair of binoculars, or a telescope, from the reserve shop on the day!)

Kilbarchan Hill Organ Open Day

St Fillans Church, Kilmacolm 10am to 12pm

Sat 6 February RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 2pm to 4pm

Bernie’s Cafe Deli, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir 6.30pm

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 10am-4pm Simply pop into the Visitor centre any time and the friendly staff will give you a map and get you started. (Allow approx 1hr for the challenge.)

Then visit different stations along our main trail to find out what it might be like to be a bird! When you have finished, come back to the centre to complete the challenge and tell us all about it!

Cost: £3 (RSPB members £1)

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 11am-4pm

Sun 14 February Habbie Tat

Performing Arts Centre, Steeple Square, Kilbarchan 1pm

Each month, there is a different batch of bric-abrac and collectables presented and there will be several new stallholders bringing along items for sale in February. Doors open at 1pm and all of the admission money collected (tickets are 50p) go to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Tue 16 February 6 Legal Must-do’s for older people

Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 7pm to 8.15pm A free 45 minute talk everyone over 50 should attend! Discussing Wills, Power of Attorney and Advance Directive. Please call Kingsley Wood & Company, Solicitors on 01505 874114 to book a place or for more information.

Thu 18 February Embroidery and Coiling with Jane Campbell-Smith Langbank Village Centre, Middlepenny Road, Langbank 7.30pm

We would like to invite anyone who is interested in this subject to come along, enjoy the demo and have a cup of tea, you will be more than welcome.

We look forward to seeing you.

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Fri 19 February Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Whist Drive

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm Tickets £3 includes light supper.

A Night With Musicality

Lochwinnoch Parish Church 7pm Lochwinnoch Arts Festival - Tickets £5 (con £3).

A very talented group of artists who have been great supporters of our Arts Festival.

Sat 20 February Call To Yarns!

february 2016

Sat 20 February

Sun 21 February

Swan Chat

Wetland guided walk

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 2pm to 3pm

There’s more to our swans than eating bread and chips by the lochshore. 01505 842 882 Ex 20

Wildlife Explorers: Colourful Nature!

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 10am to 12noon

Please wear suitable clothing for being outdoors.

Ages: 5 to 14 years. Please note that all children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential. Cost: £5 (£3 RSPB members)(adults go free)

Sun 21 February

Paisley Abbey, Abbey close, Paisley 11am to 1pm

Scotlands Gardens Scheme Ardgowan Open Garden

Everyone is welcome to our Call to Yarns! – The Renfrewshire Tapestry project launch Andrew Crummy will be introducing the project, as well as leading a workshop. Further details or any questions – call: 07702 961301

Enjoy woodland walks carpeted with masses of snowdrops in a lovely setting overlooking the River Clyde. Admission is £2 and beneficiaries are Greenock Medical Aid Society and SG charities.

Ardgowan Estate, Inverkip 2pm to 5pm

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 12-2pm If you have interest in wildlife, or would like to hone your birdwatching skills, then this is the walk for you! Stout footwear and clothing suitable. Please book, as places are limited. Cost: Adults: £5; Children: £3 (RSPB members: £3/£2)

Wed 24 February Tartan Walk

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 11am

The Renfrewshire Walking Network will again be out in force donning their tartan for a leisurely stroll and homage to Scottish folk tunes. Form more info call 01505 842 882 Ex 20

Evening Talk

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 7.30pm to 9pm A Naturalist’s view of the Canadian Arctic – bears, birds and other beasts of the Yukon by Prof Paul Tatner. Please book as places are limited.

Cost: Adults: £5; Children: £3 (RSPB members: £3/£2)

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Sun 28 February Mother’s Day Gift and Craft Fair Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 1pm to 4pm

Stalls to make your Mother’s Day (Sunday 6th March) special from local artists, beaded and silver jewellery, pottery, make-up, cushions, cakes, candles, homebaking, confectionary and much more. Entry includes Tea and Coffee: Adults £1.50 Children 50pence.

Beginners Spoon Carving Workshop

The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees Bridge, Greenock 10am to 3.30pm

A very rewarding skill to master, come away with a hobby and product at the end of the day! Cost: £25. Must be 16 or over to take part for more info call 01475 521 458 booking essential.

Quarriers Ladies Lunch

The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow 12.30pm - 4pm Get the girls together for a fun day out and raise much needed funds for Quarriers at the same time! Great food, shopping, goody bags, guest speaker and live music from the fantastic Paulo Martini. It really is an event not to be missed. Call 01505 616054 for tickets (£40 each).

Fri 4 March World Day of Prayer

St Columba Church Hall. Kilmacolm 1.30pm The children from St Columba’s Junior School will be able to join us with their singing and music. Refreshments after the Service. Everyone welcome! Call Maureen Russell Convenor (telephone 872905) for further details.

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PHOTOGRAPHY HINTS & TIPS

With The Studio Bridge Of Weir

Gryffe Camera Club Our Last Competition in 2015 was our league competition judged by Members.

ISO The ISO – often referred to as film speed, is a measure of how sensitive your film or chip is. The higher the ISO the less light you need to expose the image.

With a Digital camera you have the ability to vary the ISO from shot to shot without having to change films. ISO – can range from 100 to 36,000.

As you increase your ISO your images become more grainy as noise is introduced into the image. Turning up the ISO on a digital camera is similar to turning up the volume on a sound system amplifier, the higher you go the more distortion of the signal you get.

In your camera this shows itself as grainy images and odd colours in the shadow areas.

At the extreme end the images are almost unusable.

When to change ISO? If the subject is well lit or you are using a tripod and you are not concerned about shutter speed then choose the lowest ISO setting possible.

If the subject is dimly lit or you are trying to achieve a faster shutter speed to capture some action then increase your ISO. You can leave your camera in AUTO ISO and it will choose the ISO for you, but you may get noisy pictures when you could have avoided them.

The winners were Rick Bolton (A Prints), Malcolm Martin (B Prints), Rick Bolton (Mono Prints), Roger Calvert (A Digital) with Callejo H a r b o u r Lights and Malcolm Martin (B Digital) with Crested Tit.

George Kennedy - Style and Speed

Our first evening in 2016 was our league competition judged by Angus Campbell.

The winners were Rick Bolton (A Prints), Malcolm Martin (B Prints), Rick Bolton (Mono Prints), George Kennedy (A Digital) with Style and Speed and Joe Gillick (B Digital) with Mum Me.

Typically you need to use higher ISO when indoors, at concerts, if you are trying to capture some atmosphere etc. Also there are some churches and galleries where flash is not allowed so high ISO becomes essential.

Every Month The STUDIO – Bridge of Weir (07904 419578) will bring you hints and tips to improve your photography - regardless of what kind of camera you have.

More detail on each tip can be found on the Advertizer web page http://www.advertizer.co.uk/blog

Joe Gillick - Mum Me

Duncan McEwan Showed us “The Games”, his photographic skills used during the Commonwealth Games.

We have various competitions with other clubs during the coming weeks through February.

Anyone interested can come along on Wednesday Club nights. Joining is now half price for the rest of the session before the end of May.

Wedding Fayre Sunday 28 February from 1pm - 5pm at Paisley Town Hall, Paisley. Call 0141 258 3380 for further information. FREE Entry

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Paisley Colour Photographic Club Borbasket Trophy 2015/16 Last month at the McMaster Centre in Renfrew, Paisley Colour Photographic Club’s annual competition for the Borbasket Memorial Trophy was held.

For this competition entry consisted of three images judged as a set with the first image in each set either a table-top, a portrait or a still life photograph.

Judging the competition were the last year’s winner of the trophy, Duncan McEwan and the winner of last season’s Henderson Trophy, Richard Bennett and they had the difficult task of having to rank the top three sets in a high quality and varied entry.

In turn the judges gave a detailed critique of each image making encouraging comments and also making suggestions as to how an image could be improved either at the time of taking the image or at the processing stage.

This year the award for the top set of images by a non-advanced member was made to Ken Dow for his set including close-up butterfly image “Meadow Brown”.

For the main trophy, Duncan and Richard judged Mike Cruise’s set of images in third place. This set included “The Look”, “Boys and Their Toys” and “Morning Mist”.

Bill McCance’s set of three beautiful studio portraits was awarded second place and this set included images “Reverie”, “Coy” and “Solo”.

The Borbasket Trophy for this year was awarded to a new member of the club Ken McArthur for his impressive set including “After Crita”, “Hands Touchin’ Hands” and the atmospheric and superbly composed image “Motorway”.

Langbank Camera Club January’s print competition was “Waterscapes”. There were many entries of excellent and beautiful waterscapes.

First place was awarded to Alf Todd for his early morning shot of the Zambezi River, above the Victoria Falls. Second place was awarded to Derrick McPherson for his image taken at the lagoon in Venice, looking towards the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Third place was awarded to Deborah Galloway for her striking image of Rathmullan Beach, County Donegal.

This month’s lecture focused on the use of the camera’s aperture setting to demonstrate the difference and impact it can have on a photograph.

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

The term used to describe this effect is called depth of field (DoF) which describes the degree of sharpness (focus) of the foreground and background in relation to main subject when it is in focus. Confused? Then come along to our meetings to find out more and potentially realise that inner photographer waiting to get out and about.

Our PDI (digital meetings) which are held on the fourth Monday of the month (last meeting will be held in April) provides a different forum for our members where we showcase images on the big screen. We also provide many hints and tips on photo editing and things associated with digital photography.

The February meeting will be held as usual on the second Monday of the month, 8th February at 7.30pm. The next PDI meeting will be held on 22nd February at 7.30pm. The print competition topic for February is “Glasgow”.

Club meetings are held in Langbank Church Halls, Langbank. Visitors are always welcome at any of our evenings.

Membership of the club is only £10 for the first year. If you wish to find out more about Langbank Camera Club please visit our website: www.langbankcameraclub. weebly.com or contact Derrick McPherson at langbankcc1@gmail.com with your enquiries.

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9 to 5 The Musical The Lyric Club presents 9 to 5 The Musical in The King’s Theatre, Glasgow from Tues 8th March to Sat 12th March. The musical is based on the 1980 film starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton. The book is by Patricia Resnick who wrote the film screenplay and music and lyrics are by Dolly Parton. This is a story of 3 girls in a 70s office and how they plan to get the better of their sexist boss. It’s fun, got some fab music, is a real feel good musical and is a little bit naughty in places!

Maureen Todd from Kilmacolm is delighted to be playing Violet Newstead, the Lily Tomlin role, in this production and will be running a bus from Kilmacolm/Bridge of Weir to the Thursday evening performance (10th March) and the cost is £23 for the ticket and the bus. Times and prices for other performances are above.

We will be supporting MND Scotland as our nominated charity this year and they will benefit from each performance. So, if you fancy a fun, laughter filled girls or work night out or just a night out with your other half, please get in touch.

Although the show is in March, tickets are selling fast already and the bus is filling up so let Maureen know if you’d like to come along to any performance on 07789 077749 or 872094.

Winter Concert Series Houston Old School Trust (HOST) is holding a series of classical music concerts in the Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston this coming winter (2016/17).

As a preview to this we are holding a concert on Saturday 19th March with a performance by the Barochan Quartet. This is a string quartet of local talent, all professional musicians, and members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Ticket prices are £12 with concessions for children and students £5. Option is also available to have a 2/3 course meal (table service) before the concert in our cafe. Two courses + coffee £15. Third course available at extra cost (bring your own booze). We are also looking to enlist support from a working committee to help organise/promote suture concerts.

To request tickets or register your interest in helping out, please call the Carrick Centre on 01505 229597 or email thecarrickcentre@gmail.com

LEAP - Children’s Shoe Collection Are your children growing fast and leaving half worn shoes behind them? Fed up of sending perfectly good shoes to landfill?

LEAP, along with several local primary schools and nurseries, will be organising a collection of children’s footwear (including sports shoes) from 22nd-26th February. Some schools will be holding a shoe swap or sale event at the end of the collection week - look out for flyers in your child’s school bag for more details. Surplus sports shoes will be donated to Linwood’s Kit & Caboodle, while other shoes will be passed on to the children’s shoe charity Sal’s Shoes, who will re-home them where they are needed most.

For more information about your nearest collection point, or if you would like to get involved, please email susie@myleapproject.org or check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject.org

Wedding Band Showcase Thursday 4 February from 6.30pm - 10.30pm at The Glynhill Hotel & Leisure Club, Renfrew - This is a free event Looking for the perfect evening entertainment for your wedding? Join us for a relaxed evening listening to five fantastic wedding bands all performing live, along with other great wedding suppliers. Call 0141 258 3380.

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Reliable Service Meets Reliable Flooring Getting your floor refitted can be a stressful time, especially if you are not in the right hands, be it for your home or place of business.

Whether your old floor is water damaged, fitted badly or simply needing a breath of fresh air, we understand that the process should be as smooth as possible for you. That is why Orchard Flooring’s professional fitting services have been recommended by customers for busy homes and businesses in the Gryffe area for many years.

When it comes to Karndean and Amtico, laying the sub floor correctly is crucial to ensuring a successful refit and here at Orchard Flooring we always say that preparation is paramount.

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Orchard Flooring have over 15 years’ experience in fitting Karndean and offer a reliable and efficient service. We make sure that the very best materials are used and that the relevant time and expertise are applied to your floor.

We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and clear communications. We want to walk out that door knowing that, not only do you have a floor that looks and feels spectacular, but that will continue to do so for many years to come. With a home sampling service, why not give us a call and be on your way to a stunning floor from Orchard Flooring? You can contact Scott on 01505 229584 or 07563 633432 E: sjmproducts@hotmail.com web- www.orchard-flooring.com

Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 will be here soon, from 29 February - 13 March.

This year’s theme is Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers! As Martin Luther King said, ‘before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’. This recognises the variety of farmers in many countries who provide the foods that we consume for our breakfasts; tea, coffee, cereals, fruits and so on.

So, during Fairtrade fortnight, local Fairtrade groups are encouraging everybody to have a Fairtrade breakfast, choose Fairtrade products and think about the support this gives to farmers around the world who need help to improve their lives and communities. We also remind people that choosing Fairtrade products all year round is the way to help in the long term.

The Fairtrade principle is simple: when people are paid a fairer price for their goods they can have more control over their lives. Whether it’s the extra cash in their pockets, being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, or to invest in community facilities like health and education, it gives them help to a better life.

The week or so before Fairtrade fortnight, two rice farmers from Myanmar (formerly Burma) are visiting Renfrewshire. They are part of the first ever Fairtrade food export operation from that newly democratised country.

There will be a range of visits to schools and public venues soon to be announced.

A chance to find out how your Fair Trade choices help in very poor countries.

Fairtrade Renfrewshire needs help! There are Fairtrade campaign groups active in Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir, Lochwinnoch, Houston, Bishopton. They all need some extra support from committed Fairtrade people to keep the Renfrewshire Fairtrade movement going.

Anyone interested should contact their local group (you can get contact details from the Rainbow Turtle office or shop in Paisley (0141 887 1881). Rainbow Turtle also needs volunteers to help in its shop and warehouse so, to anyone with a bit of time to help we say, get in touch, get involved.

We can finish by saying that Renfrewshire Council gives welcome support to the Fair Trade local groups.

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the How You Gonna Live Your Dash This shattering piece explores the life-altering decisions we make in order to get the most out of our time on earth: giving up a high-flying career, confronting an addiction, dropping it all and moving to a new continent.

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every Monday

2nd Thursday monthly

Lochwinnoch Community Walk

Solas Bereavement Support Group

The Cross, Lochwinnoch 10.30am

The group meets in the Kidston Hall. 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

This event will not take place on public holidays.

every Tuesday Bishopton Belles Line Dancing Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hall 6.30 - 8.30pm

3rd Friday monthly Hearing Aid Clinic The Bridge, Bridge of Weir 1-2pm

Personnel are at The Bridge for the issue of hearing aid batteries and hearing aid checks.

Wednesday 3 February - 7.30pm - £8 to £10

Beginner/Improver class. All welcome. Call David or Mair 07886 034037.

Guide Gods

every Wednesday

‘Brunch & Browse’

Knitting Group

St Fillan’s Hall, Kilmacolm 10am-2pm

Using dance, live music, humour and interviews with religious leaders, academics and deaf and disabled people, acclaimed performer Claire Cunningham goes on a perilous quest to explore how the major world faiths view deafness and disability in this witty and illuminating new show.

Thursday 4 February - 2.30pm & 7.30pm - £8 to £10

Mum’s the Word 2 One of the Scotland’s favourites “Mum’s The Word” laughs at the wonderful comedic horrors of child and teenager-rearing in this new and updated version of the hit show. Both funny and emotional by turn, this is a wonderful evening out.

Friday 12 - Sat 13 February - 7.30pm Fri; 2.30pm & 7.30pm Sat - £18.50 to £20.00

The Nutcracker An essential part of wintertime, a wonderful escape for children and ballet lovers of all ages into magical world of snow, sweets and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Sunday 14 February - 7.30pm - £12 to £16

Francie & Josie A fantastic evening of Scottish entertainment, with special guests and a tribute to the Kings of Scottish Comedy – ‘Francie & Josie’.

A show for the whole family, featuring original routines and songs, this trip down memory lane will have you laughing out loud.

Thursday 18 February - 2.30pm & 7.30pm - £14.50 to £16.50

SCOCHA Scocha are undoubtedly one of the most entertaining live acts on the music circuit. The band’s unique blend of largely recognisable Scottish “folk ‘n roll” coupled with audience banter ensure a SCOCHA gig is never a dull affair.

Saturday 20 February - 7.15pm - £15

A Night of Musicals - Kieran Begley & Friends Come along and support Kieran in his fundraising event, an exciting evening shared with special guests, children’s choir, his friends from Greenock Light Opera Club, Sideline Productions and Ayrshire Opera Experience.

Sunday 21 February - 7.30pm - £8 to £10

30:60:80 A celebration of three lives, spanning fifty years with the women of one family and inviting audiences to consider the richness in their own maternal her story.

When Amy’s grandma turned 30, she had three children and was thankful to finally live in a house with an indoor toilet. When Amy’s mum turned 30, she had a profession, a mortgage and was pregnant with her first child.

Friday 26 February - 7.30pm - £8 to £10 BEACON ARTS CENTRE, CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY, GREENOCK, PA15 1HJ INFO@BEACONARTSCENTRE.CO.UK TELEPHONE: 01475 723723

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Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon

Knitters of all levels welcome!

Skinny Minnies Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm-8pm

For a healthier, slimmer, more energetic you!

every Thursday Weekly Volunteer Group

2nd Saturday monthly Home made soups, home baking, tea, coffee, books & lots of stalls. Great value! Disabled access. £4.

last Saturday monthly Table Top Sale Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Ave 11am1pm

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 3.30pm

This is a free event. Call 01505 328802 for details.

Conser vation Volunteers - adult group.

Newcomers always welcome.

1st Sunday monthly

every Saturday

Messy Church

Weekly Volunteer Group

Free entry for all ages. Meal included. Just turn up. Tel: Catherine 07980 649377.

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm

Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir 4pm-6pm

Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers always welcome.

every Sunday Weekly Volunteer Group Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon

Youth volunteer Group - age 12 - 18 years.

Newcomers always welcome.

1st & 3rd Thurs monthly

1st Saturday

‘Outlook’

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm 2pm-4pm

Social activities group for the community in Kilmacolm. Guest speakers, afternoon tea, local issues of interest. Everyone welcome.

Crafty Hobbies Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 7.30pm

10am-2pm (“The Square”)

1st & 3rd Sunday Loch Lomond Shores

10am-3pm Tel: 07977 179 861

No previous craft experience necessary. Call Lorna on 01505 612844 for further details.

2nd Thur & last Sat

2nd Wednesday monthly

Paisley Cross

Inverclyde Carers Outreach Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 11am-2pm

3rd Saturday

Email enquiries@inverclydecarerscentre.org.uk or call: 01475 735180.

Erskine Garden Centre

10am-2pm Tel: 01655 770217

10am - 2pm Tel: 0141 814 4626

A Night With Musicality (Glasgow Theatre Guild) Lochwinnoch Arts Festival early event 2016 Friday 19th February in the Parish Church doors open 7pm Tickets £5 (con £3).

A number of the village went to see the Glasgow Theatre Guilds excellent production of Sweet Charity in Eastwood theatre in 2015. Their cast will be performing a selection of songs from film and theatre for us again. A very talented group of artists who have been great supporters of our Arts Festival.

Tickets £5 (con £3) in Now and then, Cucina Minucci at the Junction café and Calder Gallery and framing. DON’T MISS IT!!

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Jillian’s Cambodia Update I have been in Cambodia for 5 months now and every day I live here I am amazed by the country in a different way…be it beauty, culture or the crazy driving!

We have had the most amazing festive season here. We started December with a bang and ran the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon race. We underestimated how big an event this was as in our race there were over 1000 people! (Our race was one of 6).

Although it was nearing 30 degrees by the end of the run, the experience was one of a kind. Being able to run through the temples was breath-taking and distracted us from the aching legs and struggle for breath.

We celebrated Christmas by holding a massive party for the children from the village and at our project adding to a total tally of 500 kids throughout the day. The party was a huge success and included tug of war, musical statues, a talent competition and gift giving with a show of Santa at the end wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I’ve never seen smiles so wide! With a 7.30am start and an 8pm finish the day flew by and was one that I’ll never forget.

There is never a boring day at the project and we welcome the New Year and all the adventures it has to bring.

So far we have attended two weddings and a festival celebrating the one year anniversary of a death. We have really settled here in Cambodia and made our self a home and many new friends.

Best wishes for the New Year to everyone at home. Jillian

Gryffe Valley Rotary - Burns Beats Blizzards!

Despite blizzard conditions throughout the day, some 160 hardy souls battled through the snow to attend the annual Gryffe Valley Rotary Burns Supper at the River Inn. Unfortunately, amongst those unable to get there was renowned Burns speaker Jack Glennie who was scheduled to deliver the Immortal Memory. Incredibly, and with only 3 hours notice, the Rev Donald Campbell of Houston’s Killellan Kirk agreed to step in to fill the breach – barely time to get changed!

No sooner had Rotarian Ronald Aitchison given a large haggis a typically robust working over as he addressed it, than Donald was up on his feet to deliver an array of amusing

anecdotes on Scots society with informed insights into the life and works of Robert Burns – a truly first class example of the Immortal Memory genre.

Luckily there is no truth in the rumour that Rotarian Adam McCartney will reciprocate by delivering a sermon at the Kirk!

Many people think that Jim Ferguson is Tam O’Shanter, and once again he held the audience in the palm of his hand with his rendition of Burns’ epic poem. Not only that, but he went on later to lead the gathering in rumbustuous community choruses of some well known Burns’ songs. This supplemented the rather more sophisticated and tuneful solos over the evening from Jan Cranston, accompanied by Helen Mills.

The Toast To and the Response From the Lassies are always highlights of a Burns Supper, and Gryffe Valley Rotary was fortunate to have Graham Hill and Helen McLaughlan to perform these roles. Graham, who braved the snow although just back from Australia, used some hilarious tales from the school playground to illustrate some of Burns’ references to ladies and their relationships. His closing section on the kilt was delivered in humorous verse.

Helen, the first lady President of the Paisley Callants Rotary club, gave as good as she got with some scurrilous tales to back up her premise that Burns would have said that “it is good to laugh”. Her closing section was also in verse, this time on a somewhat windy topic!

Past President Alan Bowie, appropriately garbed in the kilt, rounded off the evening by thanking all those who had contributed to a great event. There was of course an ulterior motive for it all - beyond that of having a really good time!

The Burns Supper is an important fundraiser for Gryffe Valley in support of its local good causes, especially this year’s major project to help develop a toy and therapeutic resource lending library based at Corseford School – this will be accessed by all children who attend specialist schools in the area, giving the opportunity of making a significant difference to their wellbeing, experience, play and development.

With generous prizes from many, including corporate members the Malcolm Group and from Jason Andrews for the River Inn and the Fox and Hounds, the charity raffle helped boost the contribution from the event towards £3000 – a great testament to the hard work of President David Fairbairn, and convenor Angus Matheson with his team of organisers.

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Newspapers Wanted

Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue is situated near Beith in North Ayrshire. It occupies a 20 acre site, including woodland, marsh and open water. This gives a variety of release sites for our patients. We aim to rescue, treat, rehabilitate and release birds and animals back to the wild, and we have the facilities and experience to treat all species of Scottish wildlife.

Resources at the Centre include an intensive care unit, a swan/seal hospital with indoor pool, a hedgehog unit, a surgery and more than 60 outdoor aviaries, enclosures and release pens. The centre has a 24hr emergency service, and is available to give advice on wildlife problems throughout the day.

Why not join us?!

Support Hessilhead by becoming a member and get 2 newsletters a year. Ordinary membership: £12 a year.

Family membership: £16 a year.

Sponsor A Patient Hessilhead is an independent charity. Funds are raised through the Membership and Sponsor-a-Patient schemes and through fundraising events.

Sponsoring a patient is a good way to help an individual

casualty. Receive a photo and reports on the patient’s progress. Sponsorship packages can also be sent with a card as a present for Christmas, Birthdays etc. Trust newsletters included. Cost: £25

What can I sponsor?

Choose from the following, which sadly, are all too common patients at the Trust:- Kestrel; Swan; Otter; Rabbit; Deer; Badger; Duckling; Fox; Owl; Hedgehog; Buzzard; Seal. Please give a second choice of casualty, and remember that some, such as ducklings, are in care only at certain seasons. You are welcome to email us at info@hessilhead.org.uk first to check the availability of your preferred species.

Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue has facilities and experience to treat all species of Scottish wildlife.

Facilities at the Centre include an intensive care unit, a swan/ seal hospital with indoor pool, a hedgehog unit, a surgery with x-ray equipment and more than 60 outdoor aviaries, enclosures and release pens.

How do I pay?

You can make a payment to sponsor a patient - see our website for details. We have offered as many choices as possible, and have listed the pros and cons for us associated with each method. Please read our important notes beside each option. If you have any questions about any of the below please email us at info@hessilhead.org.uk.

Visit our website for further information on how to help us - http://www.hessilhead.org.uk/

Pet Blog

by PetVets

Let’s Talk About Eyes….

Vision is very important to our pets and each species sees the world in a slightly different way.

Dogs are very good at seeing moving objects but may struggle more with small, inanimate objects at a distance.

This is why your dog can easily catch a flying Frisbee or ball but may struggle to find the toy once it has landed, despite it being obvious to you! They also see fewer colours than we do.

Cats can see very well in low light conditions, with good vision in just an eighth of the light that a human would need. This is due to their vertical pupils allowing them to stretch their pupil wide to let in as much light as possible and a reflective layer at the back of the eye that bounces light back through the eye. This reflective layer is the reason your cats eyes glow in the dark.

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With so many hedgehogs in care, and other patients, our newspaper stock is running low.

We’d be grateful if you could start saving them up and drop them off at the centre.

Contact us on 01505 502415 or Email: info@hessilhead.org.uk Website: www.hessilhead.org.uk

Rabbits have a larger field of vision than humans, cats or dogs. With just a slight turn of their head rabbits can see 360 degrees! They are good at seeing moving objects even in the far distance. This allows them to spot predators approaching. However their near site is not as good and they have a blind spot directly in front of their face, so can find it difficult to locate treats which are literally right under their nose!

To protect their vision it is important to check your pet’s eyes regularly and if you spot any changes such as redness, excessive tears, discharge or signs of pain take them for a check with your vet.

Common eye problems include: • Conjunctivitis • Entropian • Eyelash disorders • Cherry eye • Dry eye • Corneal ulcers • Glaucoma All these condition are treatable especially if diagnosed early, so if you have any concerns contact your vet.

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Re-homing Pets Can you offer a home to any of our featured pets?

Goldie - 2 year old female short hair tortoiseshell Goldie would need access to a garden. She would be best suited to a home with no or older kids and no other cats. It is unknown whether she would like to live with dogs. She has been waiting a long time here at the centre for that special someone, is that you?

Tommy - 3 year old male short hair domestic cat Tommy (Tom for short), arrived at the centre as his owner became ill and could no longer look after him.

He is a wee shy guy at the centre and needs time to settle into a new home. He is an indoor cat only and can be homed with other cats and dogs, but older children as he is timid.

Cardyke Farm, Langmuirhead Road, Auchinloch, Glasgow G66 5LD - Telephone 0141 779 3341 Randall - Male Rabbit - age unknown Randall is a lovely wee chap that came here through no fault of his own as a stray and is now looking for his forever home. This handsome man is very bright and is litter trained. He would be suited to a home with someone with previous rabbit experience as he can be slightly territorial over his enclosure. When he is out and about exploring he is a very sweet boy who loves his cuddles. He loves nothing more than running about like crazy and tucking into some fruit and veg.

Oscar - Male Rat - Age unknown Oscar is a handsome male rat who came into our care as his owner could no longer look after him. He is a bit nervous around people but is starting to come around and become more curious with us. He is slightly overweight and is looking for a home where he can run around and explore, with lots of tunnels and toys to keep him active. Oscar will make a great companion for someone who can give him the love and affection he deserves.

To contact the centre about any animals, please call 03000 999 999 or visit www.scottishspca.org/rehoming

LOST PETS If your pet has gone missing and 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 is no charge for this service!

Lost Cat ÂŁ200 reward ÂŁ200 reward for information leading to the recovery of Carmela an 11 year old Burmese cat missing since 27th October from Churchill Road Kilmacolm.

Buster - 11 year old male crossbreed Buster still loves to go for walks and runs in the car! His favourite treat is a dentastick! Buster can live with children who are 16 years old or over and needs his own secure garden to have a potter about in. Buster needs a calm, quiet home with few visitors to retire too. Someone who has owned rescue dogs previously would benefit him and help him settle. He needs a home who are around for most of the day and who are willing to give him the time and space he needs to come out of his shell. Buster must be kept on lead when out on walks.

Molly - 2-5 year old female Terrier Molly loves to run around playing games with her ball and soft toys.

Molly can live with children who are 16 years old or over and needs to be the only dog in the home. She needs her own secure garden to practice her training in. Molly is not a lap dog and needs a home who has previous experience of owning terrier types to give her the time and space she needs to come out of her shell. A home with calm, quiet areas for walking would also benefit her.

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, 315 Hamilton Road, Uddingston, Glasgow, G71 7SL. Open: 12noon - 4pm (inc weekends); 12noon- 7.30pm on Tuesdays; closed: Wednesdays

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Johnstone Cat Rescue

She is a small, friendly brown cat and much loved companion for her owner.

Anyone with any information, PLEASE phone 01505 874806

If you can help us with any fundraising or donations of either food or bedding, please call Sheena on 01505 337321.

Thank you in anticipation.

Rescue Centres Dogs Trust Glasgow: 0141-773-5130 - www.dogstrust.org.uk Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue: 01505-502415 - www.hessilhead.org.uk Johnstone Cat Rescue: 01505 337321 Cat Protection: 0141-779-3341 -www.cats.org.uk/glasgowac/adopt-a-cat Scottish SPCA: 0141-882-1688 - www.scottishspca.org These centres are always on the lookout for donations and fundraising.

If you can help, please get in touch with any of the centres above.

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk

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with Colin Fyfe of Colcom

february 2016

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Financial Blog

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd

Office 365 has featured heavily at work recently.

I feel that people’s resolve is slowly weakening to the prospect of paying an annual fee for the use of the program.

When Microsoft started selling its unrivalled office application suite on a buy as you go basis a couple of years ago uptake was slow but with the amount of subscription based purchases we encounter these days it seems that we are getting used to the idea.

I must say that I am quite impressed by the product too, 365 now uses the Office 16 version of the software, which is very good so far. For businesses, the professional version charged at £7 a user per month is very powerful, with cloud sharing at its heart.

For anyone looking for another option, available free is Libre Office, available at www.ninite.com. This too is powerful and almost fully compatible with Microsoft’s offering.

Having made an easy mistake last year to trial Amazon’s Prime membership, my trial slipped over into the following month which prompted a phone call from Amazon to ask if I was sure I wanted to pay for a full year. No, sorry that’s what might have happened if they were not a highly tuned profit making machine, I was charged the year the second my eye was off the ball. Anyway, a year passed where I felt damned if I wasn’t going to get value for my misplaced money so I used their services, TV offerings, music on my mobile and the free postage on selected products. I enjoyed using the services so much that this time I have intentionally allowed my subscription renewal. Another cog in the machine.

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State support for Mortgage Interest to be reduced The government will pay your mortgage interest costs if you are ill or unemployed (called Support for Mortgage Interest or SMI). This is a means tested benefit and is paid after 13 weeks, if you meet the criteria and this is paid without time limit (with a few exceptions).

However, this will change in April 2016 when new rules come into force. The initial waiting period will rise from 13 weeks to 39 weeks. So, you will have to fund your mortgage for almost 10 months before the Government will step in to help.

Currently SMI payments are non-refundable, but this will change in April 2018 and the support payments from the Government will become loans – you will have to pay back the money you receive with interest when you return to work or sell your home.

So what should you do?

Initially, you should try to build up cash savings to provide the money you will need to pay your mortgage interest and other bills should you become ill of lose your job. So, regular saving is a good first step.

Try to secure a line of credit that you can call upon if needed. Having suitable insurance is essential to cover you against death, illness or unemployment (not all payment protection insurance plans are poor value) so that you don’t end up losing your home.

The changes are likely to affect young people with big mortgages most, as they may have borrowed heavily to get on the property ladder. Don’t rely on the Government - make sure you have your own safety net.

Call 0871 702 9490 for a FREE financial review or pop into the Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www.affluentfp.co.uk

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Diaporama

e: info@advertizer.co.uk BIKE SWAP - Saturday 6 February 2016

We started 2016 with sequences from Adrian, Ronnie and Sue. Ronnie decided to go first with his AVs. He started with ‘Drivin’ Sister’ - an action packed combination of film and images and put to music by Mott the Hoople.

We then visited the 2008 Glasgow ‘River Festival’ on the river Clyde. ‘Skye Fall’ was a look at autumn with all its fantastic colours on the Isle of Skye.

For the next two sequences Ronnie had chosen the music then put the images to compliment the music - ‘Ghost Town’ was a look at a housing estate in Faifley and ‘GO! - East/West’ contrasted the east and west of the world. He finished with ‘The Future?’ where he had taken some images with his phone and it had made the sequences! We decided as a group we liked to be ‘in control’ and do it ourselves.

Dust off your bikes for the approach of spring and get cycling! Bike the wrong size? Swap it for another.

Unused bike lurking at the back of the garage? Donate it, so another can use it. No bike to swap? Come along to see if we have one that suits you.

Bikes can be dropped off at 12 noon on Saturday 6th February at The Annexe, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch, with the Bike Swap starting at 12.30. If you have no bike to swap, come along at 1.30pm to see if we have one that suits you.

For more information, please email susie@ myleapproject.org or check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject. org.

LEAP Year Pledges

Flat mountain - Ronnie

River Festival - Ronnie

Statue - Ronnie

Flowers - Tromso Botanic - Adrian /Sue

At LEAP we’re always looking for feedback from local people and villages about the actions and changes they are making to reduce their energy use in their daily lives and therefore their carbon footprint. For some people it’s about changing 6 of their bulbs to LED, cycling to work 2 days a week rather than driving, switching off their games consoles instead of leaving them on stand-by, turning the heat thermostat down one notch, car sharing to get to a local club in the evening, insulating lofts to save heat escaping, joining a car club to reduce carbon emissions, growing vegetables, recycling clothes and furniture, swapping bicycles…. This February to celebrate the LEAP year, and to help you re-energise those new year’s resolutions which have maybe slipped away in January we’d like people across our villages to let LEAP know about YOUR actions All you have to do is simply choose an action that suits you and tell others about your pledge. To help you decide what types of action people have already taken and the environmental impact of this measure, we’ll be dedicating a page on the LEAP website with this information. We’ll also showcase some of the actions people are taking as individuals, as families, as groups, as charities, as businesses and as villages. All we ask is that you make a pledge in February and March and let LEAP and other people know about it! For more details visit www. myleapproject.org email lesley@myleapproject.org or call 01505 842 530.

Yep!

Houses at Nanortalik - Adrian/Sue

Ice berg - Greenland Adrian/Sue

After the tea break Adrian and Sue showed ‘Erskine Garden’ - a tribute to WW1 gardeners. This had been improved following comments received at Scotland’s Audio-visual day. They then did a series of AVs under the collective title of ‘An Arctic Odyssey’. This began with a short introduction to the places they had visited in the Arctic. At ‘Tromso’ (Norway) there was a quick look round the town followed by an in-depth look at the world’s most northerly botanic garden. We then travelled to Greenland to see ‘Nanortalik’ -a coastal settlement with typical houses, a superb museum and beautiful scenery. They finished with a bit of fun - ‘G&T’ (Gin & Tonic) with a visit up close to the ice bergs floating in the harbour and sea (and around the ship!!). It was a fun evening & a nice way to start the New Year.

This month it is Hugh and Gerry’s night on Monday 8th February, 7.30pm at the Carrick Centre, Houston. Everyone welcome.

LEAP’s Youth Engagement Programme rounded off 2015 with a visit to the Galgael boat building project in Govan and the placing of the all important ‘Whiskey Plank’ in their own boat, in the Yep! Boat Hut at Lochbarr Services. The usual glass of our national drink - normally tippled on this occasion - was of course replaced with mugs of hot black current juice to help the boat builders to fend off the cold! Boat building will continue to be part of the workshop programme this year.

Free Workshops for 2016 If you haven’t already joined in at the workshops but want to start now, YEP! will be running the following free workshops until March: Thursdays from 4.30pm until 6.30pm - Boat Building at the YEP! Boat Hut, Lochbarr Services, Lochwinnoch. Fridays from 6pm until 8pm - Recycle or Dye, Clothing re-design, printing and making workshops at the Lochwinnoch Annexe.

We’re hoping to re-start some activities in the Community Garden as the lighter nights creep in, including the completion of the Meet Hut’s grow roof.

To take part just turn up or call Gillian on 07854468512 or email gillian@ myleapproject.org for more details.

Why own a car when you could join a Car Club?

visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter

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A lot of people don’t notice the true costs of running a car, but when you add up the cost of tax, MOT, fuel, servicing, repairs, depreciation and parking, you could be looking at an average of over a hundred pounds a week!

And who wants all the hassle that goes with car ownership? What if you could walk down the street and climb into a clean, new car that has its own guaranteed parking space, and drive away? LEAP Car club is giving drivers and householders the opportunity to work out just how much their car or cars are costing to drive every year. If you go to LEAP car Club’s website pages www.myleapproject.org/leap-car-club you can calculate the true cost of owning and driving your car each year. Joining a car club can reduce the costs of driving especially if your car is sitting in the driveway or outside you home unused except for the weekly journeys you make to the supermarket, to visit friends to take the children to nursery and school. Make the right choices and save money with community car hire with LEAP Car Club in Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan and Bridge of Weir.

For more information about car club travel or to become a member of LEAP Car Club, email mike@myleapproject.org.uk or call 01505 842530.

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LOCAL

t: 01505 613340

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

history

The Barony of Auchinames For over four hundred years the long-forgotten Barony of Auchinames, on the west of Kilbarchan village, was the property of the Crawfurds of Auchinames. Reginald Crawfurd was granted the Barony by Robert the Bruce in 1320 for his services at the Battle of Bannockburn. It remained in the possession of the Crawfurds until the middle of the eighteenth century when Patrick Crawfurd, the 16th baron, sold the estate off in lots. The Crawfurd’s Castle of Auchinames was demolished, but the remains of their chapel, dedicated to St. Catherine, and an old knight’s gravestone can still be seen in the old Parish Churchyard.

St.Catherine’s Chapel was built early in the 15th century by Thomas de Crawfurd, 3rd Baron of Auchinames. The function of this chapel was the salvation of his soul and the souls of his predecessors and successors. The patronage was vested in himself and his heirs. By the Foundation Charter of

1401, Crawfurd gave the rental of some of his lands for maintenance of a chaplain ministering in the chapel, which was about to be built; or ministering to the altar of the Holy Virgin Mary in the Church of Kilbarchan. The charter was ratified by King Robert III and St Catherine’s Chapel was built soon after.

At the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Crawfurds lost the chapel lands which were given over by charter ‘in feu’ to laymen. Mary Queen of Scots confirmed this by charter in 1565 and she ‘dispensed with the statues’. However, some years later, William Crawfurd, 9th Baron of Auchinames (1547-82), regained the endowments of St Catherine’s Chapel, and James Chalmers, a zealous Protestant, was the appointed patron. The chapel was still upstanding in 1696 when Archibald Crawfurd, 9th Baron of Auchinames included ‘the chappell of Saint Katharine, situat within the church yeard of Killbarquhane’ in the property he wished to leave to his heirs.

The chapel was shown as a ruin in the 1st ed. OS Map of 1856. The accompanying O S Name Book states that the walls of the chapel stood about 4ft high. The walls had been faced with dressed stone, and an iron railing placed on top, the enclosure being in use as a private burial ground.

The iron railing has since been removed. The lower walls of the chapel still stand in the churchyard today as an enclosure where subsequent owners of former Auchinames lands were buried.

An old medieval gravestone of a knight, irreverently used as building material, can be seen in the churchyard wall on the left of the entrance pillars in Church Street.

The gravestone appears to show the spots of ermine of the Crawfurd coat-of-arms and is almost certainly from the burial place of an early Baron of Auchinames.

Next SOPS Presentation: 6 Legal MUST-DOs for older people

Tuesday 16 February

Carrick Centre, Houston from 7.00-8.15pm A FREE 45 minute talk everyone over 50 should attend, discussing Wills, Power of Attorney & Advance Directive.

Landlords Workshops - coming soon!

Renfrewshire Local History Forum’s next Archaeology Lecture, Waterloo Uncovered: The Archaeology of Europe’s most Famous Battle takes place in the Shaw Gallery, Paisley Museum at 7.30.on 11th February. Our speaker on the night is Tony Pollard, Director, Centre of Battlefield Archaeology, Glasgow University. Visitors are always welcome at our lecture meetings. © 2016 Helen Calcluth

These workshops are aimed at Landlords to include information/advice on setting up a residential tenancy; landlords obligations; legislation – costs & implications; repairs & taxation; management issues and controls.

Also, advertising; management and documentation preparation; tenant credit referencing; lease preparation; regular property inspections; Bespoke letting and marketing recommendations for properties.

Contact our office to book your place at our next events!

Kingsley Wood & Co, Solicitors & Notaries, Burnside Chambers, Kilmacolm PA13 4ET Tel: 01505 874114 Email: mail@kingsleywood.co.uk Web: www.kingsleywood.co.uk

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Winter Road Safety The weather in Scotland is notoriously unpredictable at the best of times and none more so than winter. Whether you are a cyclist, driver or pedestrian, the information below should give you an understanding and awareness of what you should be doing to ensure that you are ready for winter.

Consider keeping an emergency kit in your car for severe weather, this should at least include:

• An ice scraper and de-icer • A shovel for snow • A torch and spare batteries • Warm clothes, boots and a blanket • Some food and a warm drink in a flask • A first aid kit • Battery jump leads • A map or device with offline maps for any unplanned diversions

Driving in bad weather Be mindful of the road conditions when you drive; bad weather is often blamed for causing accidents however the real cause is often inappropriate driving for the conditions that exist.

In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads. Aquaplaning can be a frightening experience; this is where a wedge of water builds up between the front tyres and the road surface. If this happens, the safest solution is to remove pressure from the accelerator, allowing the vehicle to lose speed which will help the tyres regain their grip.

Ice and snow can increase stopping distanced by up to ten times so keep well back from the vehicle in front. Anticipate when you will need to be stopping and be alert to other road users. When the roads are icy, drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently.

Driving in fog drastically reduces visibility so it is important to make your presence aware to other road users. Use dipped headlights if driving in light fog and use fog lights if driving in thick fog. Fog lights must only be used if visibility is less than 100 metres and must be switched off if visibility improves.

For more visit http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/road-safety/winter-road-safety

Johnstone History Society Tues 9th February, Masonic Hall, Collier St, Johnstone at 7.30pm The Speaker is Steven Sutcliffe and his topic is Dugald Semple (18841964) The Hermit of Linwood Moss and the Idea of Life Reform in the early 20th Century. This should be an interesting talk so we look forward to a good turnout of members and friends.

Our 2016 session got off to a good start with an interesting talk about Lismore by Douglas Breingan. This was well attended and again we had a few new members which is very encouraging .

The Museum is now open again, after the festive break, and the times are as usual 10.30am till 4pm - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.We still have a few Johnstone Calendars left for anyone who still has not managed to purchase one. These can still be purchased online at johnstonhistory.org We also have a selection of books and publications on sale in the Museum.

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bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir .....................................................

The Bridge

Spring is awakening. Get ahead - renew your stocks of stationery and prepare for all the birthdays and celebrations expected in 2016.

ADVERTISING FLYER - delivered with this copy of The Gryffe Advertizer. Please use our flyer to remind you The Bridge needs your support.

YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED - to determine how we can improve our services within The Bridge we are asking customers to complete a SURVEY over a 6 week period. A pre-printed sheet will be available from 1st February for completion.

There is no need to provide your name. A box will be provided for all completed sheets.

POST OFFICE – all types of Insurance, Savings products and Mortgages are available through the Post Office. Please ask Donald, Pat or Anne for an information leaflet. Our unique identification code is provided on all leaflets.

Use of this code allows The Bridge to earn income on all completed transactions.

STATIONERY–we stock a comprehensive range of stationery items. We are delighted customers are using The Bridge as a “one stop shop” bringing items for posting, purchasing the necessary packaging, wrapping on site and posting all in one go.

GREETING CARDS – we are continually replenishing our stock to cover life’s events. For those with milestone birthdays the range of cards covers from ages 1 to 10 and 18 to 100. A small stock of Valentine cards are on sale – send your love in 2016! Easter falls at the end of March this year – send your Easter Greetings - individual and packs of Easter Cards on sale from mid February.

(Opening Hours: Mon – 9am to 5pm (PO closed 12 noon to 12.30pm); Tues & Fri – 1pm to 5pm; Wed & Thu – 10am to 2pm; Sat – 9am to 1pm)

RagBag Recycle Bin Langbank

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

and the Winner is......

The Winner of the Kid’s painting competition was Stella Charlecrafte and the second prize was shared by Erin and Lucy Daly.

An independent judge, Art Teacher, Tom Murray (featured in photograph) was invited to choose the winner and present the prizes and certificates.

The Bridge (post office) Main Street, Bridge of Weir will continue to feature artists and hopefully have more budding artists entering next year.

Congratulations to the successful young artists.

BoW Community Council Bridge of Weir Community Council will be holding its first meeting of 2016 on Tuesday 2nd February at 7pm in the Cargill Hall.

The guest speaker will be Fraser Carlin, Head of Roads at Renfrewshire Council, who will update members on the current planning proposals affecting the village as well as outlining the process for the next Local Development Plan. A list of concerns has been sent to him in advance of the meeting to inform the debate.

On Saturday 5th December flooding caused the partial closure of the village.

The Community Council will seek assurances that measures are put in place to prevent this re-occurring.

Works have started at the Primary School to accommodate additional nursery places, and work has also commenced at Houston Road Park to alleviate the flooding problem. The Community Council will request information on the full works programme for both these projects.

A letter has been sent to Renfrewshire Council with the Community Council’s concerns over the changes to the recycling depots with large items of waste having to be taken to the Underwood Road recycling depot at Paisley. The Community Council is also concerned about the stopping of the weekly food waste pick-up and having to use of the brown bins for this waste with a fortnightly pick-up throughout the year.

Community Council meetings are open to the public.

Bridge of Weir Lace Group We meet fortnightly, on Tuesday mornings, throughout the winter.

If you are interested please phone 01505 613967. Everyone is welcome.

The permanent RagBag Recycle bin sited in the school car park of Langbank Primary School for any of your unwanted textiles (no duvets or pillows).

Any money raised from this will go to Langbank Playgroup. If anyone has any items and is unable to get to the recycle bin please call Jacqueline on 01475 540728.

Thank you in advance.

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Memorial - Bridge of Weir and the First World War 100 years ago this month – February 1916 Malcolm Brodie, 1st Gordon Highlanders Since the horrors of the Battle of Loos, there had been no further bad news from the font. But the spring thaw in 1916 was the signal for renewed ferocity, and unwelcome telegrams being received back home. In the early months of the war, volunteers were mainly single men. But some married men had a zeal to serve that was stronger than their family ties. One of those was Malcolm Brodie, a nurseryman living with his wife Agnes and a family of four. They lived in Blackhall, next to Windsor Place in the Main Street. He was thirty-one when he volunteered for the Gordon Highlanders in September 1914, with whom he had served for a year in 1902.

By March 1915 he was in the trenches with the 3rd Division, which was active in the Second Battle of Ypres. In October 1915, Malcolm was slightly injured by a falling trench, but recovered enough to enjoy a week’s home leave in November. But his luck ran out on 21 February 1916. The Battalion was still in Ypres, contesting ownership of a mound of earth spoil excavated from the Ypres-Comines Canal that formed a strategic ridge known as The Bluff. The Germans had captured it on 14 February 1916 and were subjected to fierce counter-attacks for the next two weeks until the British regained it on 2 March.

On the 20th and 21st February Malcolm Brodie’s battalion was holding a trench in the Ravine at Verbrandenmolen at a time when artillery on both sides was exchanging high explosive shells. The front lines were so close that the risk of men being hit was equally great from British and German guns. A short entry in the Battalion war diaries completes Malcolm’s story: 21st February 1916: Dull. Frost in the morning. Considerable aerial activity. 1 killed by our guns.1 wounded by sniper.

Malcolm was killed by what we now call, ironically, “friendly fire”. He left a widow and four children under the age of ten. Agnes kept Malcolm’s Memorial Plaque, popularly known as the “Dead Man’s Penny.”

Read more about Malcolm’s life and untimely death at http://www.bridgeofweirmemorial. co.uk

Gordon Masterton

Bridge of Weir SWI Next meeting Thursday 4th February at 7.15pm for 7.30pm at the British Legion hall. We look forward to an entertaining and thought provoking evening with Jo James, who is a performance reader and singer. We are happy to welcome guests, so please come along.

Langbank

SWI

For our second meeting of the year we will be having a demonstration on Embroidery and Coiling with Jane Campbell-Smith.

This will take place in The Village Centre on Thursday, February 18th at 7.30pm.

We would like to invite anyone who is interested in this subject to come along, enjoy the demo.

And have a cup of tea, you will be more than welcome.

We look forward seeing you.

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Bridge of Weir Tenants and Residents Association

February can be such a dreary month weather-wise, but don’t let yourself feel down - make yourself feel fabulous in February with Laura’s Nail & Beauty Lounge.

The first meeting of the new year was well attended with a number of issues raised and discussed. Our thanks go to Councillor James MacLaren, Andy Summers, Amenities Manager with Renfrewshire Council, the Police and Renfrewshire’s Wardens Service for their attendance.

Treat Your Feet Full Pedicure - £30

The Police report showed that there were eleven crimes committed within the village over the past month of which two have been detected. The crimes ranged from a common assault, to attempted break-ins at both commercial and private properties. Vandalism has been the biggest single factor affecting the figures, with four cases report over the month, two concerning cars.

OPI Gel Polish Manicures & The Lounge Eye Package (this

includes brows shaped and tinted and lashes tinted) - £35

Aveda Facial - £35 Manicures ~ Pedicures ~ Waxing ~ Tinting ~ Massage Facials ~ LVL Lashes ~ Spray Tanning Valentine's Day and Mother's Day will be upon us soon.

A gift voucher is a great solution to show a loved one you care.

Pop in to the Salon to collect or simply phone 01505 690090 and we will post direct to you.

37 Main Street Bridge of Weir 01505-690090 07872-929798

The new build extension to Bridge of Weir Primary school is almost complete, with work anticipated to be complete at the end of February. This will enable the Council to offer and deliver enhanced nursery provision – giving our youngest children the best possible start.

The exceptionally wet weather caused flooding across the ward with parts of Bishopton, Langbank and Bridge of Weir affected. I liaised with Scottish Water and the council to ensure problems were addressed as quickly as possible.

I know Scottish Water are working with developers at Dargavel and increasing their inspections to ensure that any construction activities are not adding to the problem.

For the first time since records began youth unemployment in Renfrewshire has fallen to below the UK average. It is now under 2%. Many people do not realise what councils can do to support the local economy – we made supporting our economy a priority and have invested in businesses and jobs. We are now seeing the results – but we cannot rest on our laurels and are working hard to ensure every young person in Renfrewshire who can gets into employment.

As the Convenor of Finance I have spent the past few weeks trying to produce a budget that balances the books for Renfrewshire. This is well-nigh impossible without slashing services that I am simply not prepared to do. Our children deserve a world-class education service, our elderly deserve excellent social care services and you deserve to walk on decent pavements and drive on decent roads. However with the Scottish Government passing on double the cuts to local authorities they themselves are dealing with, and once again putting Renfrewshire at the bottom of the league table in terms of grant makes balancing the books whilst protecting people from cuts a real challenge.

E-mail: cllr.michael.holmes@renfrewshire.gov.uk Surgeries: 4th Monday: Langbank PS (from 6pm) and Bishopton Library (from 6.45pm) and Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 4th Wednesday (from 6.30pm). Tel: 0300 300 1295.

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The Wardens Service have issued eight penalty notes for dog fouling over the past month and we have been informed that from the 1st April the fine for dog fouling is increasing from £40 to £80, which if the fine is not paid within 28 days, sees the fine rise further to £100. Hopefully the increase in fines will give an incentive to those still reluctant to clean up after their pets, to bag it and bin it in future. Besides from dog fouling, fly tipping is rearing its head again with four fixed penalty notices given around the village, from Livery Walk to St Andrews Drive. If you see rubbish getting dumped illegally phone the Wardens Service.

The continued maintenance of the drainage system at Houston Road Park is going to be with us for a little longer. The existing field drainage is needing to be tweaked and upgraded and the Council are endeavouring to have the works done as quickly as possible, which is no mean feat given the weather conditions.

Photos and a report have been sent to all three local Councillors and Andy Summers by TARA, regarding the badly rutted path from the kids play area in the Glen, and this has been passed on to the relevant department.

The next meeting of Bridge of Weir TARA is on Tuesday 16th February at 7.30pm in the Pirie Centre, Freeland Church. Why not come along if you have a local issue, or issues you’d like to discuss.

kilmacolm

& quarriers .....................................................

Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning

Spiritualist Church

St Fillan’s Church, Moss Rd, Kilmacolm on Tuesday 9th February 10am – 12 noon. Tickets £3 – pancakes, home baking and various stalls.

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm.

Help every Tuesday at 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm)

Angel Voices St Fillan’s Angel Voices Community Children’s Choir will be singing at the Inverclyde Music Festival in Greenock Town Hall on Wednesday 3rd February at 6.30pm. The Choir will be in the Mixed Choir Section as the children of Angel Voices attend five different schools in the area.

Hall to Hire - Kilmacolm The Guide Hut on Woodrow Ave is a great venue with easy access near to the village centre. Newly refurbished main hall, with additional kitchen facilities and outdoor area. Perfect for children’s parties, weekly classes and one off special occasions. For further contact Carol on 01505 874428.

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The replacement and upsizing of culverts in Gowkhouse Road and Market Place has been estimated at £358k.

Officers have identified where the flooding that affects Gowkhouse and Gillburn Roads emanates, but I am not sure when work will begin. Scottish Water are back in the village after the relief of December but disruption is considerable.

It should be remembered that these works are redoing a previous unsuccessful job.

I attended seven school nativities, carol services and concerts. All most enjoyable and a credit to the pupils and their teachers. 9 Lessons and Carols at St Fillans Episcopal Church is a most popular evening and for me marks the start of Christmas. St Columba’s Musical Celebration in a packed Greenock Town Hall under the Master of Ceremonies Ian McCrorie MBE, well known in Greenock music circles, gave us a wonderful performance of voice, orchestral, Jazz and Pipe Band music.

Houston, Glencairn, Finlaystone, West Glen, East Green, Cloak, Dunrod and the Old Largs Roads are all scheduled for major resurfacing in 16/17. I know many villagers in these roads will welcome the investment.

As I visit other Renfrewshire villages, I am constantly comparing how Renfrewshire Council treats its villages with Inverclyde Council’s understanding of Village life. Report after the Scottish Elections, it is good to take the best from both Councils.

2016 is the 25th Anniversary of Marcus Humphrey House in Quarriers Village.

I visit its barbeque annually and there is always a short service which the residents enjoy and the company of the many Masons from the West of Scotland who attend, though the home is open to all in a resident and day basis.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. I visited Flanders and the Somme last year with the local Army Cadets of which I am the Honorary Patron. I was able to visit Beaumont Hamel where the 32nd Division of the HLI attacked on July 1st 1916 including the 16th Battalion HLI made up exclusively of Glasgow Boys Brigade members and old boys. Between 1st July and the last engagement of battle on the 25th November the Battalion of 1650 men lost the lives of 965 of their Pals plus many injured. It was a very little consolation that with 38 individual awards it was the most decorate British Battalion of WW1.

I am giving a presentation to Old Boys of the Greenock and District Battalion of the Boys Brigade of the Battalion’s short history and its last stand at the Frankfurt German Trench on the 25th November 1916 in the last engagement of the disastrous and pointless Battle of the Somme.

I can be contacted on david.wilson@inverclyde 01475 741969 and 712727 mobile 07766 992294. My surgeries are 11th Feb 11am-12noon in the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm and 15th Feb 5pm-6pm Boglestone Community Centre.

OUTLOOK We meets in Kidston Hall at 2pm - everyone welcome to attend the community social afternoon group in Kilmacolm.

On 4th February we are delighted to welcome Mr Kingsley Wood who will be speaking to the group on a few of his favourite subjects Wills, Power of Attorney, Inheritance tax etc, covering useful information with his usual flair of light-hearted chat. Plus afternoon tea and community issues.

On 18th February our guest is Eleanor Robertson from Inverclyde Tourism group, she will tell us of the group’s formation and their welcoming work ‘when the cruise ships come into the Clyde’. Everyone welcome.

World Day of Prayer In St. Columba Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm at 1.30pm on Friday 4th March. Written by the Christian Women of Cuba. Jesus said ‘Receive children, receive me’.

The local WDP group of representatives from the local Churches warmly invites you to share worship and fellowship with people around the world who will be participating in the World Day of Prayer. We are delighted that the children from St Columba’s Junior School will be able to join us with their singing and music.

There will be refreshments after the Service.

Everyone welcome! Maureen Russell telephone 872905

Kilmacolm Show Schedules Industrial Section Schedules now available for the Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Show at the usual outlets or can be downloaded at www.kilmacolmshow.co.uk

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Thankfully, Inverclyde Council, with £1.7 million of funding from the Scottish Government, is now working on a programme to tackle many local flood points throughout the district of which some are in Ward 1 in Kilmacolm, Quarrier’s Village and Port Glasgow. Where flood defence work has already started in some parts of Inverclyde it has proved to be effective in tackling flooding.

The news that Greenock’s Ocean Terminal will attract 59 cruise ships and over 100,000 passengers this year is most welcome as is the expected £10 million boost to the Scottish economy. The cruise industry continues to grow in Inverclyde and Scotland and while many passengers still board buses heading for Edinburgh, Loch Lomond or the Trossachs many of them decide, along with most of the crews, to stay locally spending their money here.

In the next few years as part of the City Deal one of the three projects agreed in Inverclyde is to expand berthing at Ocean Terminal so hopefully we will be able to increase the numbers of cruise ships that can sail here this further enhancing our tourist industry.

Recently I was contacted by a Kilmacolm constituent who is concerned that students from the Port Glasgow Community Campus are not using the safe traffic crossing on Kilmacolm Road to cross over to the former garage that sells food but instead some of them appear to think the red markings on the road is a crossing point. I have been told some cars are having to stop when students cross the road here. I urge any students attending any of the three schools on the Port Glasgow campus to cross the road at the appropriate traffic light crossing and not endanger themselves or motorists and their passengers. I have alerted the council education services about this.

My next surgeries in February are in Kilmacolm Community Centre on Monday 1st at 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Port Glasgow Community Campus Enterprise Centre on Monday 15th at 5.30pm to 6.30pm and Kilmacolm Community Centre on Tuesday 23rd at 6.30pm to 7.30pm. My surgeries will also be advertised on my surgery posters. Anyone wanting to contact me in between surgeries can do so by phoning me through my office on 01475 712727 or my mobile number 07747 765 839 or by emailing me at jim.macleod@ inverclyde.gov. uk or writing to me at Inverclyde C o u n c i l , M u n i c i p a l Buildings, Greenock, PA15 1LY.

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Coffee Morning MND (motor neurone disease) Coffee Morning on Saturday 5th March from 10am - 12 noon in the New Community Centre, Kilmacolm (upstairs). Ticket £3.

kilmacolm

& quarriers .....................................................

Scottish Water’s contractor arrived back in Kilmacolm with a vengeance in early January. The disruption to village life has been considerable. Let’s hope the works are successful this time.

We reported previously on the Council’s budget consultation, which closed on 11 January. The responses from the consultation will be used to inform decisions to be taken by elected members either this month or in early March. Unfortunately the scale of the challenge facing us is significantly greater since the Scottish Government’s announcement in late December that they are slashing our grant by £6.5m in the next financial year.

At the Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee on 14 January approval was given for some carriageway improvements in Kilmacolm in the next financial year. The roads involved are Houston Road, Glencairn Road, Finlaystone Road, West Glen Road (the Lodge to the boundary), Blacksholm Road, East Green Road and Knockbuckle Road (from the end of the houses to Netherwood Road). A further report will be submitted in early March on the carriageway and footways resurfacing programmes for 2016/17. We will provide details in our April report. The resurfacing of Port Glasgow Road is still due for completion this financial year once Scottish Water’s contractor is finished.

An update was also given on the proposed flooding prevention plans for the Glenmosston Burn in Kilmacolm and Gotter Water in Quarrier’s Village. The specialist consultancy Aecom has been appointed to design appropriate schemes and hopefully these designs should be completed within the next few months. Following agreement with relevant landowners the next stage would be to put the works out to tender.

Councillor McColgan My surgeries this month are on Tues 2 Feb, 6pm–7pm in Boglestone Community Centre and Tues 16 Feb, 6pm–7pm in Clune Park Resource Centre. You can reach me on 01475 712727 (during office hours) and 07881 280016 (anytime) or by emailing me at james.mccolgan@ inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively you can write to me at Inverclyde Council, Municipal Buildings, Greenock PA15 1LY. You can keep up to date with my work as a Councillor by visiting my website: http://jamesmccolgan.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @jamesmccolgan.

Councillor McCabe

My surgeries this month are on Tues 9 Feb, 6pm-7pm in St Francis’ Primary School and Tues 23 Feb, 6.30pm–7.30pm in Kilmacolm Community Centre. You can also 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 Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural my work as a Councillor by visiting my Society. Friday 19 February at 7.30pm blog: http://councillorstephenmccabe. blogspot.com/ and follow me on Twitter in New Community Centre Kilmacolm. @CllrSMcCabe.

Whist Drive

Tickets £3 inc refreshments.

Can You Help To Save Inverclyde Off-Road Horse Riders Group?

The Group at present is a fund raising group, which uses the funds to improve gateways and surfaces of roads, paths and tracks in the Inverclyde area. These are of benefit to horse riders who are keen to ride in quiet places away from heavy traffic.

At present we are seeking to find some more riders, who would be interested in keeping the group active and in existence.

We feel sure that there must be younger folk out there that would love to ride out with friends or family on safe off-road tracks. It would be a shame to allow this group, which was founded in 2002, to be disbanded.

We are affiliated to BHS Scotland for Public liability insurance purposes and to date have improved several tracks and worked with the Local Access Forum to establish the current Core path network in the Inverclyde area.

If you are interested in getting involved to help the continuation of this Group, please contact Gillian Conway on 01505 872380, gillain.conway@btinternet. com or Ann Kennedy on 01505 873756, anndkennedy2@aol.com

howwood & elderslie .....................................................

The recent consultation on the future of St Anthony's Primary school is now complete and its outcome will be reported to the Education Policy Board a few days after I have submitted this article at its meeting on the 21st January. If agreed it will mean the relocation of the Spateston Nursery into a refurbished St Anthony's. Over 90 per cent of people who took part in the consultation agreed with this proposal so good news for the children who attend St Anthony's and the nursery as both establishments being in the same building will bring many advantages.

As I write this, the council are looking at what the Scottish Governments budget means for Renfrewshire Council by the time you read this some of the proposals might well be in the public domain. I hope to update you on any issues that might affect the village.

At the recent Community Council meeting the issue of litter in the village was again raised. This problem seems to be worse at the entrance's to the village and it looks like some of it is thrown out of passing cars. I have asked the council to have a look at this situation to see what can be done.

Further on the issue of litter, the Community Council have organised its annual litter pick and this year it's being held on the weekend of the 16th and 17th April. Volunteers will be most welcome. I will issue further details nearer the time.

To close a reminder my surgery is between 6pm and 7pm in the village hall on the fourth Thursday of the month.

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Ladies’ Day A group of generous Renfrewshire ladies recently raised a wonderful £1400 in aid of St Vincent’s Hospice in Howwood.

Julie Munro from Kilbarchan decided to organise an event when she realised that work commitments would prevent her from attending the Hospice’s annual Ladies Lunch. Around 60 glamorous ‘Friends of Friends’ attended Julie’s funfilled Ladies’ Day at the River Inn in Crosslee.

Julie said ‘I’ll always be grateful to St Vincent’s Hospice for the care they gave my mum. The Ladies’ Day was great fun and I am delighted that we managed to raise so much for the charity.’

Julie Munro welcomes the Ladies

Julie Munro with helpers Carolynne Strachan (left) and Louise Dunn (right)

Lesley Miller, Fundraising Manager at St Vincent’s said, ‘Julie organised a fantastic event which not only gave the ladies an opportunity to have a party, but also raised vital funds to help us care for local families. I’d like to say a big Thank You! To Julie and her friends for their generous contribution to the work of the Hospice’.

Howwood SWI Tuesday 16th February Using Herbs at Home by Karon Grieve

Vote of Thanks - Irene MacTaggart

Competition - Candle Holder

Meetings in Howwood Village Hall at 7.30pm

Hostesses - Cath Love & Isobel Brocket

Subscription £18 per annum

houston, crosslee & brookfield

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Crafty Hobbies Crafty hobbies is what we do Come and join the crafty crew Come and learn some crafty makes followed by some tea and cakes We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday in the month at 7.30pm in the Carrick Centre, Houston. No previous craft experience necessary. We are just a group of ladies who enjoy making things!

Next night is Thursday 4th February.

Call Lorna Cairns 612844 or Shirley White - 610721

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H.O.S.T. (Houston Old School Trust)

The Carrick Centre, Houston What’s on February 2016 Monday to Friday, Woodlands Out of School 01505 615438 MONDAY Embroiderers Guild ( Weekly ) 10am – 12noon Yoga (Weekly) 1pm Mary Laidlaw 01505 610217 Rockstar Tumbling Class (Weekly) 4.15pm Roz Hart 07734 714131 Young Farmers 1st, 22nd, 29th 7.30pm Handiwives 15th 7.30pm D Ure 614651 Diaporama 8th 7.30pm TUESDAY Musical Theatre (Weekly) 3:30pm & 5.45pm Yoga (weekly) 7pm M/s Lawson 01505 613690 Gryffebank Res. Association 2nd 7.30pm Houston Show AGM 7.30pm WEDNESDAY Paint Pot Tots (Weekly) 10am Dawn Campbell 07789 262 350 Galaxy Dance (weekly) 4pm Lauren 07974 285 102 Councillors Surgeries 17th 6.30pm Gryffe Melody Makers 3rd & 17th 7pm Camera Club (weekly) 7.30pm Houston Community Council 17th 7.30pm

THURSDAY Burlex Fitness (Weekly) 9.15 – 10am 07944 815 298 Gryffe Quilting Group (Weekly) 1.15 3.15pm 18th 10am -3pm French Class ( Weekly) 4pm F McDevitt Crafty Friends 4th & 18th 7.30pm Folk Club (weekly) 8pm Paddybullen@ live.co.uk FRIDAY Galaxy Dancing (weekly) 4pm Lauren MP Surgery (12th) 12.30 – 1.30pm SATURDAY Galaxy Dancing (weekly) 9.30am Lauren Heyes Photography 10am SUNDAY Baptist Church (weekly) 11am and 6pm

Booking enquiries to Ian Simpson, 01505 612203 Sandy Young 01505 331488 Bill Haddow 01505 690693 hostbooking@outlook.com or The Coffee Shop

Brookfield Ceilidh Brookfield enjoyed a successful and energetic family ceilidh in the hall in January. We were accompanied by Colin Walker Ceilidh Sound who instructed our dance moves and kept our kilts whirling! Great fun was had by all who attended.

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houston, crosslee & brookfield .....................................................

Houston and Killellan Kirk The fanatastic sum of £895.82 was raised by the Kirk Postie. The money has been sent to Renfrewshire Christmas lunch and this made Christmas special for so many local people. Well done and thank you.

The Guild are going to be busy this month on 2nd February Grant Young will be entertaining us with his adventure around Europe by bike. This is also bring a friend night. On the 16th February Mission Aviation Fellowship will be telling us of the great work they do. On Saturday 27th we will be hosting a Daffodil Tea in the West Hall from 10.30am until 12noon. Tickets available from Guild members £2 adults and £1 for children to include cream tea/coffee. Come along and enjoy! This year the World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday 4th March at 7.30pm in Houston and Killellan Kirk.

Senior Citizens are looking forward to Wednesday 10th February hearing Kate Jackson tell of her tales of cycling across Scotland. On Wednesday 24th February a Bring and Buy sale is being held this being a fundraiser for the group. They meet in the Church hall at 2pm. Please come along everybody welcome.

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My surgeries are held on the second Tuesday of each month in Brookfield Village Hall from 6pm to 6.30pm then in Houston Village Hall from 7pm to 7.45pm.

I can be contacted by phone on 01505 610018 or by e-mail at cllr. allan.noon@renfrewshire.guv.uk or through Renfrewshire Council on 0300 300 1265

I will be holding surgeries at Linwood High, Tweedie Hall, Linwood and the Carrick Centre, Houston.

To keep up to date with my work for the area, or to raise local issues, why not 'like' my local facebook page: w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / CouncillorStuartClark

Brookfield Village Brookfield Council AGM Art Show Friday 18 March

Sat 19 & Sun 20 March

As all residents of Brookfield have an equal share in the land and property owned by the village, including the Village Hall itself, it is important to have your say, so we would really like to encourage as many residents as possible to join us on the evening of Friday, 18th March.

The ever popular Brookfield Art Show will be held on Saturday 19 March from 6.30pm - 8.30pm and Sunday 20 March from 12noon to 4.30pm.

We will be discussing the important issues of the year, sharing news from the various Clubs and Associations, as well as garnering opinion on some constitutional items.

However, please don’t think this is all serious stuff, as following the AGM we will be enjoying a fun social evening with our friends and neighbours, so please do come along.

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We are supporting the Sport Relief Mile and holding an event in the village hall.

You can also check us out on Twitter @brookfieldvpa, Brookfield Village on Facebook or on our website, brookfieldvillage.org.

Houston and Killellan Kirk Carnival Star Wars “May The Force 14th Be With You” on Saturday 14th May. The Force Awakens and Houston will become the centre for Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Stormtroopers and soccer ball shaped droids and many others.

This is an important event in the church calendar, and we welcome all. Who will be the First order trooper Snowtrooper or Flametrooper? This is an immensely successful event within the village and a tremendous amount of hard work is put into the day, dedicated helpers and extremely generous public.

It is also the time for gardeners to think about the sowing of seeds, people clearing out bric a brac, toiletries etc., In next months edition more information and contact numbers will be available.

kilbarchan ..................................................... & lochwinnoch Villagers in Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch who may have heard rumours about the future of the Steeple Hall and McKillop institute, will be reassured by the commitment given by the current administration at the December meeting of Renfrewshire Council, that it has not, and will not close any of its community facilities, and is determined to enhance and improve all those facilities, a move approved despite some opposition councillors failing to back the administration.

While I am seeking an accelerated programme of the work involved, the timing of and funding of these improvements and indeed others, sadly will be affected by the decision in the Scottish Government budget on the 16 December, to yet again cut funding to Renfrewshire Council.

Such cuts cannot continue without having a serious impact on services, however I will continue to work to minimise the effects of these cuts, argue for a fairer deal for Renfrewshire, as well as work for the improvements to our community facilities.

Thanks to those constituents who contacted me regarding the resurfacing work on Burntshields Road Kilbarchan, which was completed just before Christmas.

This has been long awaited, but has been welcomed by those who regularly use the road, and who had made previous representation to me.

Congratulations to Carrie McIntyre Renfrewshire South Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and her colleagues, for their successful campaign assisted

by Hugh Henry MSP, in getting McGills buses to remove their evening curfew on young peoples travel tickets. which are now valid up to 10pm.

Thanks also to McGills for responding positively to the campaign.

My surgeries are on the first Saturday of the month except January and July at 9am in the McKillop institute and 10am in the Steeple Hall Please contact me any time at cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone 07534156007 or 0300 300 1274

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Kilbarchan Parish Church We extend a warm welcome to join us at either our Sunday service at 11am or our Midweek Fellowship on a Wednesday morning at 10.30am. On a Sunday morning the Rev Stephen Smith, our minister, conducts worship in the Church building off Steeple Square and Crèche and Junior Church meet in the hall at 10.45am.

All children from babies to 11years old will be made most welcome. On a Wednesday morning we meet in the small hall from 10.30am for tea, coffee and chat followed by a short informal service at 11am, taken either by Stephen or one of our worship leaders.

The Guild has two meetings during February, both at 2.30pm in the church hall. On Tuesday 9th February we welcome other Guilds and Fellowship groups to join us when we will be entertained by the Comrie Singers. On Tuesday 23rd February Commissioner Banks of the Salvation Army will tell us of his work as an Airport Chaplain.

During the week many other groups meet in the church halls – Tots Club, Men’s Club, Stitching Group, Country Dance Group, Badminton Club and all sections of the Boys’ Brigade. If you are interested in any of these, details can be found on our website - kilbarchan-kirk.btck.co.uk

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Kilbarchan Hill Organ Demonstration Come and hear one of Scotland’s best Church organs before it is too late.

Lilias Day 2016 Kilbarchan East and West Churches united to form Kilbarchan Parish Church in December 2015, using the former East Church. The organ in the former West Church is one of the finest Church organs in Scotland.

Built in 1904 by William Hill and Son, it remains today with very few alterations; it has three manuals and 38 speaking stops. The instrument is listed by the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) as Grade 1, the largest Grade 1 listed instrument in a Church in Scotland, and the only working Grade 1 instrument in the Paisley area. It is hoped a new home can be found for the organ.

On Saturday 13th February, at 2.30pm, Tom Ferguson, organist there from 1979 till 2015, will talk about and demonstrate the organ.

All organists and everyone interested in the organ is very welcome to come and hear this wonderful instrument.

There will be an opportunity at the end for organists to try the instrument.

How about a New Year with a new start with a resolution which you can joyfully keep? Most importantly something which gives you pleasure.

Kilbarchan is exceptionally well provided with many opportunities on offer. It may be that you already are part of a group and have a very satisfying programme. However, if you are thinking about a new beginning why not visit the Old Library.

Stop this happening again The Centre is a community facility run for everyone by Kilbarchan Improvement Projects (KIPCo).

Preparations are well underway for this year’s Lilias Day taking place on Saturday 4 June.

The event continues to provide fundraising opportunities for good causes and organisers are currently inviting applications from charities and local organisations to take a stall on the day. A Stall Holders Evening has been organised for Tuesday 15th March, 7pm, at The Old Library Centre, Kilbarchan with a 10% discount on stall prices being offered to those booking on the night.

Local organisations and individual streets in the village are once again being invited to join in the fun by theming and decorating a parade float as part of the parade. Demand for floats has been high in the past and they are currently being allocated so get in touch by emailing the committee on info@liliasday.co.uk 2016 fundraising efforts begin with a Quiz Night on Saturday 12th March (venue to be confirmed). Following the success of last years’ big prize raffle another £1000 will be up for grabs for the top prize winner this year. Raffle tickets will be available to buy in the countdown to the event.

Chair, Graeme Stockton, has been delighted with the ongoing support Lilias Day has enjoyed: “We really appreciate the way the community rallies round to support this important event each year. On behalf of the committee I would like to thank the organisations and groups, businesses, volunteers and individuals who all help make it happen.”

For more information email info@liliasday.co.uk like “Kilbarchan Lilias Day” on Facebook or follow @LiliasDay on Twitter.

Country Dance Classes Tuesdays in the McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch at 7.30pm.

We always have great fun and it's good exercise too! Phone Lorna Black 01505 843048 for more info.

Many people will remember the history of the formation of Kilbarchan Improvement Projects (KIPCo). When the Authority decided that the Kilbarchan Library had to close there was an enormous protest and appeal by Kilbarchan residents. This was to no avail. The Community Council decided to request that the building should remain in use by residents of Kilbarchan and surrounding area. On the submission of a business plan the Renfrewshire Council agreed.

One of the conditions required by the Council was that a company had to be legally created. KIPCo was formed in 2001.

The Company is a registered Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by guarantee. KIPCo is made up of a group of Directors and a team of helpers.

The Old Library Centre building belongs to Renfrewshire Council with the maintenance, running costs and funding KIPCo’s responsibility. We are extremely grateful to the number of people, many of whom have been donating since 2001, who contribute annually to help finance this facility. Further income comes from the usage of the facilities many uses. Please look on www.kipcokil. com or call 01505 706070 for details of the opportunities for you to join.

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kilbarchan ..................................................... & lochwinnoch Kilbarchan Coffee Morning

Hosted by Kilbarchan Singers on Saturday, 5th March from 10am ‘til 12noon in Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Square, Kilbarchan. Tickets £2.50 Various stalls, books baking & tombola.

Kilbarchan NWR During the month of February we have 2 meetingseach of us to talk about something/someone beginning with the letter “M” and a Hat Night when members bring along a topic or newspaper cutting, serious or humorous, to be discussed.

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Renfrewshire Riding Club Fundraising Race Night Saturday 20th February - Kilbarchan Scout Hall - 7.30pm-late Fundraiser to raise funds for the Junior SJ Team who have qualified for the KBIS Winter Championships in Bedford, the Only Scottish Junior Team to do so.

Tickets are priced at £5 and include light refreshments and race programme.

Contact admin@renfreshirerc.org.uk or 07791 698960 for more information and tickets.

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I am always keen to support community initiatives and with the good work of the Kilbarchan Smiles Group in mind, I proposed at the December meeting of Lochwinnoch Community Council that a representative from Kilbarchan Smiles attends a forthcoming meeting of the Lochwinnoch CC to talk about the Stalled Spaces programme. This is a council funded initiative which has enabled Kilbarchan to benefit from a targeted approach to rejuvenating unused open spaces in our villages, and Lochwinnoch community activists are keen to see how this can benefit their village also.

LEADER is a major EU project which is aimed at boosting businesses, creating jobs, and regenerating our rural and village communities. Renfrewshire is to benefit this year from over £2 million LEADER funding for villages like Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch.

Over the last year I have been fighting to get representation on the Local Action Group, which will decide how these crucial monies will be invested, for all local community councils. The ruling administration on Renfrewshire Council has did a U turn and selected two community councils as being representative, one of which is Kilbarchan Community Council.

Risk of flooding is a major issue for parts of both Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, and I am far from convinced that there is enough collaborative working between Scottish Water and SEPA. I have written to Scottish Water management demanding more action to resolve these challenges.

My advice surgery in Kilbarchan is on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in the Steeple Hall at 7.45pm, and my advice surgery in Lochwinnoch is on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the McKillop at 7.30pm, excluding July. But I am also always available to constituents who can call me on 07534 148224, tweet me on CllrAndy4Ward8 or e-mail me at cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Habbie Tat Kilbarchan’s popular Habbie Tat event resumes with a St Valentine’s day flavour at the Performing Arts Centre in Steeple Square, on Sunday 14 February.

“We have some different stallholders participating and given the date, we are all intending to present at least some items that will be suitable, given the date,” said organiser Brenda Temple.

“I’ve collected vintage jewellery for years and have been looking out some of the pieces I can now live without, some from the Art Deco period and some from the ‘50s and ‘60s, and there will be items that could be bought as a nice gift for the man in your life too, such as exquisite American silk ties from the ‘40s and ‘50s” The Habbie tat events began after several friends spoke about wanting to clear the attic or tidy out the garage and generally de-clutter.

Each month, there is a different batch of bric-a-brac and collectables presented and there will be several new stallholders bringing along items for sale in February.

“We have one couple who are wanting to dispose of a selection of bits and pieces they were left after an elderly relative died, and a local picture framer is clearing out his workshop too, with many really beautiful frames for sale at a fraction of the usual price,” added Brenda.

Doors open at 1pm and all of the admission money collected (tickets are 50p) go to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre.

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Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2016 early announcement!

This year's Lochwinnoch Arts Festival runs from 9th March to 9th April 2016.

The headline performer is the legendry Dougie McLean on Saturday 19th March, one of Scotland’s finest singer-songwriters.

The Capitol Big Band 24th supported by the Factory Street Quartet. The fantastic Rose Room gypsy jazz swing bands supported

by Witches Brew.

Sunday 20th March Classical classic with opera singers Hazel MacBain and Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, the Flute Phonics flute orchestra and the The Melville Wind Quintet.

Tuesday 22nd March - A Scottish evening. The Govan Gaelic choir, fiddle player Alistair McCulloch - who has been Scottish National Fiddle Champion, Siobhan Miller - BBC ALBA singer of the Year 2014, and the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra.

Wednesday 23rd March - A charity concert on a fun sing along with the Lochwinnoch Small Fezzes ukulele band and other artists. The Lochwinnoch Choral Society and local artists will perform the final concert on Sunday 27th.

Saturday 12th March - A real ‘drama’ will unfold with Rapid Departure. In partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure and Paisley Arts Centre present Rapid Departure the brand new immersive comedy from Right Lines who performed the successful musical Whisky Kisses at Pitlochry Festival Theatre in 2014.

Thursday 17th and Friday 18th March - More drama is on offer from our wonderfully talented Calder Drama performing Ladies Day. Friday 25th March - Dominic Snyder and Nina Enemark will perform ‘wired’ - Dominic Snyder’s recent movement and dance.

On Easter the Calder church will perform the Lochwinnoch Easter Passion with many local artists.

Saturday 19th March - Well known authors at the Festival including Ron Ferguson an award-winning journalist, writing for The Herald, The Press & Journal and Life & Work. Previously, leader of the Iona Community and minister of St Magnus Cathedral on Orkney. He will be interviewed by Ruth Wishart who is one of Scotland’s leading journalists.

A well-known musician and artist Ronnie Browne of Corries fame will talk about his book ‘That Guy Fae the Corries’. He will be interviewed by Professor Rowena Murray.

Wednesday 9th till Saturday 19th March - The popular Art Exhibition opening in the library followed by the photography exhibition in the library from Wednesday 23rd till Sunday 9th of April.

Many workshops and participatory events including Saturday 5th at the RSPB - children’s poetry workshop and competition, dance on Sunday 13th, photography on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, mixed instrument on Sunday 20th with Nigel Gatherer and bodhran with Chris, Waite, Pottery workshop on Sunday 20th, Krafty Kids on Saturday 26th, Fiddle workshop with Alastair McCulloch and accordion with Ian Muir on Sunday 27th.

Submissions are now welcomed for Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Art Exhibition.

Details can be downloaded from the Festival Website, www. lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk, hard copies are available from Calder Gallery & Framing, 8 High Street, Lochwinnoch Tickets can be purchased from Calder Gallery & Framing, The Junction café and Now & Then in Lochwinnoch. For more information look at the Lochwinnoch Web site http://lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk/

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Lochwinnoch SWI The next meeting of the Lochwinnoch SWI is on Wednesday 17th February at 7.30pm in the McKillop Hall.

Spring is almost upon us, hopefully, and summer not so far behind so our thoughts turn towards the new gardening season!!

So, to encourage a village full of colour in our gardens, David Castelvecci is coming to talk to us about “ Plants for Hanging Baskets”.

There will also be a sales table, so any donations of will be gratefully received.

We look forward to welcoming members and visitors to this interesting evening. Any further information please contact, Elma Richmond Tel : 843193 or richmond32@ tiscali.co.uk

Kilbarchan Parish Church Bible Class and Fewsion We held our annual campaign for donations to Mary’s Meals leading up to Christmas. This year, all records were broken and with the government set to double all donations and Gift Aid reclaimed, the grand total is £2,300; a marvellously generous congregation once again!

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Kilbarchan Beekeepers January’s Kilbarchan and District Beekeeping Association (KBA) meeting, marked the retirement of the outgoing Secretary Ian Craig. Ian has been the Secretary for KBA for 36 years (1979 to 2015) and a member for far longer than that. Ian started beekeeping as a 13 year old and in his seventies, is still one of the area’s most prolific beekeepers (although he has downsized significantly in the past few years). Ian’s services to the local, Scottish and UK Beekeeping agenda has been wide ranging and well recognised, even by the Queen when he was awarded his MBE for Services to Beekeeping in the 2013 New Years Honours list. He joined the Scottish Beekeeping Association over 43 years ago and has been a member of the SBA Executive (now Board of Trustees) since the early 1990s. Ian took on the role of Education Convenor in 1994 until handing it on in 2012 (although he still performs examinations the width and breadth of Scotland), and has twice been President of the SBA. We presented Ian with a hamper for picnics, a gift certificate for a stay in Appin, all of which he will share with his lovely wife Aileen (who has accompanied Ian around the country on his beekeeping activities). He also received a cake (see picture), gloriously covered in fondant Honeybees, which was shared with the club during the Tea Break (sorry Aileen).

Interested?

If you are interested in beekeeping for yourself or the whole family, anyone is welcome. Contact Helena Jackson, the Kilbarchan and District Beekeepers Association Secretary via e-mail Helena.Jackson72@sky.com if you would like to know more!

KBA hold evening meetings during Autumn & Winter months in The Steeple Halls, Kilbarchan between 7.30–10pm. To find out more about Honeybee husbandry and related topics, drop in to find out more at one of the remaining winter season meetings below, or contact us to come along to one of the Apiary visits in the Spring.

Evening Programme 2015/16 12th January Beekeeping DVD’s with Peter Stromberg 9th February Basic Bee Anatomy with Alan Riach 8th March A to Z of Swarm Control with Phil McAnespie

Daytime Programme 2016/17 8th May Apiary Visit 1 Ian Craig 5th June Apiary Visit 2 Duncan MacGilp

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society Kilmacolm Horticultural Society will hold their February lecture on Wednesday 17th February at 7.30pm In the New Community Centre. Our guest speaker, Dr Sheena Wurthmann, will ask the question ‘Can Gardeners make a difference?’ The challenging facts of biodiversity and climate change figure prominently in our world today come along and hear Sheena’s response as an Ecologist.

Everyone welcome, refreshments follow the lecture.

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December was a very busy month with Christmas tree sales, conservation work and many children attending the New Santa’s Grotto, so many in fact that we completely sold out and had to add another two days. Although regarded by many as the quieter time of the year, the next few months will see much activity, not only conservation work in the woods and gardens but also gearing up for the snowdrop trails taking place throughout February.

We all look forward to seeing you on the estate soon and the much anticipated opening of the NEW FALCONRY CENTRE. In the garden We can normally expect January to be our coldest month of the year, and probably the wettest also, with average rainfall in the region of 200250 mm; however even in these poor conditions we can still enjoy the garden. Many shrubs and plants in our winter border will be blooming; The Silk-tassel bush (Garrya eliptica) looks stunning with its long silver catkins which can measure up to 14” (35mm) in length; Viburnum bodnantense with their rose tinted flowers,(which are sweetly scented) are still in bloom and are great value plants as they bloom for most of the winter. Even though flowers are scarce at this time of year, there are many evergreens; Conifers, Hollies, Mahonias etc which add great structure to the garden (especially when draped with fresh snow), they make great subjects for photographers and artists alike.

Winter vegetables now in season include Parsnips, Red and Green Brussels Sprouts, Red Kale, Leeks and Purple Sprouting Broccoli.

Press Cuttings

We would be grateful if you see anything about Finlaystone in the press to cut it out and bring it in for our press files as these will help form the archives of the future!

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Volunteer news Are you interested in doing some survey work? This is a great opportunity for budding naturalists to hone their skills and for people interested in nature to learn as we are planning on setting up several easy to do monitoring schemes in 2016 – sampling lichens to assess air quality, bird watching and wildflower I.D. No prior experience needed. Your data will be used at a national level and could make a real difference to conservation in Scotland.

And a big thank you to all the volunteers who help out in the woodlands and gardens, we couldn’t run this place without you and we hope to see you in the new year.

Dates for your Calendar: Every Sunday in February we will have a ranger guided walk through the snowdrop trail, these are held from 1-3pm. We will have a “Special Moonlight Snowdrop Walk” on Friday the 12th Feb the cost of this is £5 per Adult and £3 per child aged three or over. This is a pre book event only.

Waxwings Visit The waxwing is a round bird, which is smaller than a starling. It has a large Mohican-like yellow crest. It is reddish-brown with a black throat, a small black mask round its eye.

Waxwings have been visiting the estate this winter to feast on berries, the birds don’t breed in Scotland but are winter visitors from Scandinavia.

There has been a very good season for them and large numbers ‘overflow’ their home territories in what is known as an irruption, we then see increased numbers stripping the bushes of berries.

For further information telephone 01475 540505 or visit the website at www.finlaystone.co.uk

Ardgowan House, Inverkip - Sunday 21 February 2pm-5pm The first garden opening of the year - Ardgowan House, Inverkip - is open on Sunday 21 February from 2pm-5pm. Enjoy woodland walks carpeted with masses of snowdrops in a lovely setting overlooking the River Clyde. The paths can be very muddy at this time of year so come prepared with sturdy waterproof footwear and clothing. The garden is not wheelchair accessible at this time of year but there will be delicious homemade teas and a plant stall at the house. Admission is £2 and beneficiaries are Greenock Medical Aid Society and SG charities.

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Welcome to Scotland’s largest Regional Park Continue Your Good Work!

Did you succeed with your New Year’s resolution or even if you ‘failed’ don’t be disheartened and certainly don’t give up, get back on it and explore the Park’s roads, paths, trails and tracks by walking, running or cycling. Don’t think about it, just get yourself here and go! Need a goal to keep motivated? Sign up to Pedal the Park, details below…

Pedal the Park 2016 – Sun 24 Apr We are proud to announce that this year Pedal the Park’s official charity partner is CLIC Sargent with £5 from every entry going to helping the children’s cancer charity. We have 2 exciting sportive options Classic 75km and a Challenging 100km to choose from and just £15 entry fee!

Also returning will be para cycle ride. Put Sun 24 Apr in your diary now and check Ride 63’s facebook page for link to the British Cycling Entry Form – now LIVE!

The number of wintering mute swans has increased and we are regularly getting 30+ birds looking to be fed. Whoopy the whooper swan is still about and visits regularly although he is more likely to be seen over at the RSPB. Please remember to throw all food into the water, particularly any bread, so it swells up before the birds eat it. We feed the swans barley on bad weather days which they really like if you wish to feed them something else or why not come along to one of the Swan Chats to get more info?

With the higher water levels there has been an increase in swans getting tangled in fishing line as old discarded line gets moved about and caught on vegetation. We welcome responsible fishermen so please remember to clear up after you and if you see any line or affected wildlife, please let the Rangers or Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue know (01505 502 415).

The Lochwinnoch Art Group’s annual exhibition will run at Castle Semple from Fri 5 Feb until Sun 21 Feb. All paintings are for sale. Drop in and have a look or even a coffee!

Some of the badgers have been very active during the recent mild spells with Rough and Salt regularly caught on camera. It is hoped that Tufty will again produce cubs in February although we won’t know for certain until April-May time. Don’t forget you can catch up on all the wildlife news on the project’s Facebook page as well as tuning in to Scotland’s City Safari on STV Glasgow on Friday nights at 8.30pm and STV (Channel 3) on Sunday at 12.30pm.

Beginners Spoon Carving Workshop – Sun 28 Feb

Events

Join us to learn how to carve wood at Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. It’s a great hobby and skill to learn plus there will be advice on what knives and types of wood are best too. Book in on this unique workshop call 01475 521 458, time is 10am – 3.30pm and cost is £25.

The next Swan Chat, where you can pop along and find out more about the swans and wildfowl at Castle Semple Loch, takes place on 20th of February at 2pm.

Duke of Edinburgh Programmes at Clyde Muirshiel

Details can be found on the Park’s website page www.clydemuirshiel. co.uk or by emailing wow@clydemuirshiel.co.uk. Footage can be viewed on the Park’s Youtube channel or on the WoW Facebook page. Talks to groups can be arranged.

Art in the Park Returns to Castle Semple

The Park has expanded our range of expeditions and skills to suit Duke of Edinburgh participants of all abilities. Get in touch with dofe@ clydemuirshiel.co.uk if you know of a group of 14-24 yr olds who could benefit from a tailored programme!

More Info…

Ride 63 Club News Save the dates now and get involved! Email the Secretary at ridesixtythree@gmail.com to become a member or email the Park at routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk or more information.

Windows on Wildlife The Clyde Muirshiel Windows on Wildlife Project aims to bring people closer to wildlife, gaining a unique insight to the furry & feathered inhabitants of Castle Semple Country Park. Countryside Ranger Hayley Douglas gives us an update.

Wildlife News Well the weather has certainly been wild over the last wee while with the various storms hitting us and the water levels remaining high on the River Calder and on the lochs. There were many reports of little auks, a small black and white seabird, being blown inland although none of them appeared in Lochwinnoch. We did however, have three great blackbacked gulls hang around for a day before departing back to the coast.

Regular Events Mondays (put not public holidays)

Saturdays

Lochwinnoch Community Walks meet 10.30am at The Cross, Lochwinnoch.

Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers, Adult group, 10.30am – 2.30pm.

Weekly Volunteer Groups Newcomers always welcome!

Sundays

-

Thursdays

Castle Semple Young Volunteers, 12-18 yr olds, 10am – 12noon.

Castle Semple Conservation Volunteers, Adult group, from 12.30pm – 3.30pm.

Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages.

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Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society The Society’s guest speaker in January was local member Ewen Brown who spoke about his lifelong passion for cacti and succulents. His boyhood interest started with growing plants indoors on windowsills before his burgeoning collection moved into a 6’ greenhouse. His first cactus was the Peanut Cactus with its bright red flowers. Since then Ewen’s care of plants, seed germination and growing on of cuttings has required moves to a greenhouse 12’ long and, at present, one 30’ in length.

Cacti and succulents produce vibrant, stunning flowers like those of Mesembryanthemums or Livingstone Daisies which are the succulents we grow in our summer gardens. Like many sunloving plants their flowers tend to have a short life and, as a lad, Ewen took his collection with him on holiday, stashed along the back window of the car, so he would not miss any imminent display.

Cactus and succulent are general names given to two plant groups. Some cacti are true desert dwellers but others grow in grasslands, mountainous areas and even on other plants. Succulent is a descriptive term for plants which store moisture in their fleshy leaves and stems. Cacti and succulents can grow in extremely hostile environments. They have developed cunning defence mechanisms, such as multi-sized spines and barbed or hooked ones.

A south-facing windowsill is ideal for a small collection. During their growing season, which is spring to autumn, plants require a lot of water and a weekly feed. They then rest for the remainder of their year and need low temperatures and occasional watering, if they start to shrivel. Compost, which is gritty, is available commercially. If you want to make up your own, use an equal mix of horticultural sand, grit and loam. When growing on, cacti and succulents are best potted into slightly larger pots.

Gently remove the grit from around the base and hold cacti by the roots. Alternatively, with great care, wrap a thick layer of newspaper or foam rubber around the plants before undertaking any change! Even sap can be an irritant as succulents are in the Euphorbia family.

Like everyone, Ewen has had some greenhouse disasters but his enthusiasm for cacti and succulents remains undimmed and he hoped he encouraged others to try a greater variety of these intriguing plants.

Our next guest speaker will be another member, Paul Matthews, formerly of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Paul will give us tips on “Pruning – to cut, or not to cut?” We meet on Thursday, 11th February at The Royal British Legion at 8pm. And, as always, guests are welcome to come along to pick up tips on this thorny subject.

Brighter Bridge of Weir Winter Wonder Well, it’s been a funny old off-season for plants, so far. Although major snowfall had been forecast for last month, at the time of writing we’ve escaped the worst of it in our area, having had only a day or two of chaos. Before that, the average temperatures had been unseasonably warm. That, together with the heavy rainfall, meant that things were growing when they shouldn’t have been. We heard of someone who cut their lawn in October, expecting that to be the last time until the spring, but they had to cut it again just before Christmas. (Maybe they’re just fussy, though.) And not only were there Christmas roses this year, but we had Christmas daffodils, too!

Perhaps by the time the Advertizer’s February issue is out, the snowdrops will be too, but there’s no sign of them as we prepare this report.

The big worry is that all the plants are lulled into a false sense of season and emerge too early, only to be killed off by a sudden, prolonged cold snap.

Still, let’s try to look on the bright side - spring is just around the corner. Well, if not this corner then the next one. And Brighter Bridge of Weir are once again setting out plans for the 2016 growing season. If you’re a resident of Bridge of Weir, or have a business in the village, let us know if you have any ideas on how to make things brighter than ever.

You can contact us via our website at www.brighterbridgeofweir.org, or on our Facebook page (facebook.com/brighterbridgeofweir).

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The Big Garden Birdwatch is the biggest wildlife survey in the world and last year, over half a million people took part, counting more than 8.5 million birds – a tremendous effort!

We’re hoping even more of people will have joined in this year.

The survey is incredibly useful as it helps us monitor population trends of garden birds, such as the continuing long running decline in greenfinch numbers (53% decline since 1979).

This long term drop is likely due to Trichomonosis, a disease which can be contracted at garden feeding stations - so it’s good to clean them every now and then!

February sees the introduction of our new, self-led wild challenge events. These run for a few days at a time over the course of the year, meaning you can do at a time convenient to you.

With follow up events scheduled for April, May, July, August & September.

“Be a Bird” is the first instalment running between 12 – 16 February, and is sure to be a hit with children of all ages. Go out on our trails, become a bird for the day, build nests and flee from other predatory birds. Then return to the visitor centre where you can check out some birdy artefacts.

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Houston Baby and Toddler Group every Monday Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers

McKillop Hall. 9.30am-11.30am £2/

family fee includes tea & children’s snacks.

Children from 0-4 years old are very welcome with their parents/grandparent/carer. You’ll receive a warm reception and the children can have fun playing with our many toys while the adults chat over a cuppa!

We also enjoy special events, such as seasonal crafts and we recently had lots of fun at our Christmas party, and had a visit from a very special guest!

Kilmacolm Playgroup

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm, 9.30am-11.40am

Howwood Baby & Toddler Group

Howwood Parish Church. 10am-12noon.

Kilbarchan East Tots Club

East Church Hall. 9.15am-11.30am

every Tuesday

We meet every Thursday between 9.30am - 11.30am (term time) in the West hall, Main Street, Houston, PA6 7EL (next door to the Carrick Centre) – pop along when you can. We look forward to meeting you, Lesley, Sharon & Fiona.

Bridge of Weir Toddlers

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW

Pop along and see us from 9.30-11.30am

Baby Social

For further information come along one morning or contact Lesley Jackson on 07900 556 004 or lesleyannjackson@outlook.com

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers Vill. 11am Meet mums, drink coffee & eat cake.

Kilmacolm Playgroup

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm, 9.30am-11.40am

Howwood Playgroup

Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am

every Wednesday Kilmacolm Toddlers

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm, 10am - 11.30am For children from birth to 3 years.

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers McKillop Hall. 9.30am-11.30am

£2/family fee includes tea and children’s snacks.

Duchal Nursery School

St Fillan’s Primary School, Houston

We’ve had a great start to the year beginning our Beatrix Potter project finding all about Peter Rabbit and his exploits. We will be learning about all sorts of animals through the wonderful characters created

by Beatrix Potter who was born 150 years ago this year. It’s wonderful how her books still catch the imagination of the children now.

St Fillan’s staff and pupils have returned to school in the New Year with a focus on being more active.

If you would like to come and visit the Nursery and meet the teachers please contact Head Teacher Jean McCarthy on: Tel. 874358. Also visit our website at: www. duchal.com to keep up to date with all the latest news.

PHOTO - Pupils out walking on their “Daily Mile”

We are looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year at the beginning of the month – which usually involves lots of messy fun with chopsticks – wish us luck!!

During assembly the children will be given opportunities to show off something Scottish which they have been learning in their own time out with the classroom.

Howwood Playgroup

We have started to go out to the playground to do ‘The Daily Mile’. This is where children walk or run every day in the school playground. Pupils run/walk in their outdoor gear and do not need to bring a change of shoes or clothes to do this. Everyone is encouraged to walk briskly and those who can run are encouraged to do so. Studies show that it is an effective way of tackling the rising levels of childhood obesity.

Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am

every Thursday Houston Toddlers

Church Hall, Main Street, Houston

Pop along and see us from 9.30-11.30am

Kilmacolm Playgroup

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm, 9.15am-11.40am

Howwood Playgroup

Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am

every Friday Langbank Under 3’s

Church Hall, Langbank 10am-11.45am For children from birth to 3 years

1st & 3rd Friday Renfrewshire Inverclyde Twins Club McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch 1011.30am £3. Bring a mug along for a cuppa.

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Inside the school we are having a Scottish focus. All classes are learning Scottish dances during PE time as well as preparing for our Burns Celebration, where each class will perform for each other. Some are learning a Scottish poem, whilst others will be singing a song.

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Kilmacolm Playgroup & Toddlers We wouldn’t normally wish for snow on a Playgroup day, in case it stops us getting there and seeing our friends, but sometimes just a little can be fun! Here we are experimenting with making a “snowcastle” and looking for buried treasure. Everyone had great fun and, as well as enjoying the pouring and building, tactile play can be very therapeutic - and there are also lots of little mathematical and scientific concepts being explored in the background. That is one of the reasons why we always have the play dough out, so that we can mould it and play with friends or an adult or just experiment on our own if we feel like it. A good part of a Playgroup morning is devoted to free play so that the children can make their own choices about what to do and who with, which builds a great variety of social and conversational skills. Visits welcome at any time to see what we get up to!

Playgroup runs on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the Lesser Hall of St Columba Church. For more information, contact Emma at emma@ kehoes.com.

Our Toddler and Baby group runs on Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11.30am, also in the Lesser Hall. Come along for a play, a chat and a cup of tea, as well as the chance to make some new friends. For babies and toddlers aged 0 to 3 years. For more information contact Beth at thebbles@ hotmail.com.

Baby Room - We hope you all had a lovely Christmas & New Year. We have started off the new year learning about shapes and the children are being provided with lots of opportunities to explore. They have been making shape collages, taking part in fun art & craft activities, looking at picture books and exploring shape jigsaws. We will also be learning about colours throughout this month and planning lots of fun activities.

Tweenie Room - The children in the Tweenie Room are enjoying exploring the outdoors this month.

They have been taking part in walks in the woods and feeding the ducks and swans at the pond.

Our topic is all about me which is encouraging the children’s self-awareness, improving their personal development and is promoting a homelink.

Pedestrians must ensure that they are well prepared for winter and dress appropriately for the temperature. It’s important to ensure that the pavement outside your home is safe to walk on and clear of ice or snow. You should also wear shoes or boots with non-slip soles and consider wearing reflective or bright-coloured clothing so that other road users are able to see you when it’s dark or visibility is poor.

Follow all traffic signs and signals and before you step off the kerb at crossings, make sure any oncoming vehicles have come to a complete stop. It is dangerous to try and run across the road as you may not be aware of dangers such as ice, pot holes or deep puddles that can cause injury. Keep in mind that vehicles can take up to ten times longer to stop on slippery surfaces, so don’t make any sudden movements and give motorists plenty of time.

Do not cross the road while distracted, for example, whilst using your phone.

If walking home, particularly late at night, make sure someone knows when you are expected to arrive at your destination in case something happens which leaves you exposed to freezing temperatures longer than planned.

For more visit http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/road-safety/winter-road-safety

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots We continue to enjoy a large turn-out of tots with their adults each week and have a large variety of toys and a bouncy castle to amuse them and lots of tea/coffee for the adults. There is a waiting list at present, with priority given to Kilbarchan and Brookfield tots.

We have been taking part in lots of activities such as, ice chipping, profile masks and making yummy chocolate truffles to take home.

Rising 5’s - Rising 5’s have welcomed some new friends into our room this month and we are having great fun getting to know them and help them settle in. Our topic is our environment, where the children will be learning about the

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Advice for Pedestrians

Hats or scarves that cover your ears can also distort or eliminate the muffled sounds of approaching vehicles, so it is important to take extra care when crossing the road or checking for traffic. Keep warm but make sure that you are fully aware of what’s going on around you.

Woodlands Day Nursery

world around them, starting with the nursery community.

We will be exploring the nursery gardens, hunting for insects, bugs and looking at different plants. We will also be promoting recycling, allowing the children to bring materials in from home to make models with and talking about looking after the environment.

Winter Safety

Kilbarchan Community Nursery The children have now settled back after their Christmas break. In January we took part in Money week, with Kilbarchan Primary. Children from the nursery took part in lots of activities including, making coin pictures, counting coins and playing in the role play shop. Primary 1 children visited the nursery and bought a book to take home.

Our new topic is Weather and the children have been using our new weather station in the garden to record rainfall, measure the wind speed and monitor the temperature.

21/01/2016 10:55:17

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St Columba’s School Ski Trip to Austria

Musical Celebration

In January a group of pupils and staff took the School’s first ski trip in over 20 years. During their five days in Austria pupils enjoyed the wonderful skiing conditions on the slopes and the various evening entertainment offered such as swimming, bowling, karaoke, quizzes, games and sightseeing in Salzburg.

Just before the start of the holidays, St Columba’s held their popular Musical Celebration at Greenock’s Town Hall. Pupils showcased their musical talent performing pieces for soloists, ensembles, choirs, orchestra and pipe band.

This was a wonderful evening in the run-up to Christmas and the income from ticket sales directly benefits the School’s bursary fund.

The blue skies, ideal skiing conditions and hospitality of everyone at the resort combined to make this an unforgettable trip.

Development Despite the wet winter weather the development of the Senior School campus is progressing well.

Parents and pupils were presented with a short video that demonstrates how the new classrooms, library and various spaces in the new extension to the Senior School campus will look.

For more information on the project please visit http://www.st-columbas. org/page/Current_Developments. aspx.

You can read more news at www.st-columbas.org

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21/01/2016 10:55:22

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february 2016

47 47

Johnstone Pipe Band Band uniforms (kilt, tweed jacket, waistcoat and hat badge) are supplied to new members (there are twenty new members this year), and are repaired and replaced as required (some of the band members are still growing).

Bag pipe bags and reeds have to be replaced on a regular basis, and the drums are replaced every three years.

Johnstone Pipe Band was founded in 1943, and at the moment, the team consists of two bands. The senior band, which won the World Pipe Band Championships in Grade 3A in 2014, and, in their very first season in Grade 2, won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2015. The senior band will compete at Grade 2 in the 2016 season, and the plan is to compete as a Grade 1 band, from 2017.

A sponsor’s name will be guaranteed high level exposure at national and international events, in the local and national media-newspapers and television. That name will also be connected to an organisation with a reputation for dedication and excellence.

The sponsor will have the opportunity support a band that has a proud history, and, to help to shape Johnstone Pipe Band’s future.

Jennifer SN Buchan, Fundraising Committee, 01505 612300/07889 796360 jenniferbuchan@btinternet.com website: www.johnstonepipeband.co.uk

The junior band competed for the first time in the 2015 season, as a Grade 4B band, and the vision is for the junior band to be competing as Grade 3 by 2018. Between the two bands, there are seventy-six pipers and drummers.

For the past four years, volunteers at Johnstone Pipe Band have run weekly education classes in piping and drumming, in which pupils receive expert tuition, and sit the associated exams. At the moment they have over thirty learners, and no matter the social or financial background that the pupils come from, it is important to them, that everyone who has the talent and aptitude for a musical instrument, should be encouraged to play. The students are awarded nationally recognised qualifications, by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Johnstone Pipe Band also supplies the piping teacher for 150 pupils in Renfrewshire Schools. As they head into the New Year, the bands are looking forward to a season with their biggest ever team, which, in turn, provides challenges of it’s own.

Search for a Sponsor This year, for the team to reach its optimum potential, they are looking for a major sponsor.

44-51 SCHOOLS-SPORTS_257_FEB16.ind.indd 47

21/01/2016 10:55:26

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Bridge of Weir Primary This month sees the school kick off with a Highland fling! All things Scottish are being celebrated as pupils learn Scots poetry and songs with a touch of Burns thrown in for good measure. The focus is our Senior Citizens concert which will take place at the beginning of February. The grandparents of Bridge of Weir will be regaled with “The Sair Finger” and “You Cannae Shove Your Grannie Aff A Bus” along with many more old favourites. Mrs Bell also said that a big draw to this event is the amazing shortbread that is provided!!

P6 had a busy day attending the Glasgow Science Centre where, continuing with the Scottish theme, the pupils learned more about their current topic ‘The Clyde’. Ryan and Olivia explained how they received a talk from the scientists on brown trout and the conditions they require to live and stay healthy. This should aid the pupils as very shortly the school will be receiving some fish eggs of their own. Two tanks will provide an artificial environment for hatching fish eggs. Pupils will learn exactly what conditions they need to survive and the importance of maintaining these factors so the eggs will hatch and the fish grow. Eventually the fish will be released back into the Clyde. Bridge of Weir Primary is one of the first schools to embark on such a project.

Congratulations are deserved for P7 who raised an incredible £735 for Phantasanja, the orphanage in Thailand. They did this by organising a ‘Bring and Buy’ sale at the school. It takes £4000 a year to run the orphanage which the school along with the local community supports. A great effort!

It is all go at Houston Primary Forest Education Programme - This session another block of Forest Schools commences. The pupils will be going out to explore the local woodland environment as part of the school’s Forest Education Programme led by Acting Depute Head Teacher Mrs McPherson and her forest team. The children will experience nature first hand, whilst making links with other areas of the curriculum. They will be learning the skill of whittling, fire making and cooking outdoors. The groups that have already experienced this programme thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors in all weathers squelching through the mud. However the highlight of toasting marshmallows over the campfire at the end of the block was a particular favourite. iPads - Our second batch of iPads have arrived, much to the delight of our pupils. The Primary 6 Techno Team have been working in the nursery teaching the children how to play games on the iPads to enhance their learning of shape, number, rhyme and animals. They have also been helping the teachers to set up in infant classes too. What a team they are!

Back to School - A new year begins with children back to school working hard. The Primary 1 pupils are learning how to be financial whizz kids in their new topic in maths about money. Primary 2 are learning about Houses and plan to visit the Cala building site to observe the workmen at the construction site. Primary 3 are learning about the Synagogue and the Jewish faith. Primary 4 have started to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and are looking forward to making real chocolates of their own.

Primary 5 are learning about road safety and the importance of wearing reflective clothing whilst out in the dark. Primary 6 are preparing for our Scottish afternoon and have been practising playing the bagpipes, highland dancing and poetry recital. Primary 7 are embarking on a joint drama project with St. Fillan’s Primary. They will be working with the Citizens Theatre for the next eight week on their production of Divided City.

Solar Panels - The school has additional work going on with solar panels being fitted to the roof. This has been a perfect learning opportunity for the Primary 2 scientists who have been out observing the works and interviewing the workmen. They asked lots of very interesting questions about the scissor lift that was taking the men and the equipment they needed up onto the roof. Let’s hope we get lots of Houston sunshine to make it a profitable installation.

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Gryffe High - Young Musician of the Year 2016 In keeping with tradition, many pupils went through the qualifying rounds for a place in the prestigious finals of the Young Musician of the year event. The competition is divided into three sections Junior, Intermediate and Senior.

There were eleven Finalists and they provided an amazing standard of musical talent. As well as working to perfect their pieces and playing to a filled theatre, the pupils benefit from the very experienced adjudication of Mr David Murray.

Mr Murray provides the pupils with a very detailed and considered assessment of their performance on the night. This is always in the form of constructive comments and is delivered in a warm, well spirited manner and always with a smile and words of encouragement and humour! ‘Have a wee check of chord 41 when you next get a chance!’

Instruments included the Spanish guitar, violin, piano, clarinet, electric guitar, flute and the drums. Performers were introduced by Holly Stephen (S4) and John Reader (S5). Members of the S6 Pupil Management Group helped with welcoming guests and providing refreshments at interval.

Mr Murray commented on the consistent high standard of music and how all of the performers made his job a difficult one.

Mr Johnson thanked the pupils, Mr Murray and the music department for a fantastic evening.

Our congratulations goes to ALL of the finalists for achieving such a high standard.

Well done to winners- Junior – Christian Galvin S1 – Spanish Guitar; ‘Landler - Mertz’ on; Intermediate – Jasmine Galvin S4 – Piano; ‘Sicilienne – Paradis’; Senior – Hannah Dardis S6 – Clarinet; ‘Prelude from Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite – Paul Reade’

Gryffe High - Modern Studies go to the High Court Fourteen of our Modern Studies pupils took part in the Citizenship Foundation’s Bar Mock Trial Competition at the High Court in Glasgow. They took on the roles of witnesses and lawyers to compete against schools from around the country. Our pupils spent months preparing two court cases for the competition.

By the time the competition came around they knew the cases inside out and were equipped with some challenging questions for the opposition. It was a great opportunity for our pupils to develop their public speaking, teamwork and critical thinking skills. It also helped to further their Modern studies knowledge of Crime and Law which forms

part of our National 5 and Advanced Higher course (running next year). Finally our pupils learned more about law, for example they learned how to question a friendly witness and how this compares to a cross examination. The pupils put on a fantastic performance.

Miss H Rowan - Modern Studies

21/01/2016 10:55:29

Why not 614080.

Brookfield Curling Club www.advertizer.co.uk

february 2016

49 49 .

Why not fill up those long winter evenings with a new sport or revive old skills? Interested in taking up Curling? All standards welcome. For information, telephone 01505 614080.

Despite the fact that golf has been difficult recently due to the very wet weather, December has been a busy month at Ranfurly Castle.

On the 5th of the month over 30 children braved the monsoon conditions to attend the children’s Christmas party. They were kept busy by an entertainer with lots of games before enjoying the party food. Santa Clause paid a visit and all the children must have been very good because all received a lovely gift.

On Wednesday 9th the Ladies had planned to play a Christmas 9 hole competition but, beaten by the weather, 36 Ladies gathered for a fun quiz instead. This was a bit trickier than many had hoped for but the over all winners were Marion Munro and Anne Nicoll. Everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion by wearing Xmas costumes and the prize for the best dressed went to Helen Abram who came as Mary with Baby Jesus.

On the evening of 10th December the Club held a CPR training event which included instructions and a demonstration in the use of the Defibrillator. This evening was very well attended and another evening is planned for January to accommodate those who were disappointed not to be included.

The week beginning the 11th of January saw Ranfurly Castle holding their Annual General Meetings over several evenings. First was the Junior AGM which was well attended by both parents and Junior boys and girls. The evening was conducted by Jack Snell, the Junior Convener, and two of the Annual Trophies were presented. Simon Ferry, the outgoing Junior Captain, presented the Badge of Office to Angus Frood, the Junior Captain for 2016.

The Club AGM was held on Wednesday 13th January with proceedings being conducted by Chairman of the Board Fraser Clearie. As usual the meeting was very well attended and outgoing Captain Alan Gordon presented the badge of Office to Paul Morrell, Captain of the Club for 2016. Paul, who is a retired British Airways pilot, was delighted to be able to begin his acceptance speech with the words ‘This is your Captain speaking’ and have an audience that was keen to listen to what he had to say!

Pamela Mackenzie - Vice Captain Joy McLeod - Ladies Captain Vicky Rennie - Past Ladies Captain

Finally the Ladies Section held their AGM on Thursday 14th.

Outgoing Captain Vicky Rennie gave the Annual Report to an audience of 50 Ladies before welcoming the incoming Ladies Captain, Joy McLeod. The evening concluded with the Annual Prize Giving and presentation of all Trophies.

Why not fill up those long winter evenings with a new sport or revive old skills? Interested in taking up Curling?

Junior Captain, Angus Frood & Outgoing Captain ,Simon Ferry

Allison and Jean Murray winners of The McLachlan Cup

Football Training Tuesday & Thursday nights at Johnstone High School astro between 6pm and 9pm - football training for players of all age groups & abilities. For further details please call Ali McMaster on 07775 578795, e: Glentyanthistlefc@gmail.com or visit our website: www.glentyanthistle.co.uk

44-51 SCHOOLS-SPORTS_257_FEB16.ind.indd 49

Brookfield Curling Club

All standards welcome. telephone 01505 614080.

For

information,

Sat Sweep Curling Every Saturday until 2 April, from 11.45am 2.15pm at intu Braehead, Renfrew. Price: £10 in advance and online only. £15 on the day, subject to availability. Ticket includes introduction to curling, warm up and game. Please bring a warm jumper, clean pair of trainers and a sense of fun! The curling rink is located on the upper mall of Braehead Shopping Centre between McDonald’s & Pizza Hut. Open to all standard of curlers from beginners up to expert level.

Table Tennis Houston Village Hall on Monday nights from 7.30pm 9.30pm.

All welcome. Donation £2. Call Mark on 07968 052538.

21/01/2016 10:55:34

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Castle Semple Sailing Club

Gail Ashley School of Dance

Night out and Prize Giving

The children of Gail Ashley school of Dance held a morning of Dance in the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm, the weekend before Christmas, to entertain family and friends.

In early November 30 members enjoyed an excellent Saturday evening in a local restaurant. The atmosphere general camaraderie of usual comments flying around made for a memorable evening.

Arthur and Steve presided over the prize giving (a full list of winners is available on the website www.castlesemplesc.co.uk).

After the meal and an entertaining caption photo competition with prizes equal in merit to the captions!, a dozen or so members sauntered across the road and moved on to the ceilidh being held in the McKillop Hall and spent the rest of the evening reeling (!) round the dance floor before staggering to their homes sometime after midnight.

The Whacky Winchester Winter Pursuit Series (“WWWPS”) The following Sunday morning saw the start of the Winter Pursuit Series.

So far after 7 or so weeks after the first weeks’ racing was abandoned, due to extreme conditions resulting in a broken rudder, a capsize and a damaged hull (after being pierced by a bowsprit), only one other Sunday so far has seen no racing. The most taking part in any one race being 7 boats.

The series so far has enticed 15 helms to take part.

New Year Walk A dozen members and 1 dog gathered on time for a bracing walk along the promenade at Largs.

We were all looking forward to a nice coffee and scone on our return to the marina. Unfortunately the cafe was closed.....A quick phone call confirmed that the Seamill Hydro was open so a short drive down the road to West Kilbride it was. Some people headed off afterwards but a few enjoyed a walk along the seashore before heading home.

50th Anniversary 2016 is the Club’s 50th Anniversary. Since the Club was first formed in 1966 it has gone through many changes and membership is currently at an all time high and we are hoping this will continue in 2016 especially with the Olympics and America’s Cup this year. If you are interested in joining us or would like to come along for a chat please email via our website : www/castlesemplesc.co.uk

2015 Winners of series Winter Series - Angus Winchester; Spring Wednesday - Gold, Steve Davision; Silver Brian Young Jim Gordon Series - Gold, Angus Winchester; Silver, Brian Young (and Alan Falconer) Summer Wednesday - Gold, Arthur Logan; Silver, Brian Young (and Alan Falconer) Summer Sunday - Gold, Douglas McQuilken; Silver, Brian Young (and Alan Falconer) Autumn Wednesday - Gold. Graeme Hall; Silver, Hugh Russell

The girls showed their class work, exam work and performed Christmas Dances. All the dancers hard work was rewarded and fun was had by everyone. Proud parents watched as the children received their exam certificates.

The school achieved high marks and a 100% pass rate. Well done girls. www.gailashleyschoolofdance.co.uk

Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July - The BHF Scotland is bringing back its Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek after a successful first year in 2015. Make your mark in the fight for every heartbeat and join BHF Scotland by walking 100k from Glasgow to Edinburgh non-stop in 30 hours. Entries are now open for the 2nd Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek which is taking place on 30 and 31 July.

Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek is a challenging and fun way to support the nation’s heart charity, save lives and improve your own heart health at the same time. It’s one of the most demanding best events in the calendar and a great challenge to take on to help the BHF Scotland fight back against coronary heart disease – Scotland’s single biggest killer. Walk day and night and experience stunning views, atmospheric pathways, moonlit canals and shadowy tunnels in this unforgettable adventure.

You’ll pass numerous famous landmarks and sites along the route, including Kelvingrove Museum and Park, locks on the Forth and Clyde canal, the Falkirk Wheel and Linlithgow Palace before arriving in the capital.

As ever we are indebted to Paul of O’Neills of Paisley for supplying the various trophies.

The BHF Scotland hopes to raise £60,000 from the Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek to help fund essential research which can create a better future for the thousands of families in Scotland affected by heart disease. At the moment, the BHF is spending £57million on research in Scotland alone.

Also congratulations to Kirsten and Chris for winning the Bonspeil held at Greenacres earlier in the year.

Entry fees: £50 for adults and young people aged 16 or over.

Autumn Sunday - Gold, Steve Davison; Silver, Brian Young Congratulations to Arthur being the winner of the O’Neill GP14 Trophy.

For further information and to sign up please visit bhf.org.ukG2Etrek To register call 0845 130 8663 or email events@bhf.org.uk

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21/01/2016 10:55:38

www.advertizer.co.uk

february 2016

51 51

Houston United every

Monday

Kilbarchan Athletic Club On-X, Linwood, 7pm

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.

5-a-side Football

Powerleague Paisley 6pm Tel: Jim on 01505 874215; or jimbretherton@aol.com

We are looking for new players to come along and tryout for our team.

Training sessions are Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the On-X sports centre in Linwood from 7pm until 8pm every week. If you are interested, please call Colin on 07989 987312.

Kilmacolm Golf Club - Learn to play golf - FREE! Winter Safety

Bridge of Weir Ladies Badminton Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, 7.30pm

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 7.15pm

Advice for Cyclists

Strathgryffe Motorcycle Club

Poor road conditions at winter can affect cyclists as well as drivers.

It’s important that all road users are mindful of the effects that poor weather can have on their ability to navigate the road safely.

The Trust Inn, Kilbarchan 9pm-10.30pm Visit www.strathgryffe.org for details.

The Shotokan Karate Club

Woodlands Primary School, Linwood, 7pm - 8pm & 8pm - 9pm. www.linwoodkarate.co.uk

every Tuesday

Bridge of Weir Walking Group Outside the Co-op, BoW 10.30am

1 hour walks. Call Senga on 0141 842 3000.

Gryffe Badminton

Strathgryffe Tennis Club, 8pm

Football Training

Johnstone High School 6pm-9pm Call Ali on 07775 578795 for details

every

Wednesday

Greenock Hockey Club

Inverclyde Academy, Greenock, 6.30pm-8pm Contact Liz Baldwin, mobile 07944 607005

Callanetics

B rookfield V illage H all , 5.15, 6.15 & 7.30pm

every Thursday

Kilbarchan Athletic Club On-X, Linwood, 7pm

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.

Kilmacolm Walkers

Birkmyre Park Pavilion, Kilmacolm 10am David 01505 874192 kilmacolmwalkers@talktalk.net

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 9.15am & 10.30am

The Shotokan Karate Club Woodlands Primary. Linwood 7pm - 8pm & 8pm - 9pm www.linwoodkarate.co.uk

Football Training

Johnstone High School 6pm-9pm Call Ali on 07775 578795 for details

every

Friday

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 9.15am & 10.30am

18 Movement (Tai Chi) Chi Kung

St Fillans Church Hall, Moss Rd, Kilmacolm 10.15am-11.15am Gentle, relaxing exercise class. 0141 954 2456.

every

Saturday

Adult Tap Lessons

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm. lunchtime.

Call Gail Ashley on 01475 531336 for details

every

Sunday

Birkmyre Rugby Club, Kilmacolm Youth Rugby Section 11am-1pm www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkmyre

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Kilmacolm Golf Club is once again offering its “Introduction to Golf” sessions which are aimed at beginners or those returning to the game, and will cover the basics including, set up and grip, putting, chipping, iron play and driving.

You should ensure that you and your bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights and by wearing bright and light reflective clothes.

The sessions give anyone interested in trying golf the ideal opportunity to give it a go alongside people in a similar situation in a relaxed environment.

After the 10 week taster sessions, follow up coaching and the option to take up introduction to golf membership will be available.

The programme starts on February 4th and runs each Thursday (7-8pm) until April 7th and will be held in St. Columba’s Church Hall, Kilmacolm with the final two weeks up on the driving range at Kilmacolm Golf Club. The sessions are open for adults and children from aged 9 (accompanied by an adult) and all equipment is provided.

Please note that anyone who attended last year’s classes is more than welcome to come along!

If you are interested in signing up or know someone who would, please contact the pro shop on 01505 872695.

Sporting Blog

Get a good set of mud guards and consider heavy duty tyres with a deeper tread to cope with slippery surfaces as it can take longer to stop in poor weather. You should also invest in warm, waterproof clothing that does not impact your ability to cycle including gloves that will still allow you to switch gears and use the brakes easily.

For more visit http://www.scotland.police. uk/keep-safe/road-safety/winter-roadsafety

by Lesley Handley

Motivation....

More than 50% of people who begin an exercise 2. program drop out within the first 6 months. The question is, “Why?” What is it about sticking to a fitness routine that causes so many people to abandon it?

The answer? Motivation. They don’t want health and fitness badly enough. It is a simple fact of human psychology that if we want something badly enough, we’ll do everything we can to get it.

3.

Your challenge is to find out what motivates you to get serious about fitness and stick with it.

You do not have to be part of that percentage who quit. You 4. can stay committed and finish strong; it is all about finding out what motivates you personally.

Here are some possible motivators for you.

1.

To look better. Appearance isn’t everything, but most of us care how we look. A strong and healthy person looks good, and it isn’t all physical; your demeanour will change as you develop the confidence that comes from the discipline of fitness. You will appear more energetic and confident because you will be more energetic and confident!

To relieve stress. Exercising really does cause physical changes in your brain and nervous system that results in feelings of calmness and well-being. In fact, you may get so hooked on the mental benefits of exercise that you will crave it!

To be strong. If you have never done focused weight training, then you won’t know of the total transformation that you can feel after just a few weeks. And by getting strong now, you reduce your risk of age-related falls and fractures because you have the core strength and balance to keep yourself stable.

For your health. Consistent exercise and healthy eating are the two best things you can do for your health. You will develop a strong, healthy heart, reduce your chances of many Lesley cancers, prevent diabetes, keep a sharp mind For more information on any aspect of health and and resist dementia and avoid many of the fitness or personal training contact me on 07736 274 common ailments that come with aging. It is 925 or e-mail Lesley@fitsmartfitness.co.uk. possible to age without decay, and the key to this is exercise and eating well.

21/01/2016 10:55:41

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CHILDCARE Kilmacolm/Quarriers area registered childminders. P/time or F/time vacancies for u-5’s and after school. T: 873839.

Houston registered childminders. For an informal chat to find your best childcare, call Elizabeth Waddell T: 614925

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Advertising throughout The Gryffe Advertizer:

Fri 12 Feb

March ‘16 ISSUE: • Deadline: 12 February • Delivery: 26 February April ‘16 ISSUE: • Deadline: 18 March • Delivery: 1 April

february 2016

churches

BRIDGE OF WEIR

Freeland Church: Rev KN Gray BA BD. Morning Ser vice 10.30am. Crèche, Sunday School, Lynx and Cornerstone.

Eveing Service 7pm www.freeland.org.uk St Mary’s Church Scottish Episcopal Church: Delighting to praise God; Showing Christ’s love; Growing in faith.

Services Sundays at 10am. we have a regular cycle of prayer for those who live and work in Bridge of Weir. For further information, to ask for special prayers, or in pastoral emergency, please call the Rector on 01475 705378 St Machar’s Ranfurly Church: Rev Suzanne Dunleavy BD DipEd. Sunday ser vices 10 . 3 0 a m . H e a r i n g a i d loop system. www. stmacharsranfurlychurch. org.uk All welcome.

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

ELDERSLIE

Elderslie Kirk: Sunday service every week at 11am. Minister Rev Robin Allison. All welcome.

Weekly meetings:- Monday Club every week from 12noon - 2.30pm. Light lunch and a varied activity programme.

Midweek Fellowship will meet every Wed from 10.30am for Tea/Coffee followed by a short Service of Worship at 11am.

HOUSTON

Houston Baptist Church at Carrick Centre: 11am Family services with SS for children age 5-12; 6pm Eve Service; Mid-week Home Bible Study; For more information contact; R e v D S n e l s o n 01 5 0 5 612722.

Houston and Killellan Kirk: Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity no SC 012822. www. h o u s to n k i rk . o r g 7 t h Fe b - 9.45am Early Ser vice: The Sacrament of Holy Communion. 11am Morning Worship. 14 Feb - 11am Morning Worship. 21 Feb - 11am Morning Worship Guest Minister: Rev Agnes A Moore BD. 28 Feb - 9.45am Early Service 11am Morning Worship St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston: Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat) 5 p m , 9 . 3 0 a m & 11 a m .

Weekday Mass: Tues-Sat 9.30am except Thurs, 7pm.

Re c o n c i l i a t i o n : S a t 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 Mar y Frances Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514).

“Abbotsfield”, St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. T: 01505 612046, F: 01505 610556. E: parish@stfillan. org.uk. www.stfillan.org.uk Church of the Nazarene: Village Hall, Main St, Houston PA6 7EL. Rev Benito S Coetzee.

Family services at 10.30am with full toddler, children & youth activities running concurrently with the service.

Youth meets at 6.30pm-8pm on Sundays. Word and Table Quiet Service held from 9am9.30am every 3rd Sunday. www.houston.nazarene.org.uk

HOWWOOD

Howwood Parish Churc h: Sunday Service will start at 10am and there will be a prayer meeting at 3 Bowfield Way on Fridays at 7.30pm.

• 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.

KILBARCHAN

Kilbarchan Parish Church Minister: - Rev Stephen Smith.

All services in the church buildings off Steeple Square.

Morning worship on Sundays at 11am. Midweek Fellowship on Wednesdays from 10.30am in the small hall. Crèche, Junior Church and FEWsion meet at 10.45am. All will be made most welcome.

KILMACOLM Kilmacolm Old Kirk: Church of Scotland (Charity n o . S C 0 0 9 2 91 ) . w w w. kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk.

Minister Rev Dr Peter McEnhill (01505 873174). Morning Worship - Sundays 11am, all welcome Sunday School & Crèche available.

St Columba Church of Scotland: ( c h a r i t y n o S C 0 07 9 9 2 ) Morning Worship Sundays at 11am.

St Colm’s Catholic Church, Smithy Brae Kilmacolm.

Rev Vincent Byrne. Family mass Sundays 10am with children’s liturgy, followed by tea and coffee. Eucharistic service Thursdays 10.30am.

Rosary Tuesdays 6.30pm.

Prayer group meets Thursdays 7.30pm. Further information and contact details www. stcolmsparish.co.uk. All welcome.

Grace Church Kilmacolm: in association with the Free Church of Scotland - Sunday S e r v i c e a t 10 . 3 0 a m i n Kilmacolm Scout Hut - all welcome.

Buddhist meetings: Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. Phone Margaret on 01505 871343.

St Fillan’s Episcopal Church (in Anglican Communion): Everyone welcome at our Church in Moss Road. The Rector is the Revd David Gifford and the Associate P r i e s t t h e Rev d H e l l e r Gonzalez (resident in Kilmacolm Rectory). Regular Sunday Service 11.30am with monthly Evensong on last Sundays at 6pm. Family Service 11.30am on the last Sunday of the month. Contact Maureen Russell (Pastoral Assistant) 01505 872905.

LANGBANK

Langbank Parish Church: Rev Dr Ken Forrest. Sunday Services 10am with Sunday School, Creche and young people’s group, the Welcomers. Tea/ coffee af ter the service.

Church ser vice star ts at 10am. Come along and meet in the Hall from 9.50am.

Charity No SC015085.

LOCHWINNOCH

Parish Church: Rev May Bell.

11.30am Morning Service Sunday School and Crèche.

Calder United Free Church: (Church St Lochwinnoch) S u n d ay : 11 a m M o r n i n g worship with Sunday School and Crèche. 6.30pm Evening Fellowship group, 7.30pm ABC’s Teen group. Wed 6.30pm-7.30pm.

Spiritualist Church,Lochlip Rd: All services commence 7.30pm.

QUARRIERS

Mount Zion Church: Law View Road, Quarriers Village. Rev Andy Lunn BSc, 10.30am with Junior Church and Bible Class.

Wednesdays prayer and bible study at 7pm. Fridays prayer and bible study at 10am. Why not come and discover the heart of Christianity with us?

21/01/2016 14:13:59

54

the advertizer

Items For Sale Household & Garden Mahogany extending table & 6 chairs, inc 2 carvers.

Chestnut coloured upholstery. Table 91X167cm and 91x213cm when extended. Good condition with general wear and tear.

Collection only. £125. Tel: 01505 671393.

Mahogany display cabinet with glass fronted cupboards and drinks cabinet above and cupboards/ drawers below. The unit has integrated lights. In very good condition. Dimensions are width 201cm, height 189cm and depth 38cm. Collection only. £85.

Tel: 01505 671393.

Pink Peppa bed + mattress + bedding hardly used.

Smoke and pet free home. £50 Tel: 01505 625726 / 07533 648736.

Console Table: Beautiful Marks & Spencer dark wood console table, immaculate condition, measurements 75cm tall, 35cm depth, 125cm wide. Cost £500 sell for £75. Tel: 01505 690658.

Next brown leather 2 seater sofa in excellent condition, £50. Tel: 01475 540159 or 07837 778040.

Kudox type 21 double panel radiators, 2 of still wrapped, 800 x 500, £60 the pair.

Tel: 07939 692722.

Xmas Tree 7’6” Salsburg.

Only 2 years old. Cost £90, sell for £25. Tel: 01505 326230.

Pine dining/kitchen table 80” 145cm; 4 chairs; unwanted.

Good condition; open to offers. Tel: 07786 818936.

Aroco (or similar) White Ceramic Shower Tray -1170 x 800mm complete Shower Cabinet. Very good condition. Price new over £1,000. Will accept £250.

Tel: 01505 873295.

Aluminium Greenhouse 14’ x 8’ (430cm x 245cm).

Glass complete. Sliding door. Opening windows. £150. Buyer dismantles (Houston). Tel: 01505 615818.

Two seater sofa Bed in excellent condition, coffee table, bookcase. Items sold together or individually. £175.

Tel. 07828 456890 Gazebo cream canvas, 3mx3m. VGC. Tel: 01505 702023 or 07850 125609 Mattress Super King Size still wrapped in makers packaging Foam Silentnight £120.

Tel: 07791 688240.

Super King Size Slatted Bed Frame as new £120. Tel: 07791 688240.

Ikea King Size Sprung Firm Mattress seldom used £80.

Tel: 07791 688240.

King Size Slatted Bed Frame modern £80. Tel: 07791 688240.

20 kitchen unit handles.

Straight D shaped stainless steel 160mm. £40.

Tel: 01505 613033.

Beautiful lounge suite - 3 seater settee, 2 armchairs, footstool. Designer furniture - Piaf. Stylish chrome frame, upholstery recovered recently - chocolate brown. Excellent condition £250. Tel. 07986 118479.

Mirror - bevelled glass. 41 inches x 53 inches. Light wooden frame. Excellent condition. £70. Tel. 07986 118479.

t: 01505 613340

Electrical & Gas Washing Machine Hotpoint white good condition. £80.

Tel: 07791 688240 BoW. Frigidare Freezer Elite 6 Drawers. £75 ono. Tel: 01475 540624.

Whirlpool Fridge. £50 ono.

Tel: 01475 540624.

Bosch fridge. Integrated.

Frost free. Excellent cond. £80. Tel: 07986 118479.

Bosch Dishwasher and Washer/Dryer. £50 each.

Buyer uplifts. Tel: 01505 872597.

Sports Ladies new white ice skating boots. Size 5. Offers for charity. Tel: 01505 506385.

Kids Apollo Bike (20”) - ideal age 5-8. Exc cond, good as new. Cost £120 sell for £25.

Tel: 01505 690658.

Vintage Raleigh gents Bikes circa 1950-1970 sit up & beg, rod brakes enclosed chain guard Sturmey Archer hub gears. Amazing cond. £100 each. Tel: 07791 688240.

Toys/Games/DVD Boys red raleigh scooter 12” wheels good condition £25.

Tel: 01505 706855 Megablocks halo unsc rocket warthog (boxed) £10. Tel: 01505 706855.

Megablocks halo covenant wraith (boxed). £15. Tel: 01505 706855.

Megablocks halo covenant phantom (boxed) £30. Tel: 01505 706855.

Lego technic buggy model no 8048 (boxed) £20. Tel: 01505 706855.

Scrabble board game - still wrapped Age 10+. £7. Tel: 01505 706855.

Minotaurus lego game £7.

Tel: 01505 706855.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Kids french for beginners book with cd £5. Tel: 01505 706855.

Set 8 weird & wacky history box set £5. Tel: 01505 706855.

Other Items Apple I Phone 5 black in Red Leather flip case EE T Mobile Virgin. Good working condition overall. £135. Tel: 07791 688240.

Bridge of Weir.

Cast Iron Baxi Windermere Stove Gas fired Coal burning. Brand new never used. £120. Tel: 07791 688240.

Jaguar XJ6 1980s car parts for sale, exhaust, bumpers, instruments & much more offers when seen. Tel: 07791 688240.

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.

Yamaha DT 175 MX & DT 125 MX. Yamaha RD 250, 350 & 500 - running or not.

Cash waiting. Free collection. Tel: 07951 227767.

Cash paid for Copy of book Castles and mansions of Renfrewshire and Buteshire by AH Millar. Tel 01505 331094.

Black dining room table. Tel: 01505 506385.

Queen Anne style wingback chair wanted - any condition. Tel: 07909 337676 - please leave voicemail with your contact details if unanswered.

Free

Cy c l e

3 stair gates. Tel: 01505 690610.

TV stand, beech colour, with frosted glass shelves and 2 small drawers. Tel: 07904 792896.

Medium/large plastic dog bed. Tel: 07904 792896.

you can contact us @GryffeAds using #Advertizer

or by email info@advertizer.co.uk or phone 01505 613340

ADVERTISING 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 and post to The Gryffe 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.

52-55 CLASSIFIED_257_FEB16.ind.indd 54

L O CA L IN F O R M A T I O N 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 7pm. www.bridgeofweir.org BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: 7.30pm in February, April, June, August, October and December on 2nd Thursday of the month.

HOUSTON: Carrick Centre: 3rd Wed at 7.30pm www.houstoncommcouncil@yahoo.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

community halls to let Bridge of Weir, Freeland Church. Tel: 612245 Brookfield, Village Hall. Tel: 335562.

Houston, Carrick Centre. Tel: 612203 / 331488 Houston, Compass Centre. Tel: 615441 / 612617 Kilbarchan, Guide Centre. Tel: 702758.

Kilbarchan, Old Library Centre. Tel: 706070 Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 873994 Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Tel: 874428 Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 873059 Linwood Masonic Hall. Tel: 07825 222944

Please add your community hall details to our list email to info@advertizer.co.uk

local

councillors

RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Ward 7 - Johnstone South, Elderslie & Howwood: Cllrs John Caldwell, John Hood, Stephen McGee and Iain McMillan Ward 8 - Johnstone (North), Kilbarchan & Lochwinnoch: Councillors Derek Bibby, Andy Doig and Christopher Gilmour Ward 9 - Houston, Crosslee, Brookfield & Linwood: Councillors Stuart Clark, Audrey Doig, Anne Hall and Allan Noon Ward 10 - Bishopton, Bridge of Weir & Langbank: Councillors Maria Brown, Mike Holmes and James Maclaren INVERCLYDE COUNCIL: www.inverclyde.gov.uk Ward 1 - Inverclyde East (P.Glasgow, Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village): Cllrs David Wilson, Jim MacLeod, Stephen McCabe and James McColgan

21/01/2016 14:14:03

www.advertizer.co.uk

february 2016

55 55

Advertizers - A to Z

by category Accountants & Financial

Fencing

Affluent Financial Planning . . 25 Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 14 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21

Architectural Services Architectural Drawings . . . . . 16 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Art, Gifts & Flowers Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3

Automotive Services AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Chips Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 29

Bathrooms Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6

Bedrooms Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12

Blacksmith & Metalwork McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21

Building Services A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 4 BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45

Business Services Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 28

Catering Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 16

Cleaning & PowerWash CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 33 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 Quick Drain Clear . . . . . . . . . 12

Coffee Shops Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 30

Computer, IT & Web ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 28

Driveways A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Driving Instructors Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 15 Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7

Education St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47

Electricians GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2

Equestrian Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9

Firewood & Logs LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 37 The Firewood Barn . . . . . . . . . 7 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Framing Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3

Funeral Services Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 10 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 21

Garage Doors & Gates Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Garden Service & Design 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 40 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 42 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 40 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 41 Crawford Landscapes . . . . . . . . 40 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 41 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 42 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 41 SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41 West of Scotland Landscape . . 42

Gas & Heating Services A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 16 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12 JBM Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 3 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 15 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

Glazier 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Hairdressers & Barbers Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 32 Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 34 BeardyBeardy Grooming Co . . . 33 JR’s Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . 3 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 34

Health & Beauty Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9

Health, Beauty & Fitness Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 32 Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 34 Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 51 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 11 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 6 Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 39 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Lauras Nail & Beauty Lounge . . 32 Margaret Lyons Hypnotherapy . . 35 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 7 Skinny Minnies . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 32

Home Interiors

Property, Sales & Let

Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 33 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 7

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Home Security

Removals

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 21

@ease Removals & Transport . . 21 The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Joiners CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 5 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 16

Kilt & Dress Hire Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 5

Kitchens Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12 CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4

Leisure & Recreation Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 49

Locksmiths Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3

Painters & Decorators A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 16 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Ian Livingston Decorating . . 14 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 36 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 McDonald Decorators . . . . . . . . 34 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pet Services & Training Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Happy Rambles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 23 The Pet Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Plasterers Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 36 Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 7 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15

Plumbers A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 16 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12 JBM Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 3 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 15 Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Restaurant & Bars Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 30 Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9

Retail Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 31 Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 31 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 7 Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 9

Roofing Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 36 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45

Solicitors Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1

Special Occasions ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Taxis & Minicoach hire ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 39

Tiling G J Tiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14 Kerr McAuley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Travel Agents Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Tree Surgeon Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 42 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41

TV & Satellite Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 37 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3

Upholstery Services P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 36

Window Cleaners DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15

Window, Consv & Repair 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Art Window & Doors . . . . . . . . . Bk JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Home Hardware First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 31

@ease Removals & Transport . . 21 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 40 A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 16 A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 42 A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 16 ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Affluent Financial Planning . . 25 Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 31 Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 15 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 40 Architectural Drawings . . . . . 16 Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 32 Art Window & Doors . . . . . . . . . Bk Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 34 B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 4 Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 BeardyBeardy Grooming Co . . . 33 Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 51 Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 30 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 11 Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 21 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 36 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 7 Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Chips Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 3 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 41 Crawford Landscapes . . . . . . . . 40 CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 37 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 5 DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 41 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 6 Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 14 First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 15 G J Tiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 41 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 31 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 42 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 29 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Happy Rambles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 5 Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3

I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12 Ian Livingston Decorating . . 14 Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 38 Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 JBM Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 3 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 36 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 21 Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 39 JR’s Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . 3 Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 16 Kerr McAuley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 39 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 28 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Lauras Nail & Beauty Lounge . . 32 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 15 Margaret Lyons Hypnotherapy . . 35 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 McDonald Decorators . . . . . . . . 34 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 14 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 37 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 34 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 7 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 33 Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 19 P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 36 Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Quick Drain Clear . . . . . . . . . 12 R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 41 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Skinny Minnies . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 23 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 32 SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1 Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 49 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Firewood Barn . . . . . . . . . 7 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 7 The Pet Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45 Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41 West of Scotland Landscape . . 42 Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 9 Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 16

Home Improvements Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 38 Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 19

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