267 December 2016 - Gryffe Advertizer

December 2016 No.267 Distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Elderslie • Houston • Howwood • Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank • Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

Gibb Stuart Bridge of Weir Window Display

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No. 267

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December 2016

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your LOCAL community magazine

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FREE COPY OF YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE 17/11/2016 12:12:18

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

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 01505 863 863 for a free quote.

01505 863 863 www.nutechcleaning.co.uk

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Legal Blog

by Isabella McKerrow, Affinity Family Law

Do It Yourself Divorce The cost of legal fees in divorce is dependent on the particular circumstances of your case and the type of court procedure it falls under. In certain circumstances you may be able to obtain a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership using a simplified procedure – a “do-it-yourself” method. This is a cheap and simple method and you do not have to instruct and pay for a solicitor although outlays of £113 require to be paid to the court. If you prefer to instruct a solicitor their charges for this should be relatively cheap. To proceed under this basis the marriage must have broken down irretrievably or you or your spouse/civil partner have been issued with an interim gender recognition certificate. You must have been separated for at least a continuous period of one year and your spouse / civil partner will consent to the divorce / dissolution or you have been separated for at least a continuous period of two years whereby no consent is required. There must also be no financial claim, no children under sixteen years of age and the divorce / dissolution must be uncontested. Accordingly before applying

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for divorce / dissolution under this procedure, if you are basing it on your separation for one year, check that your spouse civil partner will consent.

Also while you may not intend to pursue a financial claim, your spouse / civil partner may. If this happened the action could not proceed under the simplified procedure and would have to be pursued under the ordinary court procedure which is complicated and warrants the cost of a solicitor being involved. Please beware that once divorce is granted any right to make a financial claim is terminated. It is always advisable before you proceed with divorce to consult a specialist family law solicitor for advice.

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ThisMonth You know it’s nearly Christmas when.....

The windows at Gibb Stuart’s are glistening brightly each evening on my way home - and it’s lovely to see. Every year without fail, Sandy, Christine and their little elves go to great efforts to create a colourful and dynamic display; and once again this year is no exception - a visual extravaganza to brighten up the dark winter evenings. This never fails to get me in the Christmas mood!

We’ve got the dates for the annual Santa Sleigh! This year will be a difficult one for everyone involved as this will be their first without the involvement of their ‘Head Elf’ Gordon Lethorn. What a legacy he leaves though - so many groups get involved and each group gets to keep the funds raised on the evening they go out. Thanks again to all the volunteers who make this happen, and thank you for the generous donations from you all.

The Christmas lights are going on in all the villages, many with a special visitor doing the honours! We’ve got a list of dates on p11.

So as we hurtle towards Christmas, let’s take the time to consider how we shop.

We all enjoy the benefits of living in these lovely rural villages, but often we are so busy driving through on our way to work we don’t take the time to stop and browse the local shops.

Our local shopkeepers and tradespeople are a diverse, highly entertaining and knowledgeable bunch - take the time to get to know them and you’ll get more than just your shopping! You never know what snippets of information you can gain from a chat.

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.268 January 2017

Deadline: Friday 9 December 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

legal blog.............................3 local news.......................8-12 optical blog .......................26 dental blog.........................12 what’s on........................14-26 business news......................28 financial blog.........................28 it blog..................................28 local history.......................36 book people......................34 on the road..........................37 village news....................38-45

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pets............................48-49 pet blog ............................48 outdoors........................50-53 schools news.....................54-59 sports & clubs news........60-63 sporting blog.....................63 business classified..............64 church listings....................65 deadlines dates...................65 property classified.................65 sales & wants......................66 advertiser directory................67

In each village, our local shops are filling their windows with goodies to tempt us in - many offer gift wrapping as part of the service (well, maybe not the turkey!), and many offer gift vouchers, so if you’re struggling for ideas then this is an excellent option! Or you could make a donation to one of the many charities running locally - all are very grateful for funds and/or your time. Remember to get your turkey booked at your local butcher in plenty of time. If you are short of decorations there lots on offer locally.

When you buy locally, you keep more money in the local economy, you support local jobs, you help the environment and encourage community activity. You may even save yourself some £££s - it’s worth checking prices as they are usually very competitive with the high streets.

Someone once told me, “When you support a small business you are supporting someone’s dream!”

Racing into 2017 At the Advertizer, we’re really looking forward to 2017 for so many reasons.

Believe it or not, this will be our 22nd year in publication! I personally can’t think where the years have gone - it seems no time at all since I approached my first customer, Kingsley Wood, in his Kilmacolm office. He’s been with me all the way since those early days, and on our journey we have collected so many more friends in business and in the local community.

As soon as the December issue is out, we will be working towards our first issue of 2017. Our printer closes over the festive period so we will need to get the magazine printed before Christmas. Our deadline is Friday 9th December and although we have a little lee-way with final, final dates, we would encourage you to send in your news etc in plenty of time. The January issue will be delivered between Christmas and New Year.

Happy Christmas to you all, from all of us at The Advertizer!

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Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing?

Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution ‌ Just replace the glass!!

We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it.

Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors.

Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Peter Brummitt and he services the Wider Gryffe area. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Peter a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

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1 Windsor Place, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 01505 229674 ~ 15 flavours of ice cream

~ Azzuro Coffee

~ Hot cookie dough

~ Hot Chocolate

~ Hot Belgium waffles

~ Sundaes

~ Freshly made crepes

~ Old traditional sweets in jars

~ Slushes/milkshakes

~ Old school caramel cake

~ Hot Dogs Come and visit us to try our delicious award winning ice cream and deserts. If you can’t make it in, don’t worry, we now do home deliveries. You can phone the shop on 01505 229674 or place your order through ‘Just Eat’ online. Our old school caramel cake is the talk of the town and selling out fast every day.

We can also cater for birthday parties and can deliver ice cream and sweetie party bags out of hours.

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Show you care this Christmas With all the hustle, bustle & commercialism that surrounds Christmas it can all become very stressful and meaningless. So why not take a step back, relax and ‘show you care’ by visiting the Rainbow Turtle shop at 7 Gauze Street, Paisley.

Our wide range of foods, jewellery, toys, crafts, bags and accessories are fairly traded and so you can buy ‘gifts that give twice’ – to your family and friends and to the person who grew or made them – knowing that you are making a difference.

You can also jump into our giant ‘Gift That Gives Twice’ and have your photo taken!

Saturday 3rd December (Small Business Saturday) On Saturday 3rd December we will show we care for you and help you unwind by giving away a free hand massage and a cup of hot soup from Redss Catering with every spend or donation of £10. We want you to be warm on the outside and on the inside!

If you can’t make it to the shop during conventional opening hours (10-4 Tues-Sat) you could always book an exclusive shopping night for you and a group of friends or a community group. Contact us to find out details and how this could benefit your own charity.

Rainbow Turtle is a social enterprise that is largely run by volunteers. We have worked in the Renfrewshire community for 14 years supporting local schools and groups as well as providing incomes for some of the poorest people in the world. We really need your help to keep trading and to support our valuable work – every purchase you make really does make a difference.

ACCORD Hospice Christmas Fayre Saturday 3rd December in Paisley Town Hall Whilst all of the old favourites will be there, we are planning to introduce some new stalls and activities to ensure that we can attract as large an audience as possible.

We are really excited to introduce this year, ACCORD’s Christmas Market where you will be able to purchase a selection of Christmas items such as Christmas cards, decorations and gifts. Outside we will have a range of food stalls, mulled wine and of course our first ever Santa Sack Race at 1pm!

As always there will be lots of activities and entertainment for children including a guest appearance by Olaf & Christophe from Frozen.

Santa and his elves will be there all day and they will open the Fayre at 10am till 3pm. There will be a huge number of stalls with games, competitions, home baking and much more. Entry is free, we look forward to seeing you there!

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Contact us at 0141 887 1881 or email info@ rainbowturtle.org.uk. Visit www.rainbowturtle.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @RainbowTurtleUK and Facebook.

Visits Nepal Local woman Sue Wiliams, the current President of Soroptimist International of Paisley, visited Nepal earlier this year to see the work being carried out

by Soroptimists following the earthquake in 2015. Members of the club in Kathmandu were quick to respond to the many needs created by the disaster and continue to work hard to provide help to the women and girls in the area.

Soroptimists across the globe reacted by sending donations to help them get a school up and running for some of the most vulnerable girls, helping them to find a route out of the poverty which has become much worse since the earthquake.

This support will continue through the International President’s Appeal over the next two years.

The work is progressing well despite the difficulties still caused by lack of power, running water and limited progress in general rebuilding amongst other things.

President Sue described her visit as life changing and found the Soroptimists in Kathmandu to be ‘women truly inspiring other women to transform their lives’.

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Flowers by Margo Christmas at Gowanlea Fresh pines, striking reds of poinsettia, the smell of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts pulls together all the attributes of a festive season worth remembering..

Flowers play an important role during the festive period; they can be a perfect memorable gift. Arranging flowers and putting them in a room can uplift the mood and spread a little festive cheer.

We have an array of floral treats and inspiring ideas for Christmas that will make a fabulous gift. Bouquets and arrangements are designed with traditional festive colours of lush greens, vibrant reds, and crisp whites, hints of gold and natural.

Our newer and bigger indoor viewing area will give you a cosy soft lit space to see this years choice of trees. Our fantastic selection of premium quality trees from the truly traditional Norway Spruce to the modern day Favourite Nordmann Fir not forgetting the gorgeous smell of Fraser Fir - we have a tree fit for every home, so come out of the cold, relax and let our welcoming staff cater to your every need.

Traditional baskets may be adorned with cinnamon bundles reminiscent of mulled wine and cooper coated pine cones to reflect the forest floor in winter. Dusted with a little glitter and tied with festive ribbon they add a rustic charm to any home.

Hand making holly and Fir wreaths for over 30 years, with that special touch and care required to make them stand out from the rest.

The giving of flowers is representative of the kindness heart at this time of year.

www.gowanleanurseries.co.uk

www.flowersbymargo.co.uk

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our loyal customers, a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Open 7 days Tel No. 01505 328921 - Barrochan Road, Johnstone PA5 8YS

One Minute Angels This Christmas support us to care for all with our “One Minute Angels”.

St. Vincent’s Hospice “One Minute Angels” were the brainwave of Flo Ferguson, front of house in The Barn Tea Room at the Hospice. Flo highlighted that, “It costs £3 every minute to fund the Hospice.”

Each 1 Minute Angel is a beautiful memento that people can treasure – and each glass Angel will help someone in the local community to receive vital care from our Hospice.

Add a little sparkle to your tree and help support local patient care this Christmas. Angels are available in six colours from any St. Vincent’s shop, the Hospice Barn Tea Room or at the Hospice Reception.

If you would like to support St. Vincent’s Hospice in any way, please call the Fundraising & Communications department on 01505 705635.

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Gift Vouchers are a great idea for a Christmas present, or a solution to just show someone you care.

Pop into the Lounge to collect or simply phone 01505 690090 and we will post one to you.

37 Main Street, Bridge of Weir Manicures ~ Pedicures ~ Waxing Massage ~ Facials ~ LVL Lashes Spray Tanning

Late night on Thursday ‘til 8pm.

Call The Lounge on 01505-690090, text 07872-929798 or book on our FB page.

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Glasgow Santa Dash

Sunday 11th December Dust off your Santa boots and join thousands of other santas for a festive 5K! It’s the 10th Anniversary of the Glasgow Santa Dash this year so why not join thousands of Santas in this mass participation run as the city centre transforms into a red sea of festivity! It’s a sight to beho-ho-hold – Adults, children and even dogs all welcome!

6,000 Santas took part in last years race. Let’s make this year the best yet.

For more information call: 0141 287 8080 or Email us at: events@glasgowlife.org.uk

SWI Renfrewshire

Mrs Claus at Pollok House

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A very pleasant morning (with refreshments) was spent at Gleddoch House Hotel when 18 ladies learnt some napkin folding techniques from a very patient CARLOS. This was hosted by Langbank Institute and we were delighted to see visitors from Uplawmoor Institute and friends of members.

Saturday 3rd - Saturday 24th December 11am - 4pm

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Come and see Pollok House all dressed up for Christmas and get your special Christmas gift from Mrs Claus herself.

This year the decorations are inspired by Christmas songs can you guess which song inspired each room?!

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For further information please call 0141 616 6410 or visit www.nts.org.uk/Property/Pollok-House/Events/

Santa2’s016Sleigh

Bridge of Weir 12th - 16th Monday 12th Elm Rd, Loch Rd, Loch Pl, Mill o'Gryffe Rd, Mimosa Rd, Lintwhite Crt, Lintwhite Cres, Moss Rd, Broom Pl, Gryffe Gate, Gorse Cres, St Machars Rd, Hillview Rd, Church Rd Tuesday 13th Clevans Rd, Donaldfield Rd, Thornwood Dr, Southbrae Ave, Rosemount Lane, St Andrews Dr, Dalmahoy Cres, Bellisle Cres, Sunningdale Dr, Prieston Rd, Gryffe Rd

Houston 1st - 7th Thursday 1st South Mound, Glenartney, St Fillans Dr, Manse Cres, Hargart Rd, Speirs Rd, Glebe Gdns, Four Windings, South St, North St, Fleming Rd, Burnlea Cres, Houstonfield Quad, Houstonfield Rd, Kirk Rd, Kilmacolm Rd, Fields Lane, Cricketfield Lane, Old School House Lane, Barochan Rd Friday 2nd Leman Dr, Leman Gr, Alwyn Ave, Bream Pl, Viking Cres, Cormorant Ave, Forties Rd, Claymore Dr, Piper Rd, Piper Ave, Ninian Ave, Brent Cres, Murchison Rd, Hutton Ave, Hewett Cres, Dunlin Cres, Berl Ave Saturday 3rd Crosslee Cres, Leeburn Ave, Craigholme, Woodside, The Beeches, Birch Gro, Riverside, Broomfield, The Meadows, Brackendene, Crossways, Neuk Cres, Neuk Ave Monday 5th Crosslee Pk, Dunnet Dr, Whirlie Rd, Back o'Hill, Strawberry Fields, Whirlie Dr, Pine Gro, Mill Brae, Crosslee Gdns, Brierie Hills Cres, Brierie Hills Rd, Brierie Lane, Brierie Gdns, Goldenlee View, Brierie Hill Gro, Earlsgate, Brierie Ave Tuesday 6th Locher Cres, Locher Gdns, Locher Avew, Locher Way, Locher Gait, Gryfebank Ave, Gryfewood Cres, Gryfewood Way, Gryfebank Clo, Gryfebank Way, Gryfebank Clo, Cunningham Gdns, Crawford Rd Wednesday 7th Netherburn Ave, Netherburn Gdns, Craigburn Ave, Craigburn Pl, Locherburn Pl, Locherburn Ave, Locherburn Gro, Craigburn Cres, Woodburn Pl, Hillside, Hillfoot, Fulton Gdns, Beatrice Gdns

Wednesday 14th Eldin Pl, Hazelwood Rd, The Grove, Shillingworth Pl, Earl Pl, Ranfurly Rd, Bonar Cres, Watt Lane, Montrose Ter, Kilgraston Rd, Watt Rd, Ranfurly Pl, Bankhead Rd, Kilbarchan Rd Thursday 15th Glengowan Rd, Strathgryffe Cres, Kilmacolm Rd, Kilallan Ave, Woodside Ave, Warlock Rd, Beech Ave, Castle Rd, Park Rd, Southview Cres, Freeland Dr, Warlock Dr, Houston Rd Friday 16th Torr Rd, Horsewood Rd, Fetlar Rd, Kennbank Cres, Kennbank Rd, Thriplee Rd, Lomond Cres, Barrcraig Rd, Carruth Rd, Lawmarnock Rd, Lawmarnock Cres, Glen Brae, Troon Dr, Glendentan Rd, Turnberry Dr, Barassie Dr

Brookfield Thursday 8th Kilmacolm upper/north Friday 9th Kilmacolm lower/south Saturday 10th Quarriers Village Sunday 11th

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Help Quarriers give young people hope this Christmas Local charity Quarriers is supporting young people facing Christmas with nowhere to go, no safe and loving home or reliable care from any adults in their lives. The Box of Hope Appeal will give young homeless people dignity, belonging and hope this festive season by funding practical gifts.

The appeal features Ross who, as a child, would sit alone for hours waiting for his mum. His parents tried to look after him, but he often didn’t eat and felt scared.

Never having had the security a real home should provide, Ross is now 18 and getting help and support from Quarriers Youth Homeless Service.

This Christmas, readers can donate £10 for a Starter Box which includes basic items to help restore dignity. A £20 Christmas Box will mean a young person will get a at least one Christmas present and feel the excitement of the festive season and a sense of belonging. A £50 Moving on Box provides items to help get them on their feet and give them hope for the future.

If you would like to offer dignity, belonging and hope to a young person this Christmas, please send a cheque/PO payable to Quarriers to Box of Hope, Quarriers Village, Bridge of Weir PA11 3SX. You can call and pay by card on 01505 690 875 or donate online at www.quarriers.org.uk/hope.

Houston Switch On & fireworks

Inverkip

Brookfield

Thursday, 1st December 6pm Main street Houston

Friday 2nd December 6pm Inverkip school

Saturday 3rd December, 6pm

Quarriers

Wemyss bay

Friday 2nd December 4pm

Friday 2nd December 7pm Community Centre

Santa will be switching on the lights

Kilmacolm Friday 2nd December 6 – 8pm Cargill Centre, Lochwinnoch Rd

Inverkip and wemyss bay community council pays for entertainer at both these events

A candlelit procession from the hall to the Millennium Garden followed by refreshments in the village hall.

Bridge of Weir Monday the 5th December 6.15pm Carol Singing in Freeland Church switch on at 7pm by the Co-op and a special appearance from...Santa!

Ardgowan Hospice Light Up A Life Sunday 4th December at 6.30pm Light Up A Life is your opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of your family and friends in a special way at this time of year. Our Light Up A Life appeal this year will focus on supporting those people who are being helped to stay at home with their loved ones when life is nearing the end. It costs around £20,000 per month for our team of district nurses, doctors and carers to help patients stay surrounded by their family and loved ones.

You can attend our Light Up A Life Christmas Service on Sunday 4th December at 6.30pm.

We will be holding a special service of remembrance at the Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock where we will be lighting up the tree in memory of your loved ones.

Following this service, we can all witness the actual turning on of our lights then enjoy some refreshments in the Church Hall.

Happy Ever After Cancer Research UK Light Up A Life Friday 2nd December from 6.45pm - 9pm

On behalf of the band and charity we would like to thank all who attended and to all sponsors for there very kind donations on a very successful event.

This Christmas ACCORD Hospice invites you to sponsor a light in memory of a loved one or in honour of a friend or family member.

The Illumination of our Christmas Lights will take place in the Hospice grounds, 7 Morton Avenue, Paisley, PA2 7BW on Friday 2nd December from 6.45pm - 9pm and we invite you and your family and friends to join us for this very special occasion.

The Christmas Tree and the Hospice Gardens will then sparkle with lights representing the lives of those you have chosen to remember.

The event takes place in the grounds of the Hospice but if you would like to join in the Torchlight Procession please meet us at the Mary Russell School on Hawkhead Road at 6.45pm. We will then walk to the Hospice, where Carol Singing and the Illumination of our Christmas Lights will take place. You will then be welcomed into the Hospice for soup and crusty bread.

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St Vincent’s Hospice Garden Blossoms with a Boost from the Postcode ‘Local Trust’ The community garden at St. Vincent’s Hospice in Howwood, Renfrewshire, which was officially opened by Ally McCoist in June 2015, received a boost this year from the Postcode Local Trust to the tune of £3,613. The ‘Habitats for Wildlife’ Small Project Grant from the Postcode Local Trust has enabled 28 volunteers to create new habitats in the garden designed to attract more wildlife, including insects, frogs, birds, bats and hedgehogs, as well as provide year-round colour from the planting of over 1,000 new heathers, bulbs and perennial flowers.

The biodiversity project was coordinated by hospice staff and involved 5 supervised group gardening activity days with volunteers from the corporate world – including employees from the Clydesdale Bank, Scottish Enterprise and Thermo Fisher. The Scottish Enterprise team enjoyed their day in June so much that they returned last week for another day – this time planting bulbs for the springtime.

The project also involved day patients and carers, who helped to build the nesting boxes, as well as committed regular garden volunteers.

“Since the garden opened last year, it has become a real focal point for patients, carers, families and people from within the local community, and now, thanks to the Postcode Local Trust grant, we have been able to further enhance the garden by encouraging bio-diversity.

Carol Service & Lunch You are invited to join us at our 27th Annual Christmas Celebration of Readings & Carols at the Paisley Abbey followed by Lunch at the Paisley Town Hall on Monday 19th December from 11am - 3pm.

It is £5 to attend the Carol Service and it costs £25 for both Service and Lunch.

Jingle Bell Fun Run Sunday 4th December at Barshaw Park, Paisley Barshaw Park in Paisley will be jingling with the sound of Christmas bells as runners take part in the annual 2016 Active Communities Jingle Bell Festive Fun Run! There are two races - a 3k run at 11am open to all runners/ walkers aged 8 and over, and a 1k run at 12 noon open to runners/walkers of any age, including those in buggies. Both races are set within the boundaries of the scenic Barshaw Park in Paisley, with the 3k run covering two laps of the Park. The online price for the 3k run is £3 for those aged 8 - 17 and £5 for those aged 18 and over. The online price for the 1k run is £3 for all ages. Entries on the day will be £1 more expensive per person.

Wear jingle bells on your shoes, gloves, hats, jackets or wherever you choose and be part of an amazing Jingle Bell Orchestra! Bells will be provided. Fancy dress is optional however there will be spot prizes for the best dressed.

Christmas themed medals will be awarded to all race finishers.

This is a fantastic family day out with everyone entering into the Christmas spirit, so come along and move your feet to the jingling beat!

Special recognition must also go to our volunteers who, as always, have been wonderful. Whatever the weather threw at them, their enthusiasm never waned, whether they were helping with additional planting, making and installing animal boxes, monitoring the wildlife or weeding and maintaining the wildlife areas. Their help and support has been invaluable and on behalf of all the patients and staff at St. Vincent’s Hospice I would like to say a ‘big thank you’ to the volunteers and to the Postcode Local Trust for making this project possible,” said Kate Lennon, Chief Executive of St Vincent’s Hospice.

Speaking about their involvement with the garden project, volunteers from Scottish Enterprise said: “We had such a fun day …. it’s incredible to think just over a year ago the community garden was just a field and now it’s a haven of colour and we are so proud to have been part of its development.”

“The opportunity to do something so removed from our day jobs has been great, despite the weather and it’s rewarding to know that our contribution makes a difference.”

“The care and dedication shown to my family member during her stay was exceptional. The team work so hard and could not have done any more. When we had the opportunity to volunteer it was a natural choice for us to come here to offer something back.”

Dental Blog

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner, Kilbarchan Dental Practice

Electric toothbrushes are a fantastic stocking filler so I thought I would give you my lowdown in the lead up to Christmas.

We highly recommend good electric toothbrushes. They brush at speeds of more than 8,000 rotations a minute and are proven to remove 100% more plaque than traditional manual toothbrushes. However they are not all the same and offer a variety of different benefits and features.

In general the more you pay the better they are and the more advanced features you get. Built in timers are a common and really useful function to ensure that you and your family brush for the recommended 2 minutes. Most vibrate to alert you and this is great for kids to make sure they brush their teeth thoroughly. Some break the time into quarters to ensure each quadrant of the mouth gets the optimum attention. With advances in technology the latest models such as the Oral B 6000 costing around £75 even link to your phone via an app to provide you and your dentist with personalised “dental care journeys”. Oral B 2000 and 2500 are more basic models at around £30 but still have good features such as visible pressure sensors.

There are a variety of interchangeable heads, settings and movements to match your specific needs whether you need a deep clean between the teeth, stain removal using a polishing feature or softer bristles for sensitive teeth and gums. Whilst most have round heads there are electric brushes that replicate the traditional manual toothbrush experience with the effectiveness of an electric brush. Getting kids to brush their teeth properly is crucial and child friendly designs, soft bristles and timers are all benefits you will get with an electric toothbrush.

As well as electric toothbrushes teeth whitening and other aesthetic treatments are popular at Christmas and many dentists offer gift vouchers.

It is important to be aware that an assessment is required to check suitability for any treatments.

If you would like to find out more about the electric toothbrushes we have available or for gift vouchers do nip in to the practice or call 01505 704969. You will also find loads of free tips and advice at www.kilbarchandental.co.uk

Remember even dentists take some time off at Christmas and New Year which is a very busy period so make sure you make an appointment sooner rather than later if you need one.

The KDP team are off 24th - 27th December inclusive and then 30th Dec - 3rd January inclusive so call NHS 24 on 111 if you need dental advice or emergency treatment at this time.

Wishing all our patients a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sheila and the KDP Team

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December

events

Thu 1 December Late Night Shopping

Gibb Stuart Home Hardware 9am to 8pm

Late night Shopping in Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir stores with special offers on the night. Also on 8th and 15th December.

RSPB Swarovski Demo Day

RSPB, Lochwinnoch 10am to 4pm

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Fri 2 - Sat 3 Dec Johnstone Christmas Market

Johnstone Town Centre 10am to 3.30pm Johnstone’s very own Christmas market in Houston Square, live entertainment in the bandstand both days and Santa will be in his grotto on Saturday. Free.

Fri 2 - Sun 4 Dec Girls Day Out

SECC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow Times: Fri/Sat 10am - 6pm, Sun 10am to 5pm Fantastic show offers, Girls’ Day Out is the perfect place to start or even finish your Christmas shopping. Book Now http://www.secc.co.uk

Come along to try out a wide variety of optics, with a Swarovski representative there to guide you through the different options and offer expert advice. FREE. Please contact: E: lochwinnoch@ rspb.org.uk or Tel: 01505 842663.

Sat 3 December

OUTLOOK Keep Fit

From 11am today, Santa will be at Ardardan until 18th December.

Keep fit with David Goddard. ‘Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow presented by Kitty Walker.

ACCORD Hospice Xmas Market

Houston Xmas Lights & fireworks

A range of food stalls, mulled wine and of course our first ever Santa Sack Race at 1pm! Guest appearance by Olaf & Christophe from Frozen, along with Santa & his elves who will be there all day. Free.

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm 2-4pm

Main Street, Houston 6pm

Switching on the village lights & firework display.

Houston Primary Christmas Fayre Houston Primary School, 6.30pm

A wide variety of items on sale. Santa will of course be making a special visit. Please come along and support this festive event.

Santa Arrives at Ardardan

Ardardan Estate, Cardross, G82 5HD

Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley 10am - 3pm

Kilbarchan Parish Xmas Fayre

Fri 2 December Kilmacolm Village Art Class

Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 11am to 4pm

Exhibition and Sale of paintings by local artists.

Come and enjoy a coffee and perhaps pick up a Christmas gift for someone special. Work can be picked up at 4pm. Admission £1 (incl. coffee)

RSPB Local Group Meeting

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 7.30pm

An illustrated talk by David O’Reilly from Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Kilmacolm & Quarriers Christmas Lights Switch On

Quarriers Village - 4pm, Kilmacolm - 6pm Cargill Centre, Lochwinnoch Road

Christmas Lights Switch On with Santa. Come along and join the fun! All events are FREE!

Weir Networking

Amaretto Ristorante and Pizzeria, 60 Main Street, Bridge of Weir 9.30am

The Inspirational Erica Wallace is our next Speaker for December. Come along and see what we can do to help you and your business. Contact: 07775 594132 or email mo-hypnotherapy-world@ live.co.uk £5.

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 10am to 12noon

There will be a large variety of stalls, including Christmas baking and gifts, and children can have their photos taken with Santa. Entrance is £2, which includes coffee, mince pies and shortbread. Children Free.

1st Houston Scouts Coffee Morning & Craft Fair

Scout Hall, South Street, Houston 10am to 1pm The usual suspects of fabulous home-baking, Santa’s grotto, activities for the wee ones, a sit down with a cuppa for the more senior visitors and much more in our ever extending craft fair.

RSPB Lochwinnoch Christmas Trees & Festive Fun! RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 10am to 4pm

Face painting, Christmas themed crafts and of course Santa. There will also be African jewellery and fabulous craft creations available. Please contact the reserve: Email: lochwinnoch@rspb. org.uk Tel: 01505 842663.

Brookfield Xmas Lights Switch On

Fairtrade Coffee Morning

St. Fillan’s Primary School, Houston 10am to 11am All welcome.

Accord - Light Up A Life

Accord Hospice, 7 Morton Avenue, Paisley, PA2 7BW 6.45pm to 9pm

We invite you to sponsor a light in memory or in honour of a friend or family member. The Christmas Tree and Hospice Gardens will sparkle with lights representing the lives of those you have chosen to remember.

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Brookfield Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 6pm

Gowanlea Nurseries & Garden Centre are once again kindly donating a tree and there will be a candlelit procession from the hall to the Millennium Garden to switch on the lights (and I suspect sing a few carols) carols), followed by refreshments in the village hall.

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Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec

Sun 4 December

Renfrewshire Foodbank

Ardgowan - Light Up a Life

CO-OP Store, Houston from 9.30am Bring along your Christmas food or toiletry donations. We can’t accept any refrigerated or frozen foods or alcohol, thank you.

Vegfest Scotland 2016

SECC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow Sat: 11am - 6pm & Sun: 10am - 5pm Vegfest combines vegan food, education, entertainment and socialising in a friendly environment!

Big Christmas Weekend

Cardwell Garden Centre, Lunderston Bay, Gourock PA19 1BB 9am to 6pm

The Salvation Army Brass Band and McTwisters balloon artists on the Saturday. The McDougalls family entertainers, a face painter and lots of exclusive offers throughout the course of the weekend. Free

Sun 4 December Bridge of Weir Choral Society Christmas Concert St Columba’s Church, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm

The Choir will perform choruses from Handel’s Messiah and traditional carols for all accompanied

by Mark Brown on organ. The choir’s guests will be Angel Voices Children’s Choir and a Brass ensemble. For information contact Ernie Smyth on 01505 702997.

Jingle Bell Fun Run

Barshaw Park, Paisley 11am 3K: 11am 1K: 12pm Barshaw Park in Paisley will be jingling with the sound of Christmas bells as runners take part in the annual 2016 Active Communities Jingle Bell Festive Fun Run. This is a fantastic family day out with everyone entering into the Christmas spirit, so come along and move your feet to the jingling beat!

Dogs Trust Glasgow Xmas Fair

Dogs Trust Glasgow, 315 Hamilton Road, Uddingston, Glasgow G71 7SL 12noon to 3.30pm A variety of fundraising stalls, stocking fillers, raffle, Dogs Trust items for sale, home baking, doggy home baking and some festive refreshments. For information please call 0141 773 5141. Free.

Bridge of Weir Messy Church Christingle Service

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Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock 6.30pm

We will be lighting up the tree in memory of your loved ones. Following this service, we can all witness the actual turning on of our lights then enjoy some refreshments in the Church Hall.

Mon 5 December BoW Xmas Lights Switch–On

Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 6.15pm to 8pm

Commencing with a Carol Service at 6.15pm in Freeland Church with the Primary School Choir, followed by the Lights Switch on by the village Gala Queen at 7pm at Livery Walk where Santa will make a spectacular appearance.

Wed 7 December RSPB Winter Talk: The Wildlife of Tanzania, by Zul Bhatia RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 7.30pm to 9pm

Lochwinnoch Reserve Manager, Zul Bhatia, gives us his yearly talk about Africa. Please book, as places are limited. Cost: Adults £5 (RSPB members £3); Children £3 (RSPB members £2).

For information and booking, please contact the reserve: Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk or Tel: 01505 842663.

Thu 8 December Late Night Shopping

Gibb Stuart Home Hardware 9am to 8pm Late night Shopping in Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir stores with special offers on the night. Also on 15th December.

Wreath Making Class

Finlaystone Country Estate - Langbank 10am to 2pm Make your own wreath in time for Xmas. Made from moss, holly & yew from the estate. £15.50 includes materials. Pre booking on 01475 540505 is essential.

Fri 9 December Advertizer January Issue Deadline

Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 4pm to 6pm

There will be a candle-lit Christingle Service in the church with some carols & a tea party in the halls after. It is free and you can just turn up on the day. Please contact Catherine Daly on 07980 649377 or look at our Facebook page (Bridge of Weir Messy Church).

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Neva Place, Bridge of Weir If you would like anything published in our January issue, please email info@advertizer.co.uk or call the office on 01505 613340.

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Fri 9 December

Tue 13 December

Kilbarchan Singers’ Christmas Carol Concert

Book Group

Old Library Centre, 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan 7.15pm

Kilbarchan Parish Church, Church Street, Kilbarchan 7.30pm

If you would like to join a Book Group then why not come along. All are welcome - everyone gets an opportunity to recommend books to read together giving an interesting mix of different literature.

Festive music by Lauridsen, Holst and Chilcott, plus traditional carols. Conductor Edwin Hillier.

Also featuring Kilbarchan Parish Church Junior Choir, with conductor, Moira Gray. Adults £8.50, (children free). Call: 01505 324169.

Thu 15 December

Sat 10 December

Late Night Shopping

Gibb Stuart Home Hardware 9am to 8pm

Kilmacolm Old Kirk Xmas Fair

Late night Shopping in Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir stores with special offers on the night.

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 10am to 12noon

OUTLOOK Christmas Party

Tea/ Coffee, Tombola, Baking and Christmas Stall, Cupcake competition, Santa’s Grotto. More details will be announced in due course.

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm Christmas tombola; Christmas Santa; Carols at the piano with Sandra. Children from St Columba’s primary school will come along to sing for us, and share some Christmas party food and games.

Childrens’ Christmas Party

Brookfield Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 3pm

The Song & Dance Factory will be on hand to keep the children entertained whilst they await Santa’s arrival. Ticket requests to brookfieldvpa@gmail. com as soon as possible. £5 per child.

Gryffe Scottish Country Dance Club Christmas Party

Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 8pm

RSPB Explorer Group: Natural Winter Fun & Games RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 10am to 12noon

Please wear suitable clothing for being outdoors.

Ages: 5 to 14 years. Booking essential. Cost: £5 (£3 RSPB members). Adults free. E: lochwinnoch@ rspb.org.uk or Tel: 01505 842663

A warm invitation is extended to members of the Scottish Country Dance Clubs in Renfrewshire to come and partake, as our guests. Contact:- Les Lambert at 01505 704398.

RSPB Candlelight Guided Walk

Fri 16 December

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 5pm to 7pm

Make and decorate your own lantern to take out on the trails. Hear stories about the reserve and experience wildlife in a unique way. Please book, as places are limited. Cost: Adults £5 (RSPB members £3); Children £3 (RSPB members £2).

Tel: 01505 842663.

Funbox: Christmas Wonderland

Santa Sleigh Dates Houston

Thurs 1st - Wed 7th

Brookfield Thurs 8th

Kilmacolm

upper/North Fri 9th lower/South Sat 10th

Quarriers Village Sun 11th

Bridge of Weir

Johnstone Town Hall The FUNBOX gang are wrapped up cosy and warm for an Arctic adventure packed with songs, silliness and snow. Wear a Christmas jumper and bring a torch to light up the night! 11am & 2pm £12 all tickets/Family Ticket £44/ babes in arms £2/Groups 10+ £9*+ bkg fee*

Sun 11 December

Mon 12th - Fri 16th

Houston and Killellan Big Christmas Sing

Houston & Killellan Kirk, Main Street, Houston 7pm to 9pm

With an all age supper served from 6pm, hotdogs, sausage rolls, ice cream and Christmas cake.

Everyone is welcome singers or not, we guarantee a large helping of Christmas Spirit, good fun for old and young. Bring all the family but most of all bring yourselves. Tickets free but we suggest a donation of £5 per adult and £1 for children under 16. Donations at the door for Mwandi solar lamp appeal.

Sat 17 December Paisley Abbey Recitals

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley Cloister Café with baking from 10am. Recitals from 12.30 pm. Abbey Brass. £5 on the door.

All welcome.

Paisley Philharmonic Choir Annual Carol Concert

Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley 7pm Tickets from choir members or at door £10. The award-winning Co-operative Funeralcare Brass Band are guests. See www. paisleyphilharmonicchoir.co.uk

Santa Dash

Glasgow Green, Greendyke Street, Glasgow If you haven’t registered, then pop along to support the thousands who are taking part in this wonderful event. For more information call: 0141 287 8080. Email: events@glasgowlife.org.uk

Christmas Afternoon

Kilbarchan Church Hall, Steeple Street 2pm With entertainment by the St James’ Handbell Ringers and local choir, Village Voices. The Handbell Ringers are fascinating to watch.

Donation tickets are £5 and include mulled wine, mince pies and shortbread.

Christmas Charity Yard Sale

Heritage Farmers Market, 17 - 19 High Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 11am to 2pm

Fantastic stalls including hand crafted items, Forever Living products and hand made soaps.

Erskine Hospital representatives will also be coming along. So why not pop by and grab yourself something different for Christmas presents or a wee treat for yourself. Free.

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Highland Hustle, the new dance based workout using Highland dancing, ceilidh steps and modern music. It’s great fun and as each step has three levels, you can walk through the class or dance like a champion! No experience necessary!

Pop along to see for yourself or email for more information.

Kilbarchan Guidehall, Wednesdays, 9.45am or 8pm.

All fitness levels, and dance abilities welcome.

Sat 17 December Paisley Santa Xmas Tinsel Parade

Paisley - various venues 11am to 12.30pm Tour leaves from the YMCA office at 39 High Street, finishing at Paisley Abbey and a short nativity play. Afterwards, back to the Walking Tours on Wheels office in the YMCA for tea, coffee, mince pies, shortbread, a raffle and a gift from Santa for the children

Sun 18 December Village Carol Service

Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 2pm A brass band made up from village residents will be accompanying the carol singing and mulled wine and mince pies will be offered immediately afterwards.

Samaritans Christmas Fete

Old Auction Rooms, West Stewart Street, Greenock, PA15 1SN 12noon to 4pm Santa, craft stalls, mulled wine, entertainment. £2.

Nativity Play

Parish Church, Church Street, Kilbarchan 11am The children of the Sunday School and Junior choir will present their Nativity Play “Born in a Barn”. At 6.30pm, there is a service of Nine Lessons and Carols, led by the Senior Choir, followed by coffee and mince pies in the hall. All welcome.

Mon 19 December ACCORD Hospice Carol Service & Lunch

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley 11am to 3pm You are invited to join us at our 27th Annual Christmas Celebration of Readings & Carols at the Paisley Abbey followed by Lunch at the Paisley Town Hall. £5 to attend the Carol Service and it costs £25 for both Service and Lunch. £5 - £25.

Tue 27 December Cheese & Wine Occasion

Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 2pm to 4pm Our most popular event of the year - a great opportunity for residents, visiting families, friends and neighbours to get together for a really sociable afternoon in the comfort of the village hall.

See you there!

Sat 31 December Hogmanay Dance

Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 8.30pm The re-inauguration of the Hogmanay Dance with live band Dizzy Heights. Tickets on sale now from your local village councillor or by emailing brookfieldvpa@gmail.com (minimum age 16 years). £10.

Fri 6 - Fri 13 January St Columba’s School Entrance Assessments St Columba’s School, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm Entrance assessments for Early Years, Junior School and Senior School begin on 6th January. Visit www.st-columbas.org.

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Having recently relocated to Kilmacolm I’d like to introduce Craniosacral Therapy Wellcentred, offering a Remedial & holistic approach towards Sports Massage health and wellbeing through complementary therapies: Reflexology Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy supports the existing health and vitality within the body to encourage natural healing and self-repair, effectively treating pain and symptoms arising from physical and emotional injuries, stress or trauma.

Remedial and Sports Massage is proven for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions by restoring structural alignment and increasing range of movement.

Reflexology stimulates energy flow through pressure points on the feet, targeting areas of tension and pain, inducing relaxation and rebalancing the whole system.

For appointments please contact:

Nicki King 07958 566596 wellcentred@gmail.com @nickiking18 WellcentredUK

Christmas Markets The Glasgow Christmas Markets will return to St Enoch Square this year until Tuesday 20th December. 50 colourful stalls will offer a selection of gifts, artisan products and global cuisine set in the festive village of rustic cabins and stalls.

This truly seasonal experience for all the family has something for everyone, from scarves, jewellery, hats and purses, to chutneys, cheeses and waffles.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Dick Whittington

Friday 25th November - Saturday 3rd December - 7.30pm & 2.30pm Saturday Matinee Tickets: £10, Family of 4: £35 Join Greenock Players as they bring to life this sparkling and funfilled version of the traditional tale of Dick Whittington written by “panto king” John Morley. All the favourite characters are here – Tommy the Cat, Sarah the Cook, King Rat, the Fairy of the Bells and, of course, Dick Whittington himself. Sail the seven seas with the madcap crew to Morocco to help the Sultan with his rat infestation.

Beauty and the Beast

Friday 9th December to Saturday 31st December Various Performance Times Tickets from £ 8.00 to £19.00 Featuring Still Game’s Mark Cox (Tam) and Jane McCarry (Isa) After the record breaking Aladdin last year, Beacon team up with Imagine Theatre once again to present the tale of the cursed hideous beast and great beauty Belle.

With spectacular scenery, fabulous costumes, incredible special effects and bags of traditional pantomime slapstick fun, Beauty and the Beast is a delight for all the family to enjoy!

Flora’s Fairy Challenge

Saturday 10th December to Sunday 18th December Various Performance Times £8 / £6, Groups of 3+ £6 each A festive tale for kids aged 3 – 6 years Always ready for an adventure, Flora has packed her bag and set off for the North Pole to visit Santa. But poor Santa has a problem – his sleigh can’t fly without magical fairy dust, and there’s not a pinch to be found so close to Christmas! Only Flora can save the day. But she’s not the sort of girl who likes to wear a pretty dress, a sparkly wand, a beautiful tiara, or any of the other things that make a good fairy. Though with the help of her little friends who have come along for the ride, Flora will learn that there’s more to being a fairy than just looking the part.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play on Stage

Tuesday 20th December to Friday 23rd December 7.30pm Tickets: £14 / £12 Celebrating 5 sell-out years! The story of the most inspirational film of all time is brought to the stage as a live 1940s radio play. Six actors play 1940s radio actors who in turn portray ALL the characters of It’s a Wonderful Life. Featuring live sound effects and live music – It’s a Wonderful Life sells out every year so pre-booking a must!

BEACON ARTS CENTRE, CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY, GREENOCK, PA15 1HJ INFO@BEACONARTSCENTRE.CO.UK TELEPHONE: 01475 723723

Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th December SECC, Glasgow Fri/Sat 10am - 6pm Sun 10am to 5pm Book Now http://www.secc.co.uk

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Funbox: Christmas Wonderland

FUNBOX the brand new family show from Anya, Kevin and Gary presents CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND at Johnstone Town Hall on Saturday 10th December from 11am & 2pm.

The FUNBOX gang are on top of the world - literally, as their latest seasonal spectacular takes them to the North Pole. They’re wrapped up cosy and warm for an Arctic adventure packed with songs, silliness and snow. The Funbox is locked though and the keys are missing. Can you help us find them?

Fluffy and Flossie the Funsters are on hand to help and of course everyone’s favourite cheeky dog; Bonzo is along for the sleigh ride and up to his usual mischief too. You may even get to help on stage!

Packed with singalong favourites like ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Pizza Hut’ and ‘Katie Bairdie’, as well as brand new songs, CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND is the perfect festive treat for the whole family. Who knows you may even see Santa!

Wear a Christmas jumper and bring a torch to light up the night! £12 all tickets/Family Ticket £44/ babes in arms £2/Groups 10+ £9*+ booking fee*

Probus Club Of Johnstone The Probus Club of Johnstone is looking for new members.

Members have to be retired or semi-retired and are mainly professional or business people. This is not totally necessary as members of all occupations would be made very welcome.

The Johnstone Probus Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month throughout the winter. We have guest speakers at each meeting who speak on a wide variety of subjects.

The Johnstone Probus Club meets at Cochrane Castle Golf Club at 2pm on Tuesdays except Christmas which is at 12.30pm for a Christmas Lunch.

Anyone who is interested please come along to one of our meetings for a “meet and greet” afternoon.

Meetings December 6th ........Mrs Harris, Singapore and Western Australia - 2pm December 13th ......Christmas Lunch - 12.30pm January 10th ..........J. Connell Quiz afternoon - 2pm January 24th ..........Burns Lunch - 12.30pm

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Craig Crawford of Minicoach Tours is delighted to offer a “See before you hire” service. The Mercedes Minicoach can be brought to you and demonstrated for you to decide if it will be suitable for your requirements, be it wedding, family occasion or organised group. Please ring for an appointment on 01505 704440.

Big Christmas Weekend Cardwell Garden Centre, Gourock Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December 9am - 6pm!

Our fantastic selection of quality, real Christmas trees will be available to buy throughout the weekend. The Salvation Army Brass Band will also be here on the Saturday to get you into the Christmas spirit.

On the Saturday the amazing McTwisters balloon artists will be here, if you haven’t seen the McTwisters in action you are missing out! The McDougalls family entertainers will also be here the whole weekend with their brilliant Festive themed show that the kids will love and there will also be a face painter here so the kids can get their faces painted.

We’ll also be having lots of exclusive offers throughout the course of the weekend so you really do not want to miss this!

Top Turkey Tips Don’t wash your turkey. Washing raw turkey is unnecessary and can spread germs. Harmful bacteria can easily splash from raw meat and poultry onto worktops, chopping boards, dishes and utensils. Germs that cause food poisoning can also linger for days in the sink. Up to 80% of people significantly increase the risk of food poisoning by washing their turkeys before cooking them.

Keep it clean. Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before preparing food and after handling raw meat or poultry. Make sure your worktops and utensils are clean and disinfected.

Make sure your turkey is cooked thoroughly. Check that it is steaming hot all the way through. Cut into the thickest part of the turkey to check that none of the meat is pink and ensure that the juices which run out are clear.

Use your leftovers safely. We all hate to waste food, so if you’ve stored cooked turkey in the

fridge, eat it within two days. If you want to make your turkey leftovers last longer, put them in the freezer within one to two hours of cooking. Divide the food into portions to aid cooling, and then store it in the freezer.

Use your leftovers creatively. Love Food Hate Waste has some great suggestions to make the most of your leftovers. You can find them at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes

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Kilmacolm Dramatic Society Pantomime is over for another year and I extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who came to watch, tapped your toes and sang along with us. I hope you all enjoyed it and filled you full of festive cheer.

Thank you to all the cast and crew who dedicate so much of their time and put in so much hard work to bring a little bit of theatre to your local area. For many children this can be their first experience of theatre, so I hope we do our best to make it an enjoyable one (although some adults may not agree)! Sadly, many local dramatic groups no longer exist so thank you for your continuing support which has enabled us to keep going after more than 70 years.

We are always looking for new members to help in any way you can whether it is on stage, back stage or front of house, so please get in touch if you are interested in joining us - just drop me an email.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Early Announcement Lochwinnoch Arts Festival ‘17!

‘A village of culture and heritage’ This year’s festival will encourage us to come and try different art forms! We have many ‘Come and Try’ events as well as ‘Workshops’ for those who are proficient at some Celtic music forms. Here are some of these events: Come and Try: • Pottery • Poetry • Screen printing • Dance with your family Workshops: • Fiddle

• Lindy hopping dance • Crafts • Singing

• Drawing • Felting • Penny whistle

• Accordion

• Bodhran

The greatest gift you can receive at Christmas is the presence of family and friends. So all that’s left for me to say is I hope you all enjoy doing just that.

From all of us at KDS have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Kate

PS/ Should you need new friends after Christmas, or indeed just to add to them, come and join us in the New Year!! Email: katewatt317@btinternet.com

The Colours of Paisley - The Tapestry of Renfrewshire The Tapestry of Renfrewshire project was officially and enthusiastically launched earlier this year. The launch was, most appropriately, held in Paisley Abbey and highlighted by Janice Forsyth on Radio Scotland’s Culture Show.

It is anticipated that the Tapestry will be a major community and colourful contribution towards Paisley’s bid for City of Culture 2021. It is avidly hoped that, when completed, it will be housed in Paisley, as a further draw for tourists, for locals and as an important element of a clearly emerging Textile Trail within Scotland.

This ambitious and exciting project is being led by a collaborative steering group of local organisation representatives and experts.

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 – is designing the panels. They will be based on the Old County of Renfrew boundary, depicted by Pont’s map of 1583. It is anticipated that the history will stretch from the Iron Age onwards, encompassing the future of Renfrewshire as it is known today.

The Paisley thread industry is of global significance.

The desire is for the Tapestry to be stitched and woven with local threads and wools. Donations have started coming in and are welcome from all over the world – towards the Call To Yarns! Http://www.renfrewshiretapestry.org.uk/ donate-yarn/

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Stitching: currently everyone is encouraged to download a tear drop pattern to stitch at leisure, or they can join in with stitching groups being held at the Paisley Thread Mill Museum and the RWH 1697 hub in Paisley. Http://www. renfrewshiretapestry.org.uk/the-project/ These tear drops will be used within the Tapestry project.

Schools, stitching groups, charities and organisations have started to take an interest in the project. We encourage more to get in touch, as well as any individuals. Research must be accurate, outreach to every corner of the boundary and we welcome ideas for panels and for volunteers to take on a panel. We also welcome sponsorship for the panels and the project.

Andrew Crummy pointed out: ‘the colours of Paisley’s threads are phenomenal’ – indeed they are engaging and inspiring. The Tapestry of Renfrewshire is a community project and everyone’s input will make the colours of people’s stories, Renfrewshire’s heritage and history shine through. No matter what talent people have, everyone is welcome – be it for stitching, administration or information gathering.

You do not need to be a stitcher to be involved.

Further Information, an application form and a pattern are all available on the website: www.renfrewshiretapestry.org.uk

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Celebrating 15 years in Johnstone “With so many more people opting to pay for their funerals in advance, it does mean we often get to deal with things without the emotional turmoil that can occur at an at-need funeral arrangement, and this can be so much easier on the family,” said John. “Whether you are 19 or ninety, you get to specify what format you would like your funeral to take, fancy with horses and carriage, or simple no frills or fuss. People don’t generally like to talk about their demise with family members; it’s sometimes easier with a professional, one who’ll ask all the right questions, ensuring that the plan is tailored to suit your requirements.”

Setting up your own business is a massive step, but John has no regrets. ”In the 15 years I have become more involved in an amazing local community that has really supported the business and we have tried to give a little back by supporting our local clubs and societies, and getting involved in fundraising for charities such as St. Vincent’s.” John is also an active member of The Johnstone Business Consortium whose work ensures the town remains an important and valued shopping and community hub.

Visit www.johnroach.co.uk for more information

2016 has been a big year for John Roach. In February he celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary and on December 24th it will be 15 years since he opened the doors of John Roach Funeral Services at number 4 Houstoun Square, in Johnstone Town Centre. “It doesn’t feel like 15 years, says John; that is until I look in the mirror”

As an undertaker, John has had many career highlights, but most recently has achieved some major recognition from his industry peers, having been nominated, in both 2015 and 2016 for funeral planner of the year, in Scotland,

by Golden Charter. Honoured just to be nominated, John narrowly missed out on the gold medal, but was delighted to take his place on the podium as he accepted his award for being a top 3 finalist in both of the years that he was nominated.

The other two main members of the team are Les Boyce, a local lad from Linwood, who is well known in the area, with over 20 years of experience in the trade, and Craig Munro, John’s brother-in-law, who joined the team in 2004. Despite being the baby of the team (by 4 and a half months) Craig has spent over 28 years working as a funeral director, bringing with him a wealth of experience in this very specialised business. Together, they combine to make up, possibly the finest team of funeral directors in the West of Scotland, as many of the testimonials on their website www.johnroach.co.uk would attest.

It’s perhaps not the first job most of us would “undertake”, however John and his team get the opportunity to support and help families at their very lowest time, when they really need a calming presence and sympathetic ear, and that gives them a great sense of job satisfaction.

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This December, all the team at John Roach Funeral Directors are signed up for “Decembeard” where they will all “attempt” to grow a beard. This charity fundraises for Bowel cancer awareness and research. This is a charity close to their heart as both John and Craig’s mother-inlaw died of this disease.

You can support their efforts by following this link http://www.justgiving.com/ john-roach-decembeard-2016

You can support their efforts by following this link

http://www.justgiving.com/john-roach-decembeard-2016 /charitybcuk

@Bowel_Cancer_UK

Bowel Cancer UK is a registered charity number 1071038 (England & Wales) and SC040914 (Scotland). A company limited by guarantee number 3409832 (England).

Together, the undertakers who work in the business have over 70 years of experience between them and since opening in 2001 they have carried out approaching 3,000 funerals in Johnstone and the surrounding area.

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UNTIL

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DEC

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Paisley Artists 104th Exhibition Paisley Museum As per opening hours

This is a free event

Local art society, Paisley Artists, once again promise a colourful display of Renfrewshire’s artistic talent. Always a great success with visitors, this exhibition promises a rich diversity of styles, subjects and media with most exhibits available for purchase.

Aladdin - A Family Pantomime Paisley Arts Centre morning, afternoon, evening

Price: £9.50 - £19.00 (Gala Night up to £27.50)

UNTIL

31 DEC

If you see anything this December make sure you see PACE Theatre Company’s 28th Annual Pantomime - Aladdin! Starring David Wallace - the ‘Doyenne of Dames’ - and Alan Orr, along with a whole host of hilarious characters, fantastic original music, and the liveliest, most energetic chorus of young actors - this is one night out that none of the family will want to miss.

WED

14 DEC

Holly at Christmas Paisley Town Hall 7.30pm

£10 (£8 conc) + bkg fee* Over 18s only

THUR

15 DEC

Light-hearted live comedy with Chris Henry, Graham Mackie and Janey Godley. Let resident MC Scott Gibson get you through the dark winter months with light-hearted live comedy.

19 DEC

£8 adults / £5 school children

Doors open 6.45pm 7.15pm - 10pm

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

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

Postnatal Support Group Paisley Abbey 10.30am - 12noon

Crèche facilities available along with access to free counselling services if required.

every Wednesday Knitting Group Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon

Knitters of all levels welcome!

Skinny Minnies

every Thursday Weekly Volunteer Group Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 3.30pm

Conser vation Volunteers - adult group.

Newcomers always welcome.

every Saturday Weekly Volunteer Group Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm

Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers always welcome.

every Sunday

1st & 3rd Thurs monthly ‘Outlook’ 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

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

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

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

2nd Thursday monthly Solas Bereavement Support Group The group meets in the Kidston Hall. 6.30pm 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

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.

2nd Saturday monthly ‘Brunch & Browse’ St Fillan’s Hall, Kilmacolm 10am - 2pm

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

Houston Litter Crew

last Friday monthly

Co-op car park 10am – 11.45am

TheTerrace

All volunteers welcome and all equipment supplied.

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Hall

Homemade soups, sandwiches, tea/coffee, biscuits. £4. Good food and company.

last Saturday monthly

WED

21 DEC

Come and join us for our Christmas Extravaganza a collaboration between Starlight and the Glasgow Philharmonia Orchestra.

We have a fantastic evening lined up with the finest seasonal music, performed by our talented young cast and orchestra. With our special guest soloists, charming choral numbers and spectacular dance routines, this is no ordinary Christmas Concert!

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Tea, biscuits & a raffle each meeting along with entertainment. Contact Sheila Patterson for further information on 01505 690521.

Youth volunteer Group - age 12 - 18 years.

Newcomers always welcome.

£5.00 - £25.00

A Very Starlight Christmas

WED

Cargill Hall 7 - 9pm

This event will not take place on public holidays.

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon

You are invited to join us at our 27th Annual Christmas Celebration of Readings & Carols at the Paisley Abbey followed by lunch at the Paisley Town Hall on Monday 19th December.

It is £5 to attend the Carol Service and it costs £25 for both Service and Lunch.

Paisley Town Hall

The Cross, Lochwinnoch 10.30am

Weekly Volunteer Group

ACCORD Hospice Carol Service & Lunch Paisley Abbey 11am - 3pm

2nd & 4th Wednesday BoW Senior Citizens Club

For a healthier, slimmer, more energetic you!

£14 (£12 conc) + bkg fee*

A Buddy Good Laugh 16 - Jane Godley

MON

every Monday Lochwinnoch Community Walk

Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm - 8pm

Celebrate Yuletide with Buddy Holly and The Cricketer’s Holly at Christmas, the show that’s now as traditional as mulled wine and mince pies! Buddy Holly’s hits, other contemporary classics and some Christmas crackers are all wrapped up in a fast, furious and funny feast of entertainment to make the perfect gift for all the family.

Paisley Arts Centre 8pm

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Table Top Sale Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Ave 11am - 1pm

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

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

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Saturday 24th December - 7.30pm

Festive Family Ceilidh Paisley Town Hall

£8 (£6 conc) + booking fee*

7.30pm

Celebrate the end of 2016 at the Festive Family Ceilidh with Clamjamfrie; a traditional evening of Scottish music and ceilidh dancing for everyone to enjoy. Early booking is recommended.

Come and Sing Haydn - The Creation with Orchestra Directed by George McPhee Sunday 29th January 2017 Rehearsal 2.30pm Performance 6.30pm All singer applications are welcomed, but places will be allocated on a first come basis.

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1st SAT Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 10am - 2pm

1st & 3rd SUN Loch Lomond Shores

10am - 3pm Tel: 07977 179 861

2nd THU & last SAT Paisley Cross

Further details will be announced soon. If you are interested in taking part, please call 07885 622923.

2nd SUN

Paisley Abbey (Church of Scotland)

Kip Marina, Inverkip

Registered Charity No. SC007633

11am - 4pm www.kipmarina.co.uk

10am - 2pm Tel: 01655 770217

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1st Houston & Crosslee Scout Group Buy your tickets for our Annual Christmas Coffee Morning and Craft Fair early when our whole group get out on the pavements and bring them to you, with our door to door ticket service! All group members will be easily identifiable with their brown and white Scout group Neckies. Please support by coming along on the day too on Saturday 3rd December at the Compass Centre from 10am - 1pm. The usual suspects of fabulous home-baking, Santa’s grotto, activities for the wee ones, a sit down with a cuppa for the more senior visitors and much more in our ever extending craft fair; items will include handmade jewellery and snowflakes, stocking fillers, hand decorated tree hangings, Paracord bracelets, Santa’s Sweet Delights and fill your boots on the day with the final ever Great Explorer Bakeoff. This year profits from the Great Explorer Bake off stall will go towards fundraising the being run by the Explorers for their Million Hands Project,, raising awareness for disability and funds for Vinnie’s Fight Back Fund..

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Renfrewshire Foodbank CO-OP HOUSTON – CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December – 9.30am onwards We’ll be collecting Christmas donations on these dates to ensure that Renfrewshire children and their families enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

Two ways to donate....

1. Bring along your Christmas food or toiletry donations to our stall in the Co-op Houston.

2. Pop some cash in our charity buckets and we’ll buy the Christmas goods from the Co-op in Houston – ensuring that the money goes back into our local community.

See you all in the Co-op Houston – Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December.

Christmas essentials list: Selection boxes, chocolates Christmas cake, biscuits Toiletries – body wash, bubble bath, shampoo, men’s razors, shaving foam, gel, etc.

Tissues Baby wipes, nappies, bathing products, etc.

Christmas crackers – for the dinner table Sugar Small cartons of juice eg.

Capri Sun *Please ensure long use by dates. We can’t accept any refrigerated or frozen foods or alcohol... Many thanks.

Optical Blog

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians

Presbyopia comes to us all!

Presbyopia is part of the natural ageing process of our eyes and starts to affect most of us in our early forties. The crystalline lens in the middle of each eye, responsible for focusing on things close-up, becomes progressively less flexible and unable to focus properly. This usually first presents as a difficulty in reading small print, holding the print further away to focus (“arms aren’t long enough” syndrome) or the need for brighter light when reading.

There is no cure for presbyopia, but there are solutions! Simple reading glasses can be prescribed. Care should be taken with over the-counter readers though - the prescription will be the same for each eye, astigmatism won’t be corrected and the centre of the lens may not match the eyes perfectly. Prescribed glasses are made-to-measure, so the frames and lenses will be fitted professionally. Bifocals or varifocals can be better options if a distance correction is also required. Bifocals have a visible line on the lens, separating the distance and near powers.

Varifocals are the most popular option nowadays due to the fact they have many powers to allow focusing at many different distances but with no visible line. Trifocals are rarely used - they have 2 lines separating three powers.

Contact lenses are another popular choice with options available for daily, two weekly or monthly disposables. Monovision, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for reading, is another option and although it sounds strange it can be surprisingly effective. With all options, whether it’s glasses or contact lenses, it may take a few weeks for the brain to adapt.

As always, if you notice any changes in your vision, you should have an eye examination to identify the exact cause.

For further information please contact the practice on 01505 614700.

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Financial Blog

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd

As Christmas looms, the likelihood of overspending increases and the fear of a big credit card debt arriving in January is a concern or fear for many. For some people, this may take months to clear. So, how do you manage your money to avoid a repeat of this every January? The following should help; 1. Work within a Budget – many people don’t know where the money goes. You need to understand your spending to know how to improve your financial position.

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7. The key to financial independence – is spending less than you earn and saving the difference. Once you have cracked this, you can plan then develop a financial plan.

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Savings must be automatic – your regular savings must happen every month or you may be blown off course.

9. Savings must be realistic – savings must be proportionate. Too little and you are fooling only yourself.

10. Don’t be a Christmas turkey – face the new year debt free – every year.

This information is not financial advice. If you require advice you should consult a professional adviser. The first meeting is normally free and there is no obligation Call us for a FREE financial review on 01505 59 50 60 or info@affluentfp.co.uk.

Alternatively, pop into the Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www.affluentfp.co.uk

2. Do you overspend? You need to honest with yourself here.

Check your last year’s bank statements to see how much you are overspending and take control to change this.

3. Don’t buy on credit – use only cash or debit card to buy things and avoid using a credit card unless it is fully repaid every month 4. Control your debts – how much do you owe? How much does it cost you? When will you be clear of your debts? Implement a plan to be debt free by next Christmas, if possible.

5. Look for savings – cut costs where you can (utility bills, mortgage, insurances) and use the savings to reduce debt – not to spend more!

6. Save the difference – once you have repaid your debts, direct the savings above to a savings account so you can afford Xmas next year without the financial worry.

with Colin Fyfe of Colcom The Brexit vote has been blamed for many things and lauded for few it seems. One of the ‘many things’ that, in the short term at least, is going to smart a little is the cost of overseas imports. Britain’s Tech imports totalled £4bn in September this year and is obviously a major sector of the British foreign import market. It should therefore come as no surprise that Lenovo, the world’s largest laptop manufacturer along with HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprises or HP to you and I) have increased their pricing in the UK by 10% since the vote. However, come the 1st of December another round of price increases will push things up again by another 10% or so among these and other giants of technology. Apple too has pushed the envelope, albeit in a more clandestine way. Their recent models offer a higher like for like spec on previous models, but the discrepancies average out at a significant increase.

These price increases on the back of the weak pound were inevitable, but it is no less disappointing to find that a laptop you could pick up for £300 six month ago, will now cost £360.

I would always tell clients looking for a basic laptop not to look at anything less than £300 if they want some semblance of quality about their new computer. Now that figure is more than £350 with a recommended spend of £400 for a general use laptop.

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Further price hikes are inevitable too, UK missed out on Sonos’ Euro price hikes of about 15% last year due to weak Euro v USD, I expect they will correct that soon enough.

Merry Christmas and thanks for reading.

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Weir Networking The Inspirational Erica Wallace is our next Speaker on Friday 2nd December. Erica knows how to run a small business and expand in leaps and bounds. A Lady full of the Joys of life, so if you are looking to be Motivated, Inspired and Encouraged then do not miss this wonderful opportunity.

Weir Networking is a Business Networking Group for local Business’s to get together and make contact. Contact 07775 594132 or email mo-hypnotherapy-world@live.co.uk Come along on Friday morning, at 9.30am, to find out more and see what we can do to help you and your business. We meet for breakfast and a chat in Amaretto Ristorante and Pizzeria, 60 Main Street, Bridge of Weir.

All businesses welcome - just £5 per person!

Book your Free Home Energy Check with LEAP this Winter Your LEAP Home Energy Check is a review of your home energy usage. Our City and Guilds qualified LEAP Energy Adviser visits you at home at a time convenient for you and asks you some simple questions about your home and your energy usage. It only takes about an hour and can save you money! During the visit the LEAP Energy Advisor will complete a form which is used to design your follow up LEAP Home Action Plan.

This is a personalised plan developed by LEAP to advise simple, inexpensive actions you can take to improve your home comfort and energy usage.

What advice will you get from a Home Energy Check?

You will get free and impartial advice on practical measures you could take to help reduce the amount of energy you use. Many measures are free or very low cost and can save you money at the same time. We recognise that everyone’s needs are different and our Energy Advisers create Your LEAP Home Action Plan specifically for your home and circumstances.

How do you arrange a LEAP Home Energy Check? LEAP Home Energy checks are a free service to all local residents of Lochwinnoch, Bridge of Weir, Kilbarchan, Houston, Crosslee, Brookfield, and Howwood; home owners, private let landlords and tenants, and council and housing association tenants.

For your FREE Home Energy Check phone LEAP on 01505 612034, email info@ myleapproject.org, or pop into your nearest LEAP Office at either Advance Place, Bridge of Weir, or 22 Church St, Lochwinnoch.

On Work Placement with LEAP Thomas Hodgson, a 4th year pupil of St Benedict’s Secondary School in Linwood, spent his work placement week with LEAP in November. Thomas from Lochwinnoch was familiar with the LEAP charity, but he wanted to find out more about its work and services`. ‘I have learned about the free home energy checks that LEAP do. The Energy Adviser, Alasdair told me that he asks questions about what fuels people use to heat their homes, where their boiler is located and finds out what the temperature is in their homes.’ Thomas learned how the car club cars can be booked online by members, and that there are 4 cars, 2 hybrids, 1 electric and 1 diesel car. ‘I know that the hybrid cars don’t give off as many carbon emissions and are better for the environment.

It also takes 3 and half hours to fully charge the Nissan Leaf’. Scott Duncan, LEAP’s Project Manager congratulated Thomas on his good work ethic during his week with LEAP and the LEAP staff were impressed by his interest in their work and his administrative skills. Well Done, Thomas!

Passing on the Bikeswap Mantle LEAP has been spreading the word and building the capacity of new organisations and groups to hold Bikeswaps in their communities.

Active Communities Linwood invited LEAP to be part of their 5k Family Cycle day and to show them the Bikeswap ropes. If your community group or organisation is interested in learning more about how to run a bikeswap, support the reduction of bikes to landfill and encouraging recycling, passing things on, or providing a new home for your bike, contact LEAP at info@myleapproject.org. Look out for the dates and venues for LEAP Bikeswaps in your area at www.myleapproject/news or www.facebook. com/myleapproject.

Stylish, Durable: A Floor for Life When choosing a new floor for your home, there are a few things to take into consideration. For a lot of our clients, having a floor that isn’t going to be ruined by mucky feet, paw prints or spills is a top priority. For this reason, light cream carpets can be problematic for many busy households.

Karndean and Amtico flooring are perfect for any room or situation in the home. They are both waterproof, slip resistant and warm underfoot, as well as being a beautiful and luxurious floor to be proud of.

Both are easy to clean and without the porous qualities of wood and some stone. They bring the ageless beauty of natural flooring to your home without the hassle.

Be it a rustic wood effect in the living room or a sleek and modern stone effect in the kitchen, Orchard Flooring can provide expert advice to find the perfect floor for a room.

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 22 9584 or 07563 633 432 E: sjmproducts@hotmail.com website- www.orchard-flooring.com

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At the business meeting on 2nd November members heard reports on recent meetings and plans for the next two month’s events.

International Committee Convenor, Neil McAllister, was delighted to advise that the Rotary Curry Night at Shimla Cottage had been a great success and £800 raised for the Rotary End Polio Campaign. Thanks are due to those who attended and to Tabi and his restaurant staff. Twenty filled back-packs for young people in Malawi have been delivered to Mary’s meals plus a donation of £500. A donation sufficient to purchase a Shelter Box for use in an earthquake zone is being expedited.

Purple4Polio crocus bulbs have been donated and planted by Rotary’s partners in Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir, Houston, Brookfield and Lochwinnoch. The Crocus was chosen as the purple colour matches the dye painted on the fingers of children who have been immunised.

Members had enjoyed talks by Gary Webster on the “Scottish Golf Museum” - the world’s largest virtual on-line golf museum and local farmer Willie Harper on the “Politics of Farming”.

On 9th November John Melrose, representative of The Malcolm Group who are a Corporate Member, introduced an old friend, Colin Neill who was billed to speak on “Sport”. Colin was formerly a Supply Chain Director of Diageo, works as a Business Advisor and is a Director of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, involved with the Paisley 2021 City of Culture bid, and President of Cricket Scotland. He is also an avid follower of Scottish football and chose to focus on his book “The Ramblings of a Football Follower”. In a fast moving and very humorous talk Colin told of his heroes (Eric Caldow, Dave Mackay), his favourite team (Ayr United), his view of the best managers (Alec Fergusson and Ally Macleod), and the best player (Denis Law).

The following speakers have been confirmed: Wed 30th November: The speaker will be Wilma Morrison – guest of Dan Mungin.

Social convenor, Angus Matheson, reminded members of the forthcoming social events at the River Inn: Wed 14th December: Christmas Dinner at the River Inn for members, partners and friends.

Sat 14th January 2017: Burn’s Supper. Annual event. Great food and entertainment in the traditional style. Tickets for sale from members.

Wed 15th February 2017: Valentines Dinner for members and partners.

Wed 2nd February 2017: Dinner and Celebration of 100 years of Rotary Foundation, the Rotary charity.

The Club has arranged to take groups of Renfrewshire Young Carers, up to 100 in total, for an evening out, away from their duties for a fun night at The Experience at Hillington with a meal and go-karting. There will be groups going 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, & 31 January 2017. In response to a request from the Community Services Convenor, Edwin Fisher, the club gave approval for a donation of £500 towards the improvement of Ardgryffe play-park at Houston.

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Youth Services convenor Andrew Macleman advised plans for the coming weeks: Euroscola – An excellent candidate from Gryffe High School has been selected and will speak to the club after attending the European Parliament.

Young Chef - Gibb Stuart have agreed to again provide prizes for the competitors. The competition will be held at 4.30pm on Thursday 1st December.

Youth Speaks - Teams have been confirmed from St. Columba’s and Gryffe High School. This competition will be held on Tuesday 22nd November.

Gryffe Camera Club Photographic Competition - Judging has taken place and there will be a display of the winning prints at a forthcoming Rotary meeting in the River Inn. Advertising will be put in place to promote the annual 10K run, being arranged for Sunday 7th May 2017. The date is chosen to allow four months of training after the Christmas and New Year celebrations!

People interested in hearing our speakers, attending events and finding out more about Rotary are encouraged to speak to a member or contact the club via the contact facility on the website www.gryffevalley-rotary.org.uk/.

Sam Poling programme wins BAFTA award The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Scotland, BAFTA Scotland, announced the winners of this year’s British Academy Scotland Awards at a glamorous red carpet ceremony at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel in November.

Hosted by Edith Bowman, the Awards celebrated the very best in film, television and games produced over the last year in Scotland, with Bill Paterson, Gary Lewis, James McAvoy, Martin Compston and Vicky McClure among the sterling list of presenters handing out the coveted awards on the night.

Winner of the Current Affairs category was the programme BBC SCOTLAND INVESTIGATES: BRITAIN’S PUPPY DEALERS EXPOSED with Liam McDougall, Samantha Poling, Sandeep Gill – BBC Scotland Sam Poling has been a popular guest at Weir Networking’s events at which the members described her as a fascinating and informative speaker. The team at Weir Networking would like to congratulate her and her team on this award.

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Paolo Nutini backs Paisley culture bid at massive event Paisley’s musical megastar Paolo Nutini has thrown his weight behind his home town’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2021.

The singer declared his support during a surprise video message broadcast to a delighted crowd of 30,000 at the town’s Christmas Light Switch-on event, which coincided with the first anniversary of the bid launch.

Paolo - who was brought up in Paisley and still has a home there - told the crowd of his pride in the town and why he was backing Paisley’s culture ambitions.

He said: “I’m backing the bid because Paisley is and always has been my home. I love the town and want to see it grow.

“It’s a town that needs the investment, but it knows what it’s going to do with that investment and I think the potential is really clear. I see the romance of the town - when you walk into the centre it’s got a beautiful composition.

“The bid is about building a structure that can tackle the more deep-rooted problems and it’s important we get behind that. There’s already a new lease of life being brought into the town...I’m backing the bid so please go on the website, push the button, and do the same.”

The annual Christmas Lights event included a special Paisley-themed projection on to the side of Paisley’s 850-year-old Abbey asking residents to back the bid.

The main stage in the town centre was headlined by triple-platinumselling popsters Scouting for Girls, who were joined by up-and-coming Paisley bands the Vegan Leather and Dogtooth, as well as kids favourites Funbox.

Top Tips for Keeping Warm and saving money this Christmas As winter starts to bite, LEAP has prepared a few tips to help you to manage the winter months and energy bills in your home through the Festive Season.

- Check your heating programmer/timer and make sure it’s coming on at appropriate times for the colder weather. £150 per year can be saved by only having your heating on when needed.

- Adjust your thermal radiator valves – using the heating controls appropriately can help you to heat the areas of the home that are needed.

- Measure your room temperature – the recommended temperature for a room thermostat is between 18 and 21°C. Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C could save you £85 per year - Maximise heat from your radiators with radiator reflective panels. These foil sheets fit down the back of radiators and reflect heat back into the room, meaning you get more heat from your radiators for less money.

Come and get yours from our LEAP shops.

- Switch lighting off – we need more lights on for longer periods in the winter, but don’t forget to switch them off. £15 per year can be saved by switching lights off when not in use. For even better savings switch to LED lightbulbs available from our LEAP shops.

- Draught proofing your home – gaps around windows and doors allow heat to escape and let the cold draughts in. Heavy thermal lined curtains will help to keep the heat in. Draught proofing of windows, doors, letterboxes and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can save up to 13% of your heating bill each year. If you’re struggling with time and skills to draught proof we can do it for you.

For further information and advice or to purchase your radiator panels, chimney balloons and LED bulbs, contact LEAP Energy Advisors on 01505 612 034, email info@myleapproject.org or visit our shops at Advance place, Bridge of Weir or Church St, Lochwinnoch. Visit www. myleapproject.org/contact.

The event was organised by Renfrewshire Council and the lights were switched on by Provost Anne Hall, joined by young competition winner Phoebe of Williamsburgh Primary.

The bid is being taken forward by a partnership of local organisations, many of whom were showing their support during the day on social media using #WeArePaisley.

It has been another successful year for RAMH during which services for almost 5,000 people experiencing mental ill health have been provided; that’s 250,000 hours of face to face support. RAMH has also received the highest grading of “excellent” by the Care Inspectorate for their housing support services, plus the Silver Investors In People award.

As you know, RAMH works hard to ensure that they deliver the very highest quality services on the tightest of budgets, which isn’t always easy. RAMH is asking Advertizer readers to consider supporting RAMH with a gift of £2 per month during 2017, to help maintain and develop services; making support even more accessible, and more available, to more people.

Every £1 you donate goes directly towards supporting local people with conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, self harm and others. To set up your donation visit www.virginmoneygiving.com, search for RAMH and click on “make a monthly donation” under Support Us. Or contact enquiries@ramh.org for more info.

If you can, please help RAMH by donating a small amount every month during 2017. Your generosity will make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals.

Have a peaceful and healthy Christmas & New Year from everyone at RAMH! We understand that the festive season can often be a tough time and 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.

If you live outside Renfrewshire call Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Samaritans on 116 123.

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Chivas Brothers in Renfrewshire

Damp Dogs & Rabbit Wee Cast off; ripped off; cheesed off.

Like most local people, I was equally shocked and disappointed to learn that Chivas plan to cease operations in Renfrewshire.

When redundancy strikes for the second time in two years, an ex-bank manager is thrust into the world of the self-employed through a desire to eat and meet his mortgage payments.

Chivas has a long and proud history in the area, and have been great for the town but equally Paisley has been great for the company. We have been a fantastic base for Chivas Brothers and have provided them with a loyal and hardworking workforce.

A series of animal-related vignettes, present an amusing, charming and compassionate look at the life of a Pet Professional.

I spoke with the CEO of Chivas’ parent company Pernod Ricard last Wednesday and expressed my disappointment and surprise to him about this closure. This sudden announcement took many people by surprise and I was disappointed to learn that the trade unions weren’t involved in the process leading up to this announcement.

From the scary to the farcical; the tender to the messy and the cute to the psychopaths - there’s a laugh in (just about) all possible scenarios.

I have since written to the senior management at Chivas Renfrewshire to find out more about how this process will be managed and what can be done to support the workers. In addition, I have also contacted trade union representatives to find out how I can support them in this difficult time.

Proving there’s more to dog walking than simply walking dogs, DAMP DOGS & RABBIT WEE is a humorous, light read that will appeal to all pet owners, animal lovers and dog walkers.

Despite the assurances of no compulsory redundancies, this will be a difficult time for the workers. We need to fully understand the consequences of this decision and what we can be done to help those affected.

Available from Amazon as Kindle edition & paperback: www.amazon.co.uk

Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal Recently, I joined my SNP colleagues in supporting Blythswood Care’s Shoebox Appeal. This is a fantastic cause which allows local people to donate items to those less fortunate than ourselves. For more information on the Shoebox Appeal, please visit: www./shoeboxappeal.

The Author: Colin (Cee Tee) Jackson is a former bank manager from Houston. He has run the Leading Petcare business since 2007 after being made redundant for the second time in two years.

He wrote articles and interview pieces for Artrocker Magazine for a seven year period before deciding to write ‘Damp Dogs & Rabbit Wee’ - more as an exercise than anything else, before embarking upon his current work, a comedy / fantasy with the working title of ‘Soul Survivor,’’ which he aims to publish in the Spring / Summer of 2017.

Diaporama This month’s meeting was Hugh and Gerry. Gerry took us to Italy where we visited ‘Venice from the Grand Canal’ with most of the images taken from the water. For ‘Venice Ceilings and Art’ the images were taken in Palazzo Ducale and the Museo Correr - he included some taken by his wife Shona using a mobile phone showing it doesn’t have to always be a camera! His third sequence used the music ‘Love in Portofino’ sung by Andrea Bocelli who he had seen at the SECC just before they went and this was enhanced by images of the tiny village of Portofino and its neighbour Santa Margherita.

The last sequence ‘Yukon Expedition’ recoded the wanderings of a friend’s son and his family who travelled by canoe from Whitechurch to Dawson City in Canada and into Alaska ending at Tanana on the Arctic circle.

With Hugh we went to see the ‘Doors of Madeira’. In 2014 the ‘Art of Open Doors’ project was started and local artists created wonderful works of art on the doors in a narrow street dating from 1430. We also visited ‘York Minster’ with its beautiful interior including the decorative nave, the West Window - it contains a heart shape known as The Heart of Yorkshire and is the largest medieval stained glass in the world and the Rose Window.

Hugh also did a short tutorial on Pictures to Exe. This is a programme used to produce sequences. It allows us to add images, change how long they will be on the screen, how we want them to change from one image to the next e.g. slide sideways, turn like a page, go slowly/ quickly etc. It is full of great techniques - all it needs are images, music/ commentary and imagination. It is good to look at these programmes to see if anything is new, to see how others are doing things and talk about different ways of making sequences.

Our next meeting is our Christmas Night on Monday 12th December, 7.30pm at the Carrick Centre, Houston. Visitors are always welcome!

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Renfrew Speakers Competition

Club

Youth

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Speech

The recent winners of the East Renfrewshire Schools Youth Speech Competition Heat was a team from Mearns Castle High School and the Runners Up Team was from the Woodfarm High School.

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LOCAL

history

The competing teams were given 3 Topics and to choose one from: 1.

If you could introduce a new subject into your school curriculum what would it be and why?

2.

Tragically, many young people are involved in accidents during the first year after gaining their driving licence. What can/should be done to address this?

3.

The UK Government is being led by only its second female Prime Minister ever.

Should there be positive discrimination to try and address this gender imbalance?

The Winning Team chose Topic No 1 and the new subject they would like to see introduced to their school’s curriculum was MANNERS! The Runners UP team chose Topic No 2.

The winners, Mearns Castle High School, (shown left) from left to right they are: Chairperson Louisa Crearar, Main Speaker - George Knight and Voter of Thanks - Jacques Clapham.

They, as all participants, were presented with an Association of Speakers Clubs Certificate of Achievement by one of the Judges, Yvonne Greeves - Enterprise Manager Scotland, Business Banking , the Royal Bank of Scotland and in addition an Ice Wedge Trophy to the Heat Winners.

The Runners Up Team from Woodfarm High School were Chairperson Ramanpreet Kaur, Main Speaker Molly Ward and Voter of Thanks Carly Corbitt.

From Inverclyde the winning team was St Columba’s High School Team No 2 (shown right) with Chairperson Lewis Morrison, Main Speaker Kara Leck and Voter of Thanks Callum Laing and the Runners Up was Team No 1 from Inverclyde Academy with Chairperson Freya Rennie, Main Speaker Abigail Cameron, and Voter of Thanks Rachel McKenzie-Marner.

In the Renfrewshire Competition Heat the Gryffe High School Team No 2 (shown left) was the winners with Chairperson: Marc Sermanni, Main speaker: Jack Young and the Voter of Thanks was Mia Trollan.

Runners Up was Gryffe High School Team No 1 with Chairperson: Drew Surgenor, Main speaker: Alex Lee and Voter of Thanks was Laura Workman.

The Chief Judge Graham McLachlan, Past National President of the Association of Speakers Clubs, praised the high standards displayed and gave an excellent summary of points to improve on the teams Public Speaking abilities.

Black Cart Mills 4 Castle Semple Loch to Corseford Apart from the Calder Water, several smaller burns feed Castle Semple Loch. On the north side, the Blackditch Burn was diverted by a small dam, to supply the ornamental fish ponds and cascades behind Castle Semple House.

At the north end of the loch, the Brides Burn enters the loch under Fancy Bridge at the beginning of the Black Cart. A short distance upstream was Brides Mill, a traditional grain mill.

Over the centuries, many schemes were devised to dam Castle Semple Loch at the beginning of the Black Cart. The earliest was in the medieval period, to power Auchendinan Mill. Later attempts to drain the loch deepened its outlet, leaving the mill high and dry. Today the flow in the Black Cart is controlled by a weir near the Elliston Burn, operated by Scottish Water.

The minor Elliston (or Linnister or Bowfield) Burn is spanned by Elliston Bridge, but the bridge’s name dates from a much larger bridge, which spanned the Black Cart. This old bridge was demolished in the 1780s and replaced by Garthland Bridge. Up in the headwaters of the Elliston Burn a large printfield was built at Bowfield in the 1780s. Further down, near Elliston Castle, was a Victorian sawmill.

Continuing down the Black Cart, old mill sites continue to be rediscovered.

A 1730s survey shows a Waulk Mill for dressing woollen goods at Thirdpart.

Apart from burns, the river is still fed by ‘levels’ (underground tunnels) which drain old coal and lime workings in the Corseford area. At Corseford the Swinetrees Burn was diverted in the 1770s to turn a waterwheel to drain lime workings. By the Victorian period, this water wheel drove Corseford grain mill. A large reservoir was built in the burn’s headwaters at Whittlemuir (now drained), below the Iron Age fort at Walls Hill. Along with the lesser Skiff Burn to the west, this stored water for Midtown Bleachfield, which had a large water wheel 11 metres in diameter, supplied by a long lade cutting across the hillside.

Further down the Cart a pair of traditional mills stood on either side of the river at Milliken Bridge. Milliken grain mill stood on the north side and, Cochrane Mill, which became a bleachfield in 1796 and later a threshing mill, stood on the south. © 2016, Stuart Nisbet, Renfrewshire Local History Forum Renfrewshire Local History Forum’s next lecture will take place in the Shawl Gallery of Paisley Museum on 8th December, at 7.30 pm. Our speaker is Maureen Kilpatrick of GUARD Archaeology on Recent Investigations at Killiekrankie Battlefield. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.

The Renfrew Speakers Club who organise these competitions in conjunction with the Greenock Speakers Club wish to thank their sponsors for their continued support in hosting these competitions namely, the three local authorities, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

If you would like to learn more about the local Speakers Clubs on how to become a better speaker, better presenter and better leader please visit the Association of Speakers Clubs website http://www.speakersclubs.uk or telephone Bill Robertson on 01505 862862 or Tony Cowden on 01475 783228 who are the Secretaries of the Renfrew and the Greenock Speakers Clubs respectively.

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Monte Carlo Rally 2017 The town of Paisley has once again been confirmed as the sole UK start point for the 2017 historic rally run to Monte Carlo.

It’ll be the fourth time the town – which is bidding to be the 2021 UK City of Culture – will be the only British start point out of seven European cities for a range of historic cars to make the 1,300 mile trip to the South of France.

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Vehicle Winter Check List Antifreeze – check coolant level regularly and, if required, top-up with a mixture of the correct type of antifreeze. Your garage should check concentration to ensure adequate cold temperature protection.

Close to a hundred cars are expected to leave the start ramp outside Paisley Abbey at 6pm on Wednesday January 25th in three separate categories.

The Historique class is being run for the 20th year and is restricted to car models which competed in the Monte Carlo Rallies between 1955 and 1980. It will run over eight days on open public roads with the cars and crews having undertaken a series of fourteen demanding test stages in the mountains of southern France.

The Classique event is for older cars from as early as 1911 to 1980 and follows the same route to Monte Carlo but does not include any test stages, the goal simply being to finish in Monte Carlo after checking in at a series of control points on the way.

Once again the event will feature the popular Monte Heritage Runs which will follow on from the full-scale events and will take in a series of short classic routes in Scotland. In January this year a crowd of more than 10,000 gathered in the centre of Paisley with the magnificent backdrop of the Abbey to wave off the crews in a party atmosphere with lights, music, street food and fireworks ….. and working with staff from Renfrewshire Council and volunteers from many motorsport clubs in Scotland the organisers are confident of making the start even bigger and better next year.

Battery – the most common cause of winter breakdowns. A battery more than five years old may struggle in the cold - get it checked and replaced if necessary to avoid the inconvenience of an unplanned failure.

Fuel – keep at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delay.

Lights – check and clean all lights regularly to make sure you can see and be seen clearly. Carry spare bulbs.

Tyres – should have at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring. Consider winter tyres for improved safety. Check pressures at least every fortnight.

Windscreen – reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen clean inside and out. Now is a good time to renew worn wiper blades.

Screen wash – use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather.

Locks and door seals – stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing.

For further information visit the AA website at:www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/seasonal/winter-checklist

The event was officially launched by Douglas Anderson, the UK co-ordinator and the man responsible for bringing the Monte back to Scotland in 2011.

He believes the 2017 start will be the best yet.

More information can be found at www.monte.scot

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bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

The Bridge

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Brighter Bridge of Weir It’ll all be over by Christmas!

By then, Brighter Bridge of Weir’s work in 2016 will be complete. We’ll be back out a few weeks later, right enough, but that’s another year away. Sort of.

Last month, after putting in an appearance at the One World Fairtrade event in the British Legion, we were out planting more bulbs and tidying up generally, paying particular attention to the war memorial and the roadside weeds along the route of the Remembrance Day Parade.

After that, we got to work with our Christmas lights. For the past few years, we’ve augmented the Community Council’s display at Livery Walk by installing other lighting along Main Street. This year we’ll be adding to that with lights in the new Woodland Garden. Those should all be in place in time for the big switch-on, Monday December 5. After that, our volunteers can get on with their own Festive arrangements.

So there’s not much more for us to say other than to wish all readers and all of our supporters a very Merry Christmas. bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

BoW Senior Citizens Club

We meet at Cargill Hall every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 7 - 9pm. Subscriptions are only £6 per year and £1 each week pays for your tea and biscuits. Entertainment provided. Previous entertainers include a male voice choir & live music. Contact Sheila Patterson for further information on 01505 690521.

A big thank you for your custom over the past five years. With your support and our loyal volunteers we have managed to increase our sales on a year by year basis. The Community Centre and Shop continue to provide financial backing to keep a Post Office in Bridge of Weir.

Support The Bridge this Christmas – send one of our individually designed charity Christmas Cards. View local scenes throughout 2017 in the Bridge of Weir calendar. Also in stock are the popular “Greetings from Bridge of Weir” cards, Traidcraft and relation cards, Christmas paper, gift tags and your essential diary for 2017.

Post Office - call in to check the Christmas postal dates to ensure your parcels arrive in time for that all important day. Christmas stamps and a range of gift cards are now available – Donald, Pat and Anne will be delighted to ensure you are well supplied. Within our Shop you will find a wide variety of padded and postal bags, boxes, wrapping paper, string and wrapping tape to ensure your gifts reach their destination securely wrapped.

Looking for a Christmas or “First Foot” gift - Supreme Sacrifice, a book researched and written by a number of local people about how the Great War affected local families, may be the answer. Buy your copy in The Bridge.

To all residents of Bridge of Weir we wish you a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2017.

The Bridge – Your Community Centre Shop and Post Office (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). Closed 26th & 27th December 2016 and 2nd & 3rd January 2017. bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

At a recent meeting of the Environment Policy Board we had a discussion about dog fouling. This problem is one of the most often raised issues from residents. Irresponsible dog owners let their dogs foul the pavements and the parks with some areas being worse than others. Some councils are going to great lengths by taking DNA samples of dog poo in order to catch the offending owners. Please pick up after your dog and bin it. You can now use the general litter bins for this.

I attended an interesting meeting of the CLG in Dargavel. It seems that Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) are dragging their heels over a new health centre for the village. They state that they can’t afford the running costs which are 5x what they pay for the existing centre. Why a new centre should have such high running costs compared with the existing ancient centre is beyond me.

I think we need to let the RHSCP know how we feel about this. Please contact them directly or via myself.

I had a guided tour of some of the work that BAE Systems are overseeing at Dargavel. The quality of workmanship in the open spaces is very impressive and as more of it opens up to the public I hope you will agree with me. Please keep in touch and let me know what you would like to see there.

Several people have complained to me about cars parked on pavements.

If you must park on the pavement, please ensure you leave enough space for a pram to get by without having to pass by on the road.

Surgeries: Bishopton Community Library - 1st Monday of every month (6.30pm), Cargill Hall - 2nd Monday of every month (6.30pm), Langbank Parish Church Hall - 3rd Monday of every month (6.30pm).

Contact: 0300-300-1291 or email cllr. james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk .

Also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ councillormaclaren “Working with you and improving our local area”. Please feel free to contact me with any of your concerns, and I am happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time.

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New car park in Bishopton Councillor James Maclaren has told The Advertizer that a new carpark has opened at the bottom of Station Road in Bishopton providing 150 parking spaces.

He said, "This should please the residents of Gledstane Road and Poplar Avenue who have long complained about restricted access to their drives by commuters parking in residential areas.

I have requested new signage to direct commuters to the new parking area."

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bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir Messy Church Christingle Service Sunday 4th December from 4 - 6pm We are delighted to inform you that after our break for several months, we will be back for the now annual Christingle service.

We will meet in Freeland Church Halls from 4pm where we will be making Christingles and having fun with some other Christmas craft activities.

We will then move through to the church for the candle-lit Christingle service with some carols. After this we will move back to the Church Hall for a party tea.

If you have never been before, it is very relaxed and informal and a great way to meet new people. The Christingle service is lovely and a time to pause and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.

It's free and you can just turn up on the day. If you have any questions please contact Catherine Daly on 07980 649377 or look at our Facebook page (Bridge of Weir Messy Church).

We hope to see as many of you as possible! bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Christmas Lights Switch-On Monday 5th December - Bridge of Weir The Community Council is holding its Annual Christmas Lights Event commencing with a Carol Service at 6.15pm in Freeland Church with the Primary School Choir, followed by the Lights Switch on by the village Gala Queen at 7pm at Livery Walk where Santa will make a spectacular appearance.

Light refreshments will be served in the Royal British Legion Club until 8pm. A Christmas hamper will be raffled on the evening.

This event is wholly funded by the Community Council and to enable us to continue with this donation buckets will be around in the Church, Livery Walk and in the British Legion. Please give generously. bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Community Carol Service Tuesday 20th December at 6pm St Mary’s Church, Johnstone Road, Bridge of Weir Refreshments of mulled wine and mince pies to follow.

Mrs Rena Scott celebrated her 100th Birthday on the 24th October and Bridge of Weir Festival Committee sent along Gala Queen Paige Galbraith and her two attendants Milla Gibson and Aimee McGrane to present her with a basket of flowers to mark the occasion.

The family would like to thank all those who helped make Mrs. Scott’s day so special!

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir Tenants and Residents Association The last meeting of 2016 was very well attended with a number of topics concerning the village discussed. Our thanks go to Councillor James MacLaren, Police Sergeant Geoff Smith, Renfrewshire Wardens Aideen Dempsey and Alan Robb, and Housing Officer Neil McGavin for their attendance.

The Police report for the last month showed that it was relatively quiet around the village with only 4 crimes committed over the period. These included a common assault, a theft by housebreaking, a fraud, and bogus callers scam surrounding roofing which saw an elderly couple lose thousands of pounds. Please be on your guard with cold callers and if you are suspicious as to their legality at all, please phone the police.

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Langbank SWI Thursday 15th December The Village Centre, Middlepenny Road How quickly the months go by ….. this month will be our Christmas Party with the "Secret Santa" gift (£1 from a well known shop) and a game "On the Move Whist". We will also be having seasonal food, so please remember to Skip your Evening Meal.

Competitions will be:1)

Cake decorated for Christmas (only decoration will be judged).

2)

Flower arrangement - 12” square (incorporating a candle).

3)

Christmas Teddy Bear!

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Happy Birthday Rena

The Renfrewshire Wardens have been particularly busy over the past month dealing with a number of fly-tipping incidents throughout the village. The bins at Livery Walk car park continue to be a prime site for the dumping of illegal rubbish and a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping has been issued at this location over the past month. Hopefully the reopening of Renfrewshire’s amenities sites on Monday 28th November will see a reduction in this problem, in the meantime please phone the Wardens on 0300 300 0380 if you suspect someone is fly-tipping in your area.

Councillor MacLaren at the behest of TARA has been chasing up the reinstatement of the 40mph repeater signs on the street-lighting along Houston Road leaving the village, and these should be installed sometime in the next 16 weeks.

As we move deeper into the winter months, those of you wishing to know the location of grit bins around the village can now get the information via a map on Renfrewshire Council’s website.

TARA would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The next meeting of Bridge of Weir Tenants and Residents Association is on Tuesday 17th January 2017 in the Pirie Centre, Freeland Church at 7.30pm. If you’ve got an issue concerning the village that you’d like to raise why not come along to a meeting and air your views, all are welcome.

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Feeling Dramatic?

Like singing, acting & having fun?

Following the success of last year’s show, The Masqueraders are now preparing for next year’s event.

We need you to come and join us now.

Give it a go. It’s as much about having fun as performing!

Please phone Mary-Anne on 01505 612472.

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir and Houston FairTrade Group

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bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir Community Council PLANNING: The planning applications to develop the Whitelint Gate site one for retail plus petrol station, and one for forty three dwelling houses, have been rejected by Renfrewshire Council’s Planning Board. There had been a substantial number of objections to both of these proposals from local residents and from the Community Council.

Three other applications of interest not yet decided, are a proposal to build eight detached villas and a block of sixteen flats at Lawmarnock Road on ground belonging to Old Ranfurly Golf Club, a proposal to build four detached villas and four split level apartment villas on land at Clevans Road belonging to Ranfurly Castle Golf Club, and the proposal to demolish Hermiston on Golf Course Road to build two detached villas on the site. Check the Community Council Facebook page for updates on these proposals.

PARKING: The Police were asked to inform us what the legislation is concerning

cars parking on pavements, this was after we heard of vehicles fully parked on pavements in various locations throughout the village and blocking pedestrian access. We urge drivers to be more considerate.

Concerns have been raised about the number of free standing signs and bill boards being placed on the pavement. This form of advertising can be hazardous for blind residents or mobility scooter users and we have asked Renfrewshire Council for guidance on this.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 6th December, 7pm, Cargill Hall The Community Council trust all residents will have an enjoyable time over the festive season. bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Saturday 5th November saw the annual World Celebration Day organised by Bridge of Weir and Houston Fair Trade Group and held in the British Legion Hall. The theme for this year’s event was "including you" and this was reflected in the diversity of stalls selling goods and providing information which allowed people to include many aspects of our world Rainbow Turtle One World Shop providing sustainable employment and fair wages for producers and and farmers in the Global South Olive Tree helping those living under very difficult circumstances in Palestine by selling crafts and also providing help with medical and educational needs Goods from Peru and Tanzania sold to give employment and to send much needed aid to these countries At home LEAP offered advice and information in order to help us reduce energy costs and be concerned about Climate Chaos while Brighter Bridge of Weir came along to remind us of the difference they are making to our village.

Children from Bridge of Weir and St Fillan’s primary schools entertained everybody with their lovely singing which reflected the theme of inclusion and fair trade and gave cause for thought as well as enjoyment. Those who were able to stay and enjoy the lunch provided also had the bonus of hearing the Houston Folk Group who played for us so well as they have done in previous years. Last but not least many children enjoyed having their face painted and one lucky pupil one the fair trade hamper!.

A great many people contributed in many different ways to this day and a very big thank you is extended to everyone of them.

Several constituents have raised concerns with me about the constant onslaught of planning applications designed to breach the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan. I totally support the terms of the Plan and was pleased that two recent planning applications for Whitelint Gate in Bridge of Weir, were rejected unanimously by the Planning Board.

All around Renfrewshire, in villages such as Bridge of Weir, Bishopton and Langbank, play parks, recreation areas and even cemeteries are badly in need of maintenance or development. I am pleased to tell you that I have been given an assurance that a post has recently been created for an officer whose role will be to help community groups apply for non-council funding. This will enable some work to be undertaken. Don’t all rush at once - the post holder won’t arrive until next February or March 2017 - time to to plan and organise!

I would like to wish all my constituents a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

If you need to speak to me, please phone 0141 618 7095 or e-mail me at cllr.maria.brown@ renfrewshire.gov.uk kilmacolm & quarriers

Christmas Concert

Sunday 4th December in St Columba Church, Kilmacolm.

Bridge of Weir Choral Society will perform choruses from Handel’s Messiah and traditional carols for all accompanied by Mark Brown on organ. The choir’s guests will be Angel Voices Children’s Choir and Johnstone Brass Band ensemble. Tickets £10 including programme available from members, at the door, or by calling Ernie Smyth on 01505 702997. kilmacolm & quarriers

Christmas Celebrations in Quarriers Village Pastor Andy Lunn, and the members of Mount Zion Church, Law View Road, Quarriers Village invite you to celebrate Christmas with us. At this festive time of year we praise God for Jesus, the source of our joy.

Sunday 18 December - Family Service at 10.30am Christmas truth for all age groups, with puppets, carols and fun.

Christmas Eve - Carols by Candlelight at 7pm Christmas carols for all and musical items from our church and young people.

Come early for a good seat! Followed by seasonal refreshments.

Christmas Day - Family Celebration at 10.30am kilmacolm & quarriers

Hall to Hire - Kilmacolm Guide Hut

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. Anyone wanting to hire the Guide Hut please contact Roz on 07584 359007.

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kilmacolm & quarriers

My surgery is the 10th December 10-11 in the Cargill. I can be contacted on 01475 712727 or 741969 and 07766992294. kilmacolm & quarriers

Candlelight Advent Carol Service Sunday 27th November at 6pm St Fillan’s Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm with Angel Voices.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Harrods Dry Cleaners offers an exemplary Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Ironing and Alterations service focused on high quality clothing, meticulous fabric care and discreet and attentive service.

Harrods Dry Cleaners combines craftsmanship with the most advanced and environmentally friendly techniques in fabric care. Every piece, even everyday items, go through our seven stage cleaning process starting with an evaluation of the fabric and ending with a final hand inspection.

We pride ourselves on service excellence, discretion and meticulous care for each customer’s individual requirements. kilmacolm & quarriers

Outlook

Don’t forget our regular Outlook group which reaches out to the whole community in fellowship. The format is the same for most weeks – invited speakers offering topics of interest, community issues for discussion, shared activities, music films etc. Afternoon tea gives us all the chance to enjoy time with friends and to make new friends too. The team provide a wonderful variety of home baking. A voluntary donation is collected, to be sent to the OUTLOOK monthly nominated charity.

The autumn programme is: 1st December A special presentation with Dr Peter McEnhill 15th December Christmas party, Christmas tombola; Christmas Santa; Carols at the piano with Sandra. Children from St Columba’s primary school will come along to sing for us, and share some Christmas party food and games Every afternoon: Community Issues, Dates for your Diary and Afternoon Tea. Our first Outlook afternoon in January will be Thursday 5th January, with a New Year speed friendship quiz, community issues, and activities.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Bonfire and Fireworks was a great success after several wet years. Thanks are due to Lawrie Campbell and his team, the irreplaceable Sam Johnston, Dougie Lyle of Scart Farm and the villagers who manned the gate. Andrew Malcolm not only supplied the wood but his two sons organised the lighting.

This was the 49th since Alex and Helen Calvert started the event. We intend splashing out next year for the 50th. Again we are grateful to Lord Mclay and Robert Baxter for the use of Knapps. The Farmers Dinner at the Golf Club was chaired

by President Angus Black and organised by Andrew Laird of Cairncurran. The two speakers were excellent.

The works at the Institute have been delayed “the culvert on Smithy Brae is an issue, with discussions ongoing with Roads and Scottish Water. Building Standards is awaiting resolution to confirm any impact on warrantable works". Watch this space but the development is taking inordinate time.

I understand that there is a case coming to Greenock Sheriff Court with regard to the shocking hit and run on the High Road when a horse was killed and the rider unseated. The rider, from Quarriers was badly shaken and dismayed that the perpetrator just laughed and drove away. Good work by the Police and the Fiscal.

I chaired a meeting at Quarriers with representatives of residents in School House, Scottish Water, Inverclyde Council Roads, the factor for the building and Quarriers staff. It is hoped that a solution can be found to the flooding that has occurred in this area. Campbell Snowdon House celebrated the opening of their new conservatory. It is indeed a fine addition to the building and I was quite delighted to be asked to ceremonially cut the ribbon.

Significant increases in Council Tax are being proposed for band E to H houses.

Some 80% of houses in Band H are in my two villages and the increase is considerable. I will research more info for January.

Please watch the area in the car park behind the two disabled spaces, tickets unfortunately are being issued .

Community Carol Service St Fillan’s Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm Thursday 22nd December at 7.30pm.

Community Carol Service of Nine Lessons and Carols followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies – all welcome!

kilmacolm & quarriers

School buildings reopen Councillor David Wilson attended the re-opening of both Kilmacolm Primary School and the new Girdwood Building at St Columba's School.

He told the Advertizer, "Some of us had a tour of the refurbished KPS, led by the very knowledgeable hands of pupil Ann Wright. I have asked the Head Mrs McCredie if neighbours can be shown around the fine building. " "The St Columba's Girdwood Building in Gryffe Road was opened by former dux of the school Eleanor Laing MP, the Deputy Speaker. Her speech in the Church was inspiring for all the pupils and again the walk to the Church behind the pipe band really stirring. The pipe band led the Remembrance Day Parade in Port Glasgow and in Kilmacolm it was good to see some of the band piping the youth organisations through the village to the service in the Old Kirk." kilmacolm & quarriers

Kilmacolm Village Art Class Friday 2nd December 2016 in Kilmacolm Village Centre, 11am – 4pm - admission £1 (incl. coffee) This group of enthusiastic, local amateur artists who have met throughout the winter months for the past eight years are holding the first Exhibition and Sales of their work. Come and enjoy a coffee, and perhaps pick up a Christmas gift for someone Special.

Paintings, moderately priced will be available for uplift at 4pm.

The class meets every Thursday in St Fillans Church Hall. There is a morning and an afternoon class. The session starts in January and runs for ten weeks to March when there is an exhibition in the Community Centre. We have a few vacancies, so if you would like to join a friendly group of budding artists of all abilities, and with tuition available, please give me a call for further information.

Janice Sinclair Tel: 01505 873141.

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kilmacolm & quarriers

kilmacolm & quarriers

A Big Thank you St Columba Church, Kilmacolm would like to thank the Community for their help and support of the Roof Fundraising Events. The repairs are now finished and the Church scaffold free!

The repairs were possible thanks to the fundraising and the grant from the Government’s Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

The Church Halls are available for hire Tel: 01505 873818. kilmacolm & quarriers

kilmacolm & quarriers

Sharon’s back at Ashes Following the birth of her lovely wee boy, Connor, Sharon will be back to join the Ashes Hair team on Thursday 1st December.

She is looking forward to seeing all her existing clients and hopefully meeting new ones. Get your booking in now as pre-Christmas spaces are filling up fast!

Call Ashes Hair on 01505 873800.

Xmas Cards

kilmacolm & quarriers

"Dog Walkers Winter Paradise, the Knapps, Kilmacolm" is the title of Jim Wood’s oil painting (pictured).

Dates for your diary:

Old Kirk Christmas Fair on Saturday 10th December 10am- 12noon in the Kidston Hall.

Tea/Coffee, Tombola, Baking and Christmas Stall, Cupcake competition, Santa’s Grotto. More details will be announced in due course.

Our Annual Burns Supper will be held on Friday 10th February.

The cards are now on sale in Threads and the Post Office in Kilmacolm.

The amount of natural light and spacious surroundings at the newly refurbished Kilmacolm Primary School is all conducive to a good teaching environment. The space also allowed me to move around easier in my new jalopy/powerchair without bumping in to everything! The new outside play areas are very welcome too this being something parents and children had rightly been calling for to replace the former blasé pitch. Well done to Inverclyde Council and the Scottish Government who each provided funding of over £2 million to refurbish KPS.

More details will be announced in due course.

Following reports of several unforced thefts in Kilmacolm I was contacted by a resident who asked if I could request an increased police presence in the village. I was happy to forward this request on and I would like to urge everyone again to please ensure their doors are locked especially in sheds/outhouses and garages. Even more so in the run up to Christmas. If you have house alarms please also make sure they are switched on when going out.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope Santa is good to everyone.

Surgeries: Wednesday 14 December in Kilmacolm Community Centre from 5pm to 6pm.

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 Council, Municipal Buildings, Greenock, PA15 1LY. kilmacolm & quarriers

Reflections for Advent

Christian Aid Scotland have issued a ‘Reflections for Advent’ which are now available in all church vestibules in Kilmacolm. This Christmas, 65 million people simply can’t be at home. Forced out by the darkness of violence and fear, they are searching for safety and refuge.

The donations which you have made through fundraising in Kilmacolm and Quarriers this year have enabled the committee to send in excess of £7,600 to help Christian Aid’s work our world. Thank you. Keep the candle glowing brightly in the darkness - pick up an Advent brochure which leads you to the light of Christmas. kilmacolm & quarriers

Christmas Lights Friday 2nd December Quarriers Village at 4pm Kilmacolm at 6pm Cargill Centre, Lochwinnoch Rd Christmas Lights Switch On with Santa. Come along and join the fun! All events are FREE!

kilmacolm & quarriers

Kilmacolm Friends of Ardgowan Hospice Would like to thank all their supporters who very kindly donated items for the Coffee Morning and a special thanks to those who attended. We had a very successful and enjoyable morning and raised a fantastic sum of £2,765.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Local Service wins Health Award Councillor Jim McLeod reports that The Muirshiel Elderly Resource Centre in Port Glasgow, which also provides services to older people from Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s, won the Health Award at the recent Inverclyde CVS “Reach for the Stars Awards”.

Jim told The Advertizer "The organisation marks their 25th Anniversary and I was very pleased to be invited to their recent Open Day to say a few words and present its Chairperson Pearl Simpson with a bouquet of flowers. Pearl is a founder member of the organisation and has served on the board for all of its 25 years. On the night, Branchton Community Centre won the overall Voluntary Organisation Award for all the great work they do. There were several other excellent voluntary organisations who after nomination had been short listed for the annual awards. We are so very fortunate to have so many good Third Sector organisations and so many individuals who give up their time for free in Inverclyde."

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Sole Solution is the latest addition to Kilmacolm!

As well as a wide range of shoes, boots and slippers they also offer treatments to suit everyone.

For more information about the therapists below or to book an appointment please call 01505 873888.

Podiatry

Hypnotherapy

Sports and Remedial Massage

A Podiatrist is a highly skilled professional who is trained to diagnose and treat problems affecting the feet and lower limbs. Laura completed her Bsc Honors degree in 2010 with a 1st Class classification, she then completed a post graduate diploma to further develop her knowledge of the lower limb. Laura has experience in the NHS and private practice, she offers routine footcare treatments and biomechanical assessments for foot function and abnormalities. So whether you have problems getting to your feet or are suffering a particular problem - a podiatrist is the person for you!

Vaughan Jones is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Hypnobirthing Practitioner who provides an expert therapeutic service that will help you make positive changes in your life and achieve your goals. Working with you, I will develop a treatment plan tailored to meet your individual needs. Hypnotherapy can help you overcome a wide range of issues including Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia, Weight Management, Pain Management, Fears, Phobias, Performance Anxiety, Smoking and Panic Attacks. To find out how hypnotherapy can help you please come and meet me to take advantage of an initial free fifteen-minute consultation and have your questions answered.

Judi Holmes is a fully qualified and insured Remedial and Sports Massage Therapist. If you suffer from a sports injury, muscular discomfort or tension, sports massage can help. It can reduce pain, increase range of movement and flexibility. Massage restores appropriate balance and improves your posture. It can also enhance your athletic performance and reduce the risk of re injury. Additionally massage can also release tension and stress as well as reducing scar tissue.

Judi has a varied client base including those who play sport, go to the gym, office workers and those suffering from everyday aches and pains.

Touch for Health Kinesiology Stressed? Low energy?

Kinesiology is a gentle, safe and effective therapy which brings body, mind and spirit back into balance.

Kinesiology uses gentle muscle monitoring techniques to obtain biofeedback from the body.

This allows the identification of any areas of stress or imbalance (physical, emotional, nutritional or biochemical). Imbalances are then corrected using a variety of non-invasive techniques, including working with acupressure points and nutrition.

Kinesiology is a truly holistic therapy which treats all aspects of wellbeing. Suitable for everyone, it effectively enhances health and allows the body’s natural healing ability to flow. www.melaniekinesiology.jimdo.com

Physiotherapy

Complementary Therapy

Following a full assessment of your problem there are a wide variety of treatment techniques available including acupuncture, electrotherapy, manual therapy, kinesiology taping, manipulation along with exercises and advice on how you can help improve your condition at home.

Catriona Nicolson Therapies specialises in the relaxation therapies of reflexology, reiki, aromatherapy, Swedish massage, Indian head massage and holistic facials. Catriona discovered a passion for holistic therapies when beauty therapy allowed her to travel the world observing different approaches to healthcare.

Various techniques were learnt through working for some of the best spas, salons and beauty companies before returning to study a Bsc in complementary therapies. These skills are utilised to bring you a tailor made treatment. If you are in need of some ‘me time’, the relaxation and peace of mind you need, can be found with these therapies.

Don’t suffer aches and pains over festive period!

Just try it and see!

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. Claire Murray is Health Professions Council registered and a Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists with over 14 years experience in treating musculoskeletal conditions and sport injury rehabilitation.

kilmacolm & quarriers

kilmacolm & quarriers

The Council’s latest budget consultation is now underway. Details of how you can respond can be found on the Council’s website www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay and in the latest issue of the Council’s InView newspaper.

Officers have estimated that the savings target over the next 3 years could be of the order of £22.5m, due in large measure to anticipated government funding cuts.

The scale of the cuts required should become clearer on 14 December when our local MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Derek Mackay, announces the Scottish Government’s draft budget to Parliament.

The responses from the consultation will inform decisions to be taken by the current Council in February when we set the budget for 2017/18 and the new Council elected in May in future years.

The feedback on the £4.3m refurbishment of Kilmacolm Primary School has been overwhelmingly positive. The Council’s Education Director Wilma Bain has described it as the best refurbishment she’s seen to date. A formal event to mark the refurbishment will take place in January.

This year’s Christmas lights switch ons in Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village will take place on Friday 2nd December. We wish all our constituents a happy and peaceful Christmas when it comes.

Councillor McColgan I have one surgery this month on Tuesday 13th December, 6.30 – 7.30 pm, in Boglestone Community 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 Due to other commitments I have no surgeries this month. However, you can still contact me directly to discuss any matters that are of concern to you by telephone on 01475 712020 (during office hours) and 871368 (home) or by email to Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov. uk. Alternatively you can write to me at 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm PA13 4HL. You can keep up to date with my work as a Councillor by visiting my blog: http://councillorstephenmccabe.blogspot.com/ and follow me on Twitter @CllrSMcCabe.

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42nd Kilmacolm Scout Christmas Post Once again we are pleased to announce that we will be providing a Christmas card postal service. We will deliver Christmas cards to residential areas of Kilmacolm. To ensure the safety of our young people, we can only deliver to residential areas – so no farms or rural properties!

From Monday 5th December until 4pm on Friday 16th December you can post your Christmas cards in the Scout post box in either The Kilmacolm Community Centre or The Cross Café.

A minimum 30p donation is kindly requested for each card. The cards will be delivered during the weekend of the 17th and 18th December.

Thank you to everyone in the local community who supports the Kilmacolm Scout Group.

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houston, crosslee & brookfield

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Do you have a field and shelter/barn sitting doing nothing? Do you need the grass in that field kept short? I am looking for this in Houston or surrounding area ASAP. If you want to know more please contact me at your very earliest convenience. Contact Lynn on 07921 829788.

Brookfield had a busy weekend in the village hall at the end of October, with an enormously successful children’s Halloween party. Over 80 children and parents attended with entertainment supplied by The Song & Dance Factory.

Then on Sunday, the ever popular afternoon tea event offered a delicious array of home-made cakes and a chance for residents to catch up with friends and neighbours.

Switching on the Lights - Saturday 3rd December - 6pm In December, Brookfield Village Council have organised a number of events to get you in the Christmas spirit, starting with a candlelit procession from the hall to the Millennium Garden to switch on the lights (and I suspect sing a few carols), followed by refreshments in the village hall. This was a great success of last year, and once again Gowanlea Nurseries & Garden Centre are kindly donating a tree.

Children's Christmas Party - Saturday 10th December - 3pm It is strongly suspected that Santa will visit with a sack of presents! The Song & Dance Factory will be on hand to keep the children entertained whilst they await Santa’s arrival and no doubt everyone will sleep well after all the excitement of the day. Residents are encouraged to submit their ticket requests (£5 per child) to brookfieldvpa@gmail.com as soon as possible.

The Village Carol Service - Sunday 18th December - 2pm A brass band made up from village residents will be accompanying the carol singing and mulled wine and mince pies will be offered immediately afterwards.

Cheese & Wine Occasion - Tuesday 27th December - 2pm - 4pm Arguably our most popular event of the year this offers a great opportunity for residents, visiting families, friends and neighbours to get together for a really sociable afternoon in the comfort of the village hall. See you there!

Hogmanay Dance - Saturday, 31st December - 8.30pm The re-inauguration of the Hogmanay Dance will take place, with live band Dizzy Heights. Tickets are £10 per person (minimum age 16 years) and are on sale now from your local village councillor or by emailing brookfieldvpa@gmail.com.

Needing to Moove quickly

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Houston and Killellan Kirk Kirk Postie - Raising money for ‘QUARRIERS COUNTRYVIEW SERVICE’ providing regular shortbreak residential care for children who have a disability.

For a donation of only 25p a card the Kirk Postie will deliver anywhere in Houston, Crosslee and Brookfield. The Sorting Office, in the West Church Halls, Main Street, Houston, will be open from 10am to 12 noon and again from 7pm to 8pm every day from Monday 12th to Thursday 15th December. Cards may also be taken to the Church on Sunday 11th December. Delivery is guaranteed not later than Tuesday 20th December.

December services The following services will be coducted by our locum Minister - Rev. Ian Bell 4th Dec. 11am Morning worship: Gift service 11th Dec. 11am Morning worship. 7pm Service of Readings and Carols 18th Dec. 11am Morning worship 24th Dec. 11pm Christmas eve service: Carols and Watchnight service 25th Dec. 11am Christmas day service Vestry Hour will be held on Sunday’s after the morning service ,the minister will be available from 12.15pm until 12.45pm.

Big Christmas Sing - Friday 16th December 7-9pm The new big improved Christmas sing will be held on Friday 16th December at 7pm until 9pm in Houston and Killellan Kirk. With an all age supper served from 6pm - hotdogs, sausage rolls, ice cream and Christmas cake. Everyone is welcome singers or not, we guarantee a large helping of Christmas Spirit good fun for old and young. Bring all the family but most of all bring yourselves. Tickets free but we suggest a donation of £5 per adult and £1 for children under 16.

Donations at the door for Mwandi solar lamp appeal.

Kirk 2017 Calendar The ‘Media Team’ have been working on producing a 2017 calendar. It is currently being printed. The calendar is A4 size, one page per month, depicting views of the Kirk and around Houston. We hope to have it on sale very soon priced at £5 each, with all profit going to Kirk funds.

Brookfield Village

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Brookfield Country Dancing club Thursday evenings from 7.30pm - 9.30pm run by Aileen Craig (01505-322684).

New members are most welcome and as an introduction, the first class is free. houston, crosslee & brookfield

At the last meeting of Brookfield Community Council much concern was expressed about the broad issue of overdevelopment of the West Renfrewshire villages, and I am unequivocally behind my Brookfield and Houston constituents who wish to see a strict adherence to the current Renfrewshire Local Development Plan. The current spate of planning applications all around Brookfield and Houston would have a very negative impact on the ability of the A737 to cope with inflated traffic levels, and this is a real concern.

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Bee Happy Houston We have been busy over the last few weeks clearing an area at Houston Primary School in preparation for planting a ‘pop’ of colour come next Spring and have arranged with Renfrewshire Council to have the short stretch of railings bordering the area painted next year.

Bee Happy have also been busy at St Fillan’s Primary School. We have taken away the brambles at the School railings on Main Street allowing light to pour into the playground once again.

Bee Happy Houston were conscious of disrupting wildlife during this tidy up so both Primary School’s were presented with bird feeders and seed as a way of restoring the ecological balance.

Main Street – from the underpass to the roundabout – has also had the Bee Happy treatment. The tree branches have been taken back so as to widen the pavement for pedestrians and great carpets of ivy that were smothering the trees have been removed. We have also cleared a wee area at the bus stop on Main Street allowing for a flower bed to be planted next Spring.

Bee Happy Houston will be manning a ‘fundraising’ stall at the Co-op Houston early next Spring to raise money for summer bedding plants, seed, shrubs, herbaceous and wildflower plants.

Come Spring, we will also be starting a ‘plant share’ and will be gratefully accepting any plant cuttings or divisions from gardeners in Houston!

Everyone is very welcome to come along to Bee Happy!

If you would like to volunteer an hour or so of your time or could help with a trailer, van or 4x4 to help us take the garden waste to the tip or would like more information on ways to donate to Bee Happy Houston then please contact – JennyMeadows10@outlook.com

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The last meeting of Brookfield Community Council was very disappointed that the Boundary Commission has refused their request to include Brookfield in the new ward name, so that after next year’s local elections it would be Linwood, Houston, Crosslee, and Brookfield Ward. Since my election as one of the Councillors for Brookfield nine years ago it is a mystery to me why Brookfield cannot be given its due place. I have written to my colleague, Tom Arthur MSP, to ask him to lobby the Boundary Commission to change their mind and include Brookfield in the new ward name.

One of the great seasonal greetings for this time of year is peace on earth, and goodwill to humankind. I hope and pray that peace can come to all the trouble spots of the world this Christmas, and wish all my constituents and their families a very Happy Christmas and a Good New Year.

My advice surgery in Linwood is on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, at 6pm, in Linwood High School. But I am also always available to constituents who can call me on 07768 130935, or e-mail me at cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk. kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Kilbarchan Parish Church Shoebox Appeal

Kilbarchan Parish Church Christmas Fayre

A record filled 84 boxes and a substantial donation of money were delivered to Blythswood Care Trust in Hillington.

Saturday 3rd December in the halls from 10am - 12noon.

There will be a large variety of stalls, including Christmas baking and gifts, and children can have their photos taken with Santa. Entrance is £2, which includes coffee, mince pies and shortbread, children free.

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houston, crosslee & brookfield

At Renfrewshire’s Planning Board meeting earlier this month the controversial planning application, from the UK government Home Office, for a short term immigration detention centre adjacent to Glasgow Airport was unanimously rejected by the Planning Board members. Also refused at that meeting was an application for a residential development at Whitelint Gate in Bridge of Weir with part of this proposed land development adjacent to Crosslee Road in Ward 9. Renfrewshire Council is one of six Local Authorities who has offered the Home Office a number of places for ‘Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children’ who are currently in Calais. The Home Office has not confirmed arrival dates for the children as this is due to the rapidly changing situation in France, however it is likely their arrival will be sometime in November .

This year I again had the privilege of representing Renfrewshire Council on Remembrance Sunday and lay a poppy wreath at the War Memorial in Houston. £762,450 has been awarded by the Scottish Government to Renfrewshire Council for new projects in the Council’s ‘Home Energy Efficiency Programme’ for 2016/17. I was disappointed that Houston/Crosslee were not included in the proposed areas detailed in the report and I have asked that priority be given to our area should further Energy Efficiency funding be allocated in future years.

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

houston, crosslee & brookfield

H.O.S.T. The Carrick Centre, Houston (Houston Old School Trust) Monday to Friday, Woodlands Out of School 01505 615438 MONDAY Yoga (5th, 12th) 1pm Mary Laidlaw 01505 229112 Diaporama (12th) 7.30pm TUESDAY Paint Pot Tots (6th, 13th) 10am Dawn Campbell 07789 262350 Musical Theatre (6th, 13th) 3.30pm - 5pm Yoga (6th, 13th) 7pm M/s Lawson 01505 613690 WEDNESDAY Councillors Surgeries (21st) 6.30pm Gryffe Melody Makers (12th) 7pm Camera Club (7th, 14th) 7.30pm THURSDAY Gryffe Quilting Group (1st) 1.15 3.15pm Primary Colours (1st, 8th, 15th) 3.30pm Dawn Campbell 07789 262350 Crafty Friends (1st, 15th) 7.30pm Folk Club (weekly) 8pm iaintdawson@ gmail.com 07786 078952

Alison Bannerman, Agnes Brand, George Grant and Phyllis Mulligan, have wonderful colourful paintings for sale, a local jewellery artists is currently working on a range of small pieces to cherish and Fairtrade offers an extensive selection of quality bits and pieces.

FRIDAY Yoga (2nd, 9th, 16th) 10.30am M/s Lawson 01505 613690 Galaxy Dancing (2nd, 9th, 16th) 3.30 - 7pm MP Surgery (11th) 12.30 – 1.30pm SATURDAY Galaxy Dancing (3rd, 10th, 17th) 9.30am - 12 noon SUNDAY Baptist Church (weekly) 11am and (6pm 4th & 11th) Booking enquiries to Ian Simpson, 01505 612203 Sandy Young 01505 331488 Bill Haddow 01505 690693 hostbooking@outlook.com or The Coffee Shop

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Lochwinnoch SWI As there is no meeting in December, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all members and friends a Very happy Christmas and a Good New Year. We look forward to welcoming everyone again on the 18th of January.

The St Vincent de Paul Society The conference members of Our Lady of Fatima Lochwinnoch and Christ the King Howwood would like to wish all the villagers and their families a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and prosperous New Year.

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club Christmas Party - Monday 19th December at 9.45am The highlight will be a visit from Santa. The club will resume on Monday 9th January.

The club takes place on Monday mornings from 9.15 - 11.30am in the hall, when there is a large variety of toys and a bouncy castle for the tots - from birth - 3 years - and coffee and friendly chat for the accompanying adults, cost £1 for each adult.

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Bobbins, Steeple Street, Kilbarchan, not only have their exciting new festive menu with all the right ingredients to tempt your winter taste buds, they have also got lots of ideas for Christmas gifts on display.

Christmas can be yet another challenging time, looking for ideas, trying to find something different, something special, you may find it here on your doorstep at Bobbins.

Festive soups, lunches, home made cakes and coffee to die for - make a visit to Bobbins.

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Paintings And Crafts For Christmas

My surgeries are held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Brookfield Village Hall from 6pm to 6.30pm then in the 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.gov.uk or through Renfrewshire Council on 0300 300 1265.

kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Speeding in Kilbarchan has been the subject of a number of discussions at the village community council meetings - Branscroft, High Barholm, Barn Green and Shuttle Street are particular hotspots. As a local resident my own view is that the problem is increasing and reflects that of many other villagers in the areas noted. As speeding is unlawful, it is high time to look at what enforcement measures are being undertaken to deter those responsible I believe that there needs to be an increase in enforcement. Prior to further discussion with Police Scotland, I have submitted a freedom of information request to ascertain the number of speeding offences and subsequent penalties that have been recorded in Kilbarchan in the last 6 months.

Following concerns raised by parents, and subsequent approaches to SPT and Renfrewshire Council, planned changes to the Kilbarchan primary school bus drop off and pick up points in the village, which were due to have been implemented at the end of October have been abandoned.

Winter is now well and truly with us, and I have been in discussion with Renfrewshire Councils Community Services, to ensure that adequate amounts of salt and grit bins are available to cope with anticipated cold weather.

Finally as this is the last edition of the Advertizer in 2016, may I wish everyone in Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

My next surgery will be on Saturday 3rd December at 9am in the McKillop Institute Lochwinnoch and 10am in the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan. Please note that I will not be holding a surgery on the first Saturday in January. Meantime please contact me anytime at cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 300 1274 or 07534 156007.

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Obituary - Russell Young The sudden death of Russell Young has saddened and shocked Kilbarchan.

Russell played an active part in many Village activities.

Since 2001 Russell has been a valued Board member of Kilbarchan Improvement Projects - a registered Charity – which runs The Old Library Centre in Kilbarchan.

The Board will miss his calm and thoughtful reasoning, his willingness to help and his expert knowledge of genealogy. He delighted in finding the information requested by tourists and locals and helping them in their research for family ties. This service was greatly appreciated and created a number of friendships throughout the world. Russell provided guitar lesson in the Centre encouraging a wide range of age groups to learn the delight of playing his favourite instrument.

We offer our sincere sympathy to Jean and his family. kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2017 Betty McKellar Family Poetry Competition The theme of the 2017 Family Poetry Competition is ‘The Spirit of Lochwinnoch’, and this time we’ll be looking for illustrated poems about Lochwinnoch’s rich heritage of crafts. This also is supporting the Renfrewshire Paisley 2017 bid for City of Culture in 2021. There have been some changes made to the competition, and we hope it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!

Firstly, to acknowledge the huge contribution our local bard has made to the competition in the past, and the inspiration she continues to be, its name has been changed to the ‘Betty McKellar Family Poetry Competition’.

Secondly, in order to inspire budding poets, we’re running two ‘pre-events’. The first will be in the Castle Semple Visitor Centre, on Sunday February 5th from 1pm to 3pm. It’s called Maps Old and New, and historian, geographer and TV presenter Vanessa Collingridge will show us maps of the local area, explaining how our social history was shaped. She’ll also guide us in making our own personal maps.

The second ‘pre-event’ will be on Sunday February 19th from 1pm to 3 pm in the McKillop, and it’s Crafts from the Past. In a very ‘hands-on’ afternoon, we’ll see a cooper assemble a barrel, watch demonstrations of weaving, and even try a loom ourselves. There will also be all sorts of historical artefacts to handle, and photographic material from Lochwinnoch’s past.

In addition, and perhaps most importantly of all, we’ve invited older Lochwinnoch residents to come along and share their precious memories of the past - over cups of tea of course, while local duo Witches’ Brew sing about ‘the spirit of Lochwinnoch’.

The actual poetry workshop will be held in the Lochbarr Leisure Centre on Sunday March 5th from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and will be run by Vanessa Collingridge and Franzeska Ewart. There are two age categories, 5-8 years and 9-12 years, with three prizes awarded in each category. All the poems will be displayed after the Arts Festival, and published in the Community Council newsletter.

We hope that families entering the competition will attend the pre-events, but if they are unable to, or can only come to one, the highlights of both afternoons will be available for them to see on film. Some of the artefacts and pictorial material will also be there for them to see.

PRIZES: 1st - £30 - Franzeska G Ewart, 2nd - £20 - Vanessa Collingridge, 3rd - £10 - Morag Thow kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Christmas Charity Yard Sale Join Heritage Farmers Market Shop & AMG Properties in Lochwinnoch for their Christmas Charity Yard Sale on Sunday 11th December from 11am - 2pm We are holding a Christmas Charity Yard Sale in aid of Erskine Hospital. We will have some fantastic stalls including hand crafted items, Forever Living products and hand made soaps.

Erskine Hospital representatives will also be coming along. So why not pop by and grab yourself something different for Christmas presents or a wee treat for yourself! kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

A737 Safety Concerns

Councillor Derek Bibby reports that all Ward 8 councillors, and representatives from Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch community councils met recently with officers from Renfrewshire Council and Transport Scotland, to discuss long standing safety concerns on the A737.

Derek told The Advertizer, "The road is managed and maintained by Transport Scotland, and daily traffic on the stretch from Kilbarchan to Lochwinnoch is very busy with around 25,000 vehicles, which compares with the M8 at Bishopton and the A77 at Kilmarnock. Sadly there was a very disappointing response from Transport Scotland to a number of positive suggestions for upgrade, including dual carriageway, slip road or roundabout at Howwood, and a footbridge at the Roadhead roundabout near Lochwinnoch. Further discussions are planned, as the genuine anxieties of local folk need to be recognised and acted upon."

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Kilbarchan Smile has it in the Bag! A Renfrewshire community group’s efforts have helped to keep the historic village of Kilbarchan looking spick and span.

“The Big Kilbarchan Smile Autumn Clear Up” attracted almost 40 volunteers to do their bit to tidy the village up before winter.

Damon Scott, Joint Chair of Kilbarchan Smile, said: “This was another fantastic effort and attracted a real mix of people from families with very young children to pensioners. It’s great to know that so many people take a pride in where they live and are prepared to give up their time to help. It definitely helps teach the kids not to drop litter in the first place. In fact our youngest volunteer even asked her granny if Santa would bring her her very own litter picker!”

Joint Chair, Gail Scoular added: “Kilbarchan Smile would like to thank everyone who took part. Almost 40 people attended and around 50 sacks of litter were collected as well as a bike frame and two folding chairs! A special thanks must go to Habbies Bar and Restaurant for providing refreshments on the day.”

Greener Renfrewshire Do Your Bit provided equipment including litter pickers, hi viz vests, bags, bag hoops and gloves.

For more information about Kilbarchan Smile and to get involved email hello@kilbarchansmile.co.uk, phone Gail Scoular on 07985 749220, join the group “Kilbarchan Smile” on Facebook or sign up to the emailing list at www. kilbarchansmile.co.uk. Kilbarchan Smile is a sub-committee of the Kilbarchan Community Council.

Our volunteers - Ready for Action! kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

We are entering one of the most exciting seasons of the year for Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch. Every weekend from now to Christmas brings a whirl of Craft Fayres, Xmas Lights openings, and Fireworks Displays, which all serve to bring our village communities together. Our community volunteers in Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch do so much, and recently I was pleased to attend the Kilbarchan Smiles Clean Up, and a social evening by Lochwinnoch Community Council focussing on supporting small businesses in the village.

It is now nearly five years since I was honoured to have been elected as one of the three Ward Councillors for the Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, and Lochwinnoch Ward. I have had some successes, and some setbacks, but I have relished and enjoyed every moment of it. I hope to be re-elected next May and will continue my long-standing practice of working hard for all constituents, regardless of their political views. I would like to wish all my constituents and their families a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

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. 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. kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Kilbarchan During the month of December, the group will be taking part in a murder/mystery play, written by an N.W.R. member for which we send a donation of £10. The author has written 4 plays to date, and she has raised thousands of pounds for charity. If you are interested in finding out more, please phone 703786 or see the website: www.nwr.org.uk. kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Book Group Tuesday 13th December, 7.15pm in the Old Kilbarchan Library If you enjoy reading and would like to join a Book Group then why not come along to Kilbarchan’s monthly group of reading enthusiasts? On December 13th at 7.15pm, two books will be discussed - the classic “The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie” by Muriel Spark and a Rebus detective novel “Knotts and Crosses” by Ian Rankin.

As this is the Christmas Book Group there will be wine and nibbles. All are welcome to come along - everyone gets an opportunity to recommend books to read together giving an interesting mix of different literature.

17/11/2016 17:27:07

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december 2016

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Bowfield Hotel, Howwood

Do you want the skills to help save a life?

Lead by Lochwinnoch and Howwood Heart Start The next date for the FREE two hour course:

Wednesday 14th December 7pm - 9pm Bowfield Hotel, Howwood

howwood & elderslie

Howwood Community Council

Howwood Community Council has, with the help of the British Heart Foundation, purchased a Defibrillator and Outside Support Case. With the help and assistance kilbarchan & lochwinnoch of Renfrewshire Leisure it has been positioned on the roadside wall of the village hall. This makes it accessible 24/7.

Services continue at 11am each Sunday throughout December, conducted by Rev. The outdoor support case is easily accessed if the Stephen Smith. Sunday School and the creche meet in the large hall from 10.45am Defibrillator is required. When opened the case each week and refreshments will be served after the service as usual. has an audible alarm which switches off after the Defibrillator has been Sunday 11th December - The annual Gift Service, when all gifts will be distributed removed and the case closed. Full operational instructions are enclosed on the Defibrillator in easily understood terms. between the children of Easterhouse and the Paisley Women’s Refuge.

On Sunday 18th at 11am, the children of the Sunday School and Junior choir will present Meetings of the Community Council take place in the village hall on the their Nativity Play “Born in a Barn”. At 6.30pm, there is a service of Nine Lessons and second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm. Feel free to come along and learn what other innovations are planned for the village.

Carols, led by the Senior Choir, followed by coffee and mince pies in the hall.

Saturday 24th - Christmas Eve - The family service is at 6.30pm and the Watchnight howwood & elderslie service is at 11.30pm with carol-singing from 11.15pm.

Many of you might know this already but just to confirm Sunday 25th - Christmas Day - The family service is at 10.30am and children -and that the amenity site in Johnstone is due to go back to adults - should bring along one of their presents. full service on the 28th November.

Sunday 1st January 2017 - Morning worship is at 11am as usual.

The problems with the safety record of the A737 continues to be a problem and along with local people, All welcome to any or all of these services.

Howwood Community Council and others the council are kilbarchan & lochwinnoch in discussions with the Scottish Government at how we can improve the situation on this stretch of road. Talks are ongoing concerning the possible community take over the Howwood pitch. I will keep readers updated .

The new LCD lights are causing much discussion. Some Thursday 15th December at 8pm, people like them and others are raising concerns about Kilbarchan Guide Centre them. I suppose the jury's still out but I would be happy to hear people's Music will be provided by Susan and views.

Shona MacFadyen and the following I was unable to attend this year's Remembrance Service in Howwood as I lively programme is planned:was laying the wreath in Johnstone at the same time. In what was my last Pelorus Jack. Lady Sophia Lindsay. service as a councillor it was an honour to pay tribute to the service men Dreamcatcher. Laird of Milton’s Daughter. Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan. Peggy’s and women of this country .

Strathspey. Seton’s Ceilidh Band. Bratach Bana. Minister on the Loch. Mairi’s My surgery on the 22nd December will be cancelled due to the Christmas Wedding. period. I can however be contacted by phone or e mail.

Dr Morag Thow and Liz Simpson

Kilbarchan Parish Church

howwood & elderslie

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

Gryffe Scottish Country Dance Club Christmas Party

A warm invitation is extended to members of the Scottish Country Dance Clubs in Renfrewshire to come and partake, as our guests, in the music, dancing and refreshments. Contact:- Les Lambert at 01505 704398. kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Kilbarchan Parish Church Christmas Afternoon Sunday afternoon, 11th December, at 2pm Join us for a Christmas afternoon in the hall, with entertainment by the St James’ Handbell Ringers and local choir, Village Voices.

The Handbell Ringers are fascinating to watch. Donation tickets are £5 and include mulled wine, mince pies and shortbread.

I will close by wishing all readers a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year. howwood & elderslie

Howwood SWI Tuesday 20th December - Christmas get together with Taste and Try. Santa Bag - give and receive. Competition - Funny Christmas card. Vote of thanks - Morag Wills. Note - 7pm start tonight please.

Meetings in Howwood Village Hall. A warm welcome to all. Contact Irene on 01505 704800 for further details.

Kilbarchan Parish Church Midweek Fellowship - Continues from 10.30am for coffee, followed by a short service of worship, on Wednesdays in the small hall. kilbarchan & lochwinnoch

Kilbarchan Singers’ Christmas Concert Kilbarchan Parish Church (off Steeple Square, Kilbarchan), on Friday 9th December at 7.30pm.

Come and hear festive music by Lauridsen, Holst and Chilcott, plus traditional carols. Conductor Edwin Hillier. Also featuring Kilbarchan Parish Church Junior Choir, with conductor, Moira Gray. Refreshments available in the Church Hall after the Concert.

Adults £8.50, (children free) available from Choir members or by telephoning 01505 324169

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

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Wildlife Crime To report a wildlife crime you can telephone the non-emergency 101 number.

The 101 number should be used to contact the police when you don’t need an emergency response. In an emergency always dial 999 – when a life is in danger, a crime is in progress or a suspect is nearby.

LOST PETS?

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If your pet has gone missing and you would like to place a notice in The Advertizer, please call 01505 613340 or email

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We can also put updates on our website & Facebook.

There is no charge for this service!

Pet Blog

by PetVets

Hyperthyroidism in Cats Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal disease in cats, affecting 10% of the cat population over the age of 9. It affects the thyroid glands, which produce the hormone thyroxine. This hormone controls the body’s metabolism (the speed at which the body uses energy).

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid glands produce too much thyroxine causing a faster metabolism and stimulation of the central nervous system. The increased metabolism can affect many organs in the body and can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, high blood pressure and other serious diseases.

Signs of hyperthyroidism include: • Weight loss • Good / often increased appetite • Poor coat, scruffy appearance • Altered behaviour or personality, often restless and irritable

Dogs Trust Christmas Fair Come join in all the fun and games at our Dogs Trust Glasgow Christmas Fair on Sunday 4th December and help raise much needed funds from 12 noon - 3.30pm.

A variety of fundraising stalls, stocking fillers, raffle, Dogs Trust items for sale, home baking, doggy home baking and some festive refreshments all await your arrival.

Why not bring the kids and dogs along to say hello to Santa Paws in his grotto.

For more information please contact Emma-Louise Livingstone on Emma-Louise.Livingstone@ dogstrust.org.uk Or by calling 0141 7735141.

Limited parking at rehoming centre.

Please use public transport where possible.

Diagnosis is by a simple blood test to measure thyroxine levels in the blood. The vet will usually also run other blood tests to check for associated conditions such as kidney failure which may require treatment.

There are 4 options for treatment of hyperthyroidism once diagnosed.

These are: • Medication to reduce thyroxine production (tablets or liquid) • Specialist iodine restricted diet to reduce thyroxine production • Surgery to remove the abnormal thyroid gland(s) • Referral to a specialist centre for radioactive iodine treatment, which reduces the amount of functioning thyroid tissue While undergoing treatment your cat will require regular checkups and blood tests to monitor progress. When treating with medication or diet this will be ongoing for the remaining lifetime of the cat.

Generally cats with hyperthyroidism respond well to treatment and the prognosis is good.

• Occasionally increased drinking • Vomiting and / or diarrhoea Cats with hyperthyroidism may display some or all of these signs.

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17/11/2016 10:20:32

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

Arapis - Approx. 1 - 3 year old male domestic Arapis is quite a scared boy as he was a stray for a while so he would need a patient owner who would give him time to come out of his shell. He would like an adult only home with no other pets please & once he’s settled, which could take a few months, he would like to be able to go outside again so he would need a garden not near a busy road.

Tia Maria - 4 year old female Tia Maria is a nice little girl whose owner sadly passed away. She needs a home with no children but she is not sure of other pets as she have never lived with any. She would like a wee garden to stretch her paws in.

Cardyke Farm, Langmuirhead Road, Auchinloch, Glasgow G66 5LD - Telephone 0141 779 3341

Mike - an 8 - 13 month old Guinea Pig (must be paired with Jim)

december 2016

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SSPCA - Sponsor A Space From dogs, cats and rabbits to horses and small animals, we care for lots of different animals in our rehoming centres. We also look after sick and orphaned wild animals at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre, including birds, seals and hedgehogs.

What is Sponsor a Space? - You can sponsor the spaces where we care for animals, including dog kennels, cat, bird and hedgehog units, horse stables, small animal and rabbit enclosures and seal pens. Your sponsorship lasts for a full year and will help pay for the food and veterinary treatment of the animals cared for in the ‘space’ you have chosen to sponsor.

What will I receive? - Sponsors will have their name

displayed at the centre they have chosen and will receive a certificate of thanks, a window sticker, our magazine* and an update letter about one of the animals their sponsorship has helped along with a photo. (*13s and over)

Sponsorship as gift - Sponsor a Space is a fantastic gift for Birthdays, Christmas, Anniversaries and any other opportunity you can think of! You can have your sponsorship pack sent to you or the person you are giving the gift to. Just select your preferred option during checkout.

Visit the website at https://www.scottishspca. org/shop/sponsor-a-space/ for further information.

Animal Helpline 03000 999 999

Mike can be a shy boy and is taking a little time to settle in. He will need an owner who will give him the proper care and attention he needs, along with correct handling to build up his confidence. Mike came in with his friend Jim and is part of a pair. They would love to go to their new home together but could potentially go as a partner for an existing Guinea Pig.

Jim - a 4 - 6 month old male Guinea Pig (must be paired with Mike) Jim can be a shy boy and is taking a little time to settle in. He will need an owner who will give him the proper care and attention he needs, along with correct handling to build up his confidence.

Sponsor a dog kennel - £95

Sponsor a cat unit - £65

Sponsor a horse stable - £135

Sponsor a seal pen - £100

Sponsor a hedgehog unit - £30

Sponsor a bird unit - £70

Sponsor a rabbit enclosure - £45

Sponsor a small animal enclosure - £40

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

Ollie - a 8+ year old crossbreed Ollie is a gorgeous, gentle boy who takes a while to get to know new people. Once he gets to know you though he loves cuddles and spending time with you. Ollie LOVES food and learning new things. Ollie needs an adult only home with his own secure garden to practice his training in. Ollie needs a calm, quiet home with someone who is around all day to help him settle and get used to his new home. Ollie needs to be the only dog in the home and would like quiet areas to go for walks. He needs to be kept on lead on walks.

Itsy - Chihuahua: Long Hair -Age: 1 to 2 Years Male Itsy is an excitable little chap who loves to run!

He loves to play fetch and after his exercise he loves to curl up and have a snooze! Itsy can live with children who are 16 years old or over and needs his own secure garden to practice his training in. Itsy is ok with some dogs, but may need careful, slow introductions & may benefit from being the only dog in the home. Itsy needs a calm, quiet home who are willing to take their time letting him come out his shell and who are aware he is not a lap dog. Someone who has previous experience of owning dogs like him before would also help him settle.

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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Bridge of Weir Horticultural Soc

Xmas tree sales throughout December – Cut your own tree and make it a family day out. Thursday 8th, 15th December - Wreath Making Class 10am – 2pm Make your own wreath in time for Xmas. Made from moss, holly & yew from the estate. £15.50 includes materials. Pre booking essential.

Santa’s Grotto 11am – 4pm on Saturday 3rd, 10th and 17th, Sunday 4th, 11th and 18th and Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December.

Santa’s coming to Finlaystone; follow the magical Santa trail to find Santa’s grotto. £15 per child (includes 1 accompanying adult free).

Pre booking essential call early to avoid disappointment.

Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank PA14 6TJ Tel: 01475 540505 E:info@finlaystone.co.uk

Regular Visitor?

Why not become a member? You can visit Finlaystone as often as you can with our great membership options.

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Madeira in Bloom by Sandra Halliday On a cool evening in Bridge of Weir, Sandra introduced us to the wonderful plant life of the sub-tropical island of Madeira. Situated far out in the Atlantic its mild climate has enabled the introduction and cultivation of warmth requiring plants from all over the world. So much so that she likened the plant growth to that of a Botanic Garden collection.

Sandra outlined the history of Madeira, which means wood in Portuguese, starting with its discovery by Portuguese explorers in 1420; thence colonization commenced. The native forest flora was much affected especially by severe burning to make way for agriculture. It is said that the forests burnt for 7 years!

Today the only remnants of Laurel Forests – the Laurasilva - remain along the West and North Coast. The burning took place mostly in the 15th century and at first Wheat was cultivated but this gave way to Sugar Cane to produce sugar for Madeira production.

Later competition from the tropical colonies made the Sugar Cane crop unprofitable and much of the land was planted with fast growing trees such as Eucalyptus. Sugar Cane can still be found and Eucalyptus trees are dominant in many areas. Along with these plants a huge number of tender garden plants can be seen both in the countryside and especially around the towns.

Terracing was used extensively in order to cultivate the steep hillsides although these are less used today. These areas were irrigated by the famous canals or ‘Levadas’ bringing water from high up the hills to the lower areas. The maintenance paths along these canals now provide accessible walks to explore the flora.

Sandra explained that most of the native flora had been lost but that she had seen Erica Scoparia, the native tree heath and the Til tree or Stink Laurel along with the Madeiran Holly and Madeiran Mahogany. The Dragon Tree, Dracaena draco, now only grows in Monte Gardens. It was used by the Romans as a purple dye plant. Tender plants which in this country would be treated as houseplants or heated greenhouse material in Madeira are quite happy outdoors such as Codiaeum with its brightly coloured foliage, Aechmea – one of the urn plants and Hibiscus which flowers profusely.

Much of the introduced flora arrived in Madeira as ships plied the trade routes. Many plants from Southern Africa and South and Central America such as the Calla Lily, Bermuda Buttercup, an Oxalis, and Giant Groundsel are examples.

If visiting a must to see would be the Botanic Gardens with its varied collections but also spectacular bedding schemes with plants such as Iresine herbstii, Beefsteak Plant in its many colour forms. Sandra did point out that throughout there are interesting plants to see such as Bougainvillea, Poinsettia (growing into a tall shrub) and Jacaranda with its purple haze of flowers to name a few.

Certainly a must to visit for keen gardeners.

17/11/2016 16:03:37

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december 2016

PCPC

Kilmacolm Camera Club

“Guy Phillips’s image “Safely Through” wins at Paisley Colour”

We have been entertained and informed with a variety of talks and practical evenings. Bill Ham gave us another of his master classes, entitled “How to Judge” (no – it wasn’t Volume 10 of the Encyclopaedia Britannica!). He set out the important techniques that go into the making of a good photograph, using examples of successful, and less successful, images. It provided a lot of excellent tips, both for beginners and hardened veterans.

Paisley Colour Photographic Club were pleased to welcome Campbell Skinner DPAGB, PBE2 (Greenock) to judge the first of this session’s three bimonthly competitions recently held in the McMaster Centre in Renfrew.

Club members could submit up to three digital images each and a very considered critique was given to each of the eighty-seven entered images

by Campbell. He pointed out how images could be improved, for example by closer cropping or by removing distracting highlights. He admitted that he had a very difficult task of having to rank the top images and to select the fifteen top images in the advanced section. Entries in the three categories: introductory, intermediate and advanced included a wide range of subjects from landscapes and natural history images to sports photography and portraits.

In the introductory section David Scott’s colourful and well composed portrait “Happy Schooldays” was awarded top place whilst in the intermediate section Jim Murdoch’s excellent timing earned him top position for his natural history portrait “Oriental Short Tailed Otter”.

After the many opportunities for photography during the summer break there was a range of fantastic images vying to be highly ranked in the advanced section of the competition.

Campbell judged Richard Bennett’s beautifully lit and composed wild animal study “Hyena Mother and Cubs“ to be in third place in the competition.

Pauline Smith’s stunning macro photography work earned her second position. Her close composition of two moss sporophytes is entitled “Just The Two of Us”. The top position in the Club’s 1st Bimonthly Competition of the session was awarded to Guy Phillips for his superbly framed dramatic action shot of a canoeist steering through rapids entitled “Safely Through”.

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Members were able to put their new-found judging skills into practice when they judged our Summer Assignment “Transport” competition. Appropriately, Bill came first, with “Engine Driver”, Janice Stevenson was second, with “Heels over Head” and David Addison and Tina Marr came third equal, with “Quicker by Bike” and “London Eye“, respectively.

Some of the winning images are shown here.

Last month, we had a superb show from Ken Lindsay, of Eastwood Camera Club. The first half was entitled “Four Days in Iceland.” Particularly impressive were his shots of breaking seas, where he demonstrated how to turn a bland, lifeless, dull-day image into a wonderfully-lit (award-winning) photo. In the second half, he gave us some more insight into some very useful photo-manipulation techniques.

A first-class evening.

Please come along and find out how to improve your images (or just sit back and admire the work of some of our speakers).

Venue: Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01; Tuesday evening, time 7.30pm.

Contacts: Billy Blair, Tel: 873383; Janice Stevenson, Tel 873595.

Website: clikpic.com/kilcamclub/

Club meetings continue on Thursday evenings at the McMaster Centre with a variety of lectures and competitions. Visitors are always welcome. For further details about PCPC and updated members galleries please view: www.paisleycolour.co.uk

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Welcome to Scotland’s largest Regional Park Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers!

Lunderston Bay in Play Equipment Bid Huge congratulations to the Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers who won the Volunteer Team of the Year Award at the Reach for the Stars Inverclyde Community Awards!

New Website & Gift Vouchers: We have a new website complete with online booking! Plus pick up some gift vouchers for sailing, kayaking or canoeing courses, valid for the whole of 2017.

We Support the Bid

Lunderston Bay’s play area project has been shortlisted in the Tesco #bagsofhelp campaign for voting instore. Voting in Greenock & Port Glasgow has just closed, fingers are crossed as we await the results.

Branching Out Photo Win Congratulations to Susan from the Greenock Cut’s SAMH group who won the national Branching Out photo competition! Her picture ‘Oak Leaves and Water Droplets’ was the judges’ favourite and she wins a session with a pro photographer for the whole group!

Pedal the Park Road Sportive Sunday 23rd April Online entry is now LIVE for this 100km sportive! Sign up now for just £15.

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is now an ambassador organisation for the Paisley bid for City of Culture 2021. Pick up promotional pens, balloons and fill out a card as to why you think Paisley should win.

Ride 63 Community Cycle Club

Bike Show and Demo Day Sun 11th Dec

Thank you for your support and use of the Regional Park in person and online during the year we wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2017. Please remember Castle Semple Visitor Centre is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day closing at 2pm the days before and opening at midday the day after.

Clyde Muirshiel has teamed up with RT Cycles Glengarnock and Ride 63 for a bike show and demo day. See the new 2017 Merida models, browse 2016 bargains, have a go on an electric bike and much more! Ebikes are great for anyone who needs a little confidence boost. Drop in to Castle Semple 10am - 3pm.

Lochwinnoch Active Transport Hub Plans are afoot for a new hub for the local area to help more people actively commute to work. Complete the survey monkey online or fill out a paper copy at Castle Semple by Sunday 11th December please. They’re on facebook too.

Stargazing Sessions These popular evenings are back at Renfrewshire’s darkest sky location – Muirshiel Country Park. Next date is Monday 5th December, book now.

Special deal £2.50 for a hot drink & cake!

The 2017 Ride Calendar will be out soon. Join our new ‘group style facebook page’ - contact the secretary by email ridesixtythree@gmail. com for a membership form and ride info.

Seasons Greetings

Regular Events Mondays (but not public holidays) Lochwinnoch Community Walks meet 10.30am at The Cross, Lochwinnoch.

Weekly Volunteer Groups Newcomers always welcome!

-

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

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

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

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

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It is the most magical time of the year! The reds, oranges and yellows of autumn start to fade as nature begins her slumber and the place is transformed into a winter wonderland. Jack Frost greets us each morning with glitter and cold as he makes his daily rounds round the globe. On the reserve the Swan Loch (Barr Loch) comes alive with the migrating whooper swans, who come from Iceland to spend the winter, and our resident mute swans. Even from our visitor centre there is plenty to see – small birds flock to the feeders in the cold weather, and if ice cover the surface of our pond you may even spot mallard ducks skating!

More magic awaits as Christmas comes near; snow, Santa Claus, mince pies and presents!

These will all be available at RSPB Lochwinnoch on Saturday 3rd December if you come along to our annual Christmas Tree & Festive Fun event! We will have a lovely range of real Christmas trees on sale, as well as some great gift ideas. However, if you are dreaming of warmer places then why not come along to our talk on The Wildlife of Tanzania on Wednesday 7th December and be transported to Africa by our reserve manager, Zul Bhatia, as he tells tales of his travels and showcases some of his spectacular wildlife photography!

For more information about the reserve or any of our events, please call 01505 842663 or email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk

Windows on Wildlife Update Windows on Wildlife at Clyde Muirshiel 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 - Badgers Tumble in the daytime

Our badger clan has proven to be quite dynamic over the last four years. The cameras film on both the main and satellite sett and have pretty much recorded the badger’s daily movements since 2012. When we started we had four badgers living in the sett.

One male, who became known as Old Boy, one female, Tufty, and two cubs, a female called Notch and an unnamed other. Over the first winter the four badgers where mainly found in the vicinity of the main sett and provided great shots of different behaviour such as bedding collection, scent marking and digging.

In early 2013 the two cubs moved on leaving Old Boy and Tufty to roam the woods. Badgers give birth round about February/March time and Tufty was showing all the signs of having cubs in the sett.

However, something happened to the cubs and they never made it out the sett. Old Boy and Tufty continued to stay together in 2013 with Old Boy constantly patrolling the local area and occasionally getting into scraps with other males. Badgers can mate at anytime of the year due to a process known as delayed implantation which means the fertilised embryos don’t implant in the womb until December time.

2014 proved to be more productive with two cubs appearing in April. These two were constantly tugging and pulling on each other’s fur and jumping all over the adults. This behaviour, common in cubs, earned them the names Rough and Tumble. These two went everywhere together and remained in the sett with their parents’ right through to the following spring of 2015 when Tufty produced another set of twins called Salt and Pepper. Rough, who by this point was a yearling male, took his big brother responsibility seriously and was filmed taking the cubs out foraging with Mum and being a playmate to both. Tumble, who is a female, decided to move on in the summer and hopefully will have joined up with another male to start a clan of her own. It became obvious in August that something was wrong with Pepper as she was half the size of Salt and was starting to put in an appearance a lot during the day. Shortly after this behaviour was noticed she disappeared. At about the same time Old Boy was badly injured in a fight with another male badger. It’s amazing how resilient these animals can be. Old Boy disappeared down the sett and wasn’t seen for 10 days. He reappeared with only a slight limp, amazing for a badger that at this point was roughly 8 years old. Throughout the winter Rough and Salt along with their parents moved between both setts until the spring of this year when not one, not two but three cubs appeared at the main sett. Not long after they first put in an appearance Tufty decided to move the family to the satellite sett where they spent much of the summer as a family of foxes with five cubs moved into the main sett. Again Rough took his big brother responsibilities seriously and was never far from the cubs. The three cubs, known as the Triplets, Rough and Tufty moved back into the sett at the end of August where they remain just now. Sadly Old Boy disappeared in May and hasn’t been seen since with Salt still putting in the occasional appearance. It’ll be interesting to see what happens this winter. Tufty is roughly 7 years old with Rough coming into his prime as an adult male. Stay tuned and we hope to keep you updated.

Hayley and Badger Event News The next Swan Chat will take place on Saturday 10th December between 1 & 2pm at Castle Semple. Come along and find out that there’s more to these birds than chasing you for bread.

Drop in any time for this keeper style talk.

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Kilbarchan Primary School

EVERY

Children at Kilbarchan Primary celebrated Harvest by collecting items of food.

This was then donated to Johnstone Foodbank who informed that “You collected 113.3kg of food which will provide 270 meals for people in crisis in Renfrewshire”.

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

£2/family fee incl tea & children’s snacks.

Kilmacolm Playgroup

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

Howwood Baby & Toddler Group

Howwood Parish Church, 10am - 12noon

The Wee Bannock came to Kilbarchan Primary “The Wee Bannock” came to Primary 1 / 2 in Kilbarchan Primary School on November 2nd through well-known local storyteller Anne Pitcher’s lively re-telling of this traditional Scottish story, bringing the little creature to all the familiar sights and sounds of Kilbarchan. Using a local map and photographs of local places of interest, the pupils helped to tell the story along with Anne as they dressed up as the little old man, the little old lady, a wee Scottie dog, the Weaver by the National Trust for Scotland’s Weaver’s Cottage, 17th century piper Habbie Simpson and finally the sly old fox.

After tasting some freshly baked roasty, toasty, oaty bannocks they had an opportunity to “Dare to Dream” about the adventures the wee bannock could have their imaginations took flight! Amazing stories arose. For example some pupils imagined that the wee bannock could travel through time and space by rolling into the water fountain in the Public Park – a Kilbarchan Tardis, some imagined the unicorn on the War Memorial came alive and had adventures with the wee bannock.

The afternoon was part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s “Dare to Dream” campaign running from September to the end of November, where local communities get a chance to imagine stories about

their village - past, present and possible future.

Class teacher Mrs Lindsay Littleson, herself a children’s author said “Thank you so much Anne for working so hard with my class. They really enjoyed the session.

Comments included “The bannocks were yummy” “It was fun to dress up” “I liked the story I drawed” “The wee bannock story was all about Kilbarchan.

Personally I loved the way Anne started with the totally familiar and managed to inspire the pupils so that they were transported into whole new worlds. Mermaids, unicorns, Egyptians and pirates and dinosaurs all turned up in their drawings and oral stories!”

Anne enthused “What an amazing, creative and imaginative class P1/2 is – the stories which they have created about the Wee Bannock’s adventures are fabulous.

Their work will be going onto the “Dare to Dream” website so everyone in Scotland can see what they have achieved as they dared to dream. I’m looking forward to the illustrations P1/2 drew to tell “The Wee Bannock in Kilbarchan” story, going onto You Tube along with me telling the story – their drawings are brilliant! Once again Kilbarchan Primary School has proved to be an outstanding place of excellence.”

Houston Baby & Toddlers We can’t wait for Christmas - we are going to be enjoying some festive arts and crafts and will be welcoming a very special guest at our Christmas party. We’ve been having a great time meeting each week, making friends and playing with our toys. Children from 0 - 4 years old, together with their parents/grandparent/carer, will receive a warm welcome. The children can have fun playing with our many toys while the adults chat over a cuppa! We meet every Thursday between 9.30 11.30am (term time only - closed 22nd & 29th Dec) in the West Hall, Main Street, Houston, PA6 7EL (next door to the Carrick Centre) – welcome anytime. We look forward to meeting you. Sharon, Lesley & Fiona. (lesleyannjackson@outlook.com)

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MONDAY

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club East Church Hall, 9.15am - 11.30am

EVERY TUESDAY

Bridge of Weir Toddlers

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW

Pop along and see us from 9.30 - 11.30am

Baby Social

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers Vill. 11 am 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 incl tea and children’s snacks.

Howwood Playgroup

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 Playgroup

Langbank Village Hall 9.45 - 11.45am For 2.5 - 5yr olds.

Contact Jen Burrows 07947 983025.

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 1pm-2.30pm

£3. Bring a mug along for a cuppa.

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Duchal Nursery School We’ve had a very busy few weeks.

We had a fun filled Halloween morning with lots of games and activities and were excited to make the “Guy” for the top of the bonfire at the Knapps Firework Display.

Madame Camelford has been introducing our youngest children to the wonders of French, which included experiencing a typical French breakfast of chocolat chaud et croissants! It was enjoyed by all!

Our extended hours sessions have been full of activity, with lots of time outside playing on our own obstacle course around the garden, arts and crafts and baking. We were delighted to welcome Susan the Story Teller with her puppet Onion, she enthralled the children with her magical tales. Get in touch to find out more about our extended hours.

As the end of term gets closer we start to get in the mood for the Festive season and can’t wait for our annual trip to the Tron Theatre in Glasgow for much Christmas cheer. There are lots of Christmas decorations busily being made and preparations are well under way for our annual Nativity and Christmas Party.

There are a few limited spaces in the nursery at present, or if you are looking for a place for 2017 onwards please do get in touch. We are happy for visits to see our facilities and meet the teachers at any time, please contact Head Teacher Jean McCarthy on: Tel: 874358 to arrange a convenient time. Also visit our website at: www.duchal.com or find us on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from all at Duchal Nursery.

St Fillan’s Primary School St Fillan’s Primary School have been working hard to support two charities. We have been collecting items for Mary’s Meals backpack appeal and a fantastic amount of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and handtowels were sent in to the school. This is an ongoing project with us now collecting pencil cases, erasers, sharpeners.

Our 2nd charity was for LEPRA. This helps children with the disease of Leprosy. To support LEPRA we had some fun Zumba dance sessions which we all paid to join in on. This money all went to LEPRA. Many thanks to all our parents and families for their support for these 2 charities.

Many of our pupils in P6 and P7 entered the Gryffe Camera Club competition with Rebecca, Anna and Chloe being the overall winners of all the entries received. Some budding photographers of the future?

Our P6 and P7 children had a great day out at the Road Race event at the On-X with one of our girls Sophie, coming first in her event. A future Olympic runner perhaps?

Our next coffee morning for Fair Trade takes place on Friday 2nd December from 10am - 11 am. All welcome.

Kilmacolm Playgroup & Toddlers Thanks to all who came along to our Halloween Party - a great time was had by all and we were able to raise valuable funds for the group.

The Playgroup children were sad to say goodbye to Wilma Birch, who is moving on to pastures new after 12 years with us! Mrs Birch will be missed greatly but everyone at Kilmacolm Playgroup & Toddlers wishes her all the very best. We are delighted to welcome our new senior playleader, Miss Carly Gorman, who has taken over from Mrs Birch. As well as our new playleader, we have had lots of new children joining us at Kilmacolm Playgroup and everyone has been very kind and welcoming to all the new faces, playing together and getting to know one another.

With help from our Big Lottery funding, we are enjoying visits from Jo James of Musicland. This is helping to develop our skills in singing, dancing and exploring musical instruments. We have also taken part in different activities for Children in Need and managed to fundraise for the charity too.

Playgroup runs on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, for more information contact Claire at kilmacolmplaygroupandtoddlers@gmail.com.

Our Toddlers group is on Wednesdays from 10am to 11.30am for children aged 0 - 3 years, and is a great opportunity for little ones to play and make friends, and for their parents and carers to catch up over a cuppa! Contact Frances at kilmacolmtoddlers@ outlook.com for more information.

Our website is: http://kilmacolmplaygroupandtoddlers@jimdo.com.

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Rugbytots is a highly energetic play programme for children aged 2-7 years with classes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lothians, Borders, Stirling, and now Bridge of Weir and Greenock.

The Inverclyde and Renfrewshire area is run

by Cammy Little, who was formerly part of the Scotland 7s team and played for Glasgow in the early stages of rugby’s professional era. Cammy, joined by other experienced coaches, aims to pass on his knowledge at grass roots level in a fun and educational way. Feedback from across our venues has been very positive. One mum recently commented ‘Many thanks for everything you have taught us over the last few years, Rugbytots has been by far the best activity that we have taken part in and worth every penny for the range of skills and the discipline you have given him.’

Rugbytots uses all the core skills involved in rugby - running, throwing, kicking, catching and balance - to develop children’s motor skills. Developing these instinctive skills at an early age gives kids a really strong foundation no matter what sport they go on to enjoy. In addition our aim is to create a positive play environment which will help to develop confidence and social skills.

A class for Erskine/Bishopton is also open for enrolment and due to start soon.

Please visit our website at www.rugbytots.co.uk, email cameron@rugbytots.co.uk or call 0345 313 0415 for details.

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Houston Primary School

St Columba’s School News

Craigends Yew Sally Campbell from Houston Primary School and a pupil from St. Fillan’s Primary went out together to see the famous Craigends Yew. They were amazed by its enormous girth. The tree has been selected for Scotland’s Tree of the Year competition due to its age, size and uniqueness. The girls gave the trunk a cuddle for good luck. The winning tree will get £1,000 for pruning, mulching, weeding, fencing and signage.

Super Scientists The pupils from Primary 1 - 7 are having a whole day of Science as part of our vertical learning programme. Pupils from all stages will work together to make toothpaste for a giant, magic potions, examine creatures using our digital microscopes and much, much more. This is an amazing experience for children to engage with pupils from different year groups and also to work with other members of staff. It also allows pupils to take on leadership roles.

A huge thank you to Dr. Ingram and Gryffe High School Science Department for sharing their expertise with us.

Happy Birthday Houston Primary School Next month Houston Primary School will be celebrating its 40th birthday. If you were one of the first pupils or staff members, please contact us and share your stories and photographs of days gone by.

Christmas is Coming The Junior and Senior Choir have started rehearsing for their Carol Concert on Thursday 15th December and they are already sounding amazing. The Nursery and Primary 1 - 3 pupils are also busy rehearsing for their Christmas performances. Please see the school website for more details.

The school Christmas Fayre is on Thursday 1st December, where you will find a wide variety of items on sale which will make ideal Christmas gifts. Santa will of course be making a special visit.

Please come along and support this festive event. Doors open at 6.30pm.

Farewell to Mr. Campbell Our school chaplain Reverend Donald Campbell has retired and the pupils said farewell to him at a recent assembly by singing personalised songs and poems about him. The thing they are going to miss the most is his ‘cheery smile’. Thank you to all those who contributed to his retirement gift.

Twit-Twoo Primary 1 pupils have been learning about owls and requested for real owls to come to school. Some children handled the birds and Mrs. Mitchell even managed to obtain owl pellets for closer examination under our digital microscopes. The pupils discovered hip bones, teeth and feathers belonging to small creatures that the owls had eaten for dinner.

Road Race On Thursday 10th November twenty pupils from Primary 6 and 7 were competing in the Renfrewshire Road Race. The pupils have been in training and it certainly paid off. Jamie Newton gained 1st place and Douglas Boyd gained 2nd place in the P7 boys race.

Kassi Gribben gained 4th place for the P7 girls race and Ellie Nayar gained 4th place for the P6 girls race.

The P7 boys gained an overall 1st place for the team trophy, and the P7 girls gained 3rd place for the overall team trophy and so did the P6 boys. A very well done to all our athletes who took part.

Dyslexia Fundraising A number of our pupils have dyslexic type difficulties and we would like to raise funds to purchase resources which will further support their learning. We are looking for local businesses to support us by helping us to raffle our gorgeous twin sheep that have been kindly donated by Mrs. Shaw. ‘Woolly’ and ‘Jumper’ will be visiting local businesses over the next few weeks, if you see either of them please support us by purchasing a raffle ticket, and you maybe lucky enough to win. As you will see from the photo of our twins that ‘Jumper’ the black sheep has gone out to play. See if you can spot him in one of the village shops or restaurants.

Eleanor Laing MP, Opens St Columba’s Girdwood Building

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There is a fantastic buzz around the School as we officially opened our new extension on Wednesday 9th November with guest of honour Eleanor Laing MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and a former pupil of St Columba’s.

The new Girdwood Building, named in honour of the School’s Rector, Mr David Girdwood, who will retire at the end of session 2016 - 17, comprises 13 new classrooms, a new library, a guidance suite, common rooms, additional social and recreational space for pupils, as well as improved teacher preparation areas. Space within the original building will then be rezoned to allow faculties to be grouped together by discipline and allow for drama to be added to the curriculum with the creation of a new drama studio. The extension also allows Transitus (P7) pupils to relocate to Senior School.

The foresight of internationally renowned architects PagePark to design a building that embraces the School’s village setting and seamlessly integrates the new single-storey classrooms with two beautiful sandstone villas, adjacent to the other school buildings, has been transformational. This phase of the School’s development completes a two-year £7.5m capital project which includes the revamp of the School’s astroturf pitch, landscaping of the Junior School grounds to create ‘wild woods’ and outdoor learning spaces, a complete refurbishment of the science building and now the new Girdwood Building.

David Girdwood, Rector of St Columba’s, said, “As I walk around the new building, through its courtyards and gardens, and look at the profile of it from Gryffe Road I am struck by how wonderfully the architect has captured the essence of St Columba’s School. It lies in the heart of this thriving Scottish village as it has since 1897. The new building seamlessly integrates with this historic setting of the School, with flexible modern facilities, and has been achieved without razing any of the beautiful historic buildings to the ground. What has been created is consistent with the ethos of the School, quietly building on the achievements of the past as it secures the future.”

Calum Paterson, Chairman of the Board of Governors, said, “This is a tremendous time for St Columba’s. Our enhancements over the last few years, combined with our impressive academic achievements, ensures that this great school in the small, country village of Kilmacolm remains at the forefront of Scottish education.”

We are extremely grateful for the patience and support of our neighbours and community during the building phase.

Open Week & Entrance Assessments If you missed Open Week at the start of November you are still welcome to make an appointment to visit and see our Early Years, Junior and Senior Schools at work and play. We would love to show you what we can offer your child. St Columba’s provides an all-through education with a wide range of opportunities for your child and offers wrap-around care from age 3. For those who wish to join us for their sixth year we also offer a wide range of Advanced Higher subjects and are happy to discuss your options with you.

Entrance Assessment Dates: 6th & 9th January -

Junior School

7th January -

Senior School (Transitus and any available places in Senior I-Senior VI)

10th - 11th January - Junior 1 12th - 13th January - Early Years 20th - 21st April -

Early Years

To find out more please contact Junior School on 01505 872768 or Senior School on 01505 872238 or visit www.st-columbas.org.

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Lochwinnoch Primary School We had another successful year at the Renfrewshire Schools Road Race.

Everyone ran well making us very proud.

Primary 6 boys kicked off the day with Ryan pushing through the crowds to win second place. The Primary 6 Girls team worked hard as a team, earning them second place in the team trophies.

The Primary 7 boys were met with some tough competition this year. There was a double celebration for the Primary 7 girls. Evie ran an excellent race to take first place and the rest of the team followed closely behind to earn the second place team trophy. A great effort from all! Well done.

P6/5, P6 and P7 have settled into school life at the McKillop Institute as further work is carried out to improve the school building. Children are showing themselves to be responsible citizens and are coping extremely well with their new environment. They are continuing with their usual high standard of work and behaviour. The outdoor play area is a hit and children enjoyed playing hide and seek in the Autumn sunshine.

Our class libraries have had a wonderful make over with cushions, bean bags, fairy lights and blankets. Each library has its’ own dedicated space and a few comfy reading areas. The aim is to have a place where children want to spend their time and it has really helped in making all children eager to read! Primaries 4 - 7 are taking part in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge and have been inspired to read a staggering number of books. Children from P5 - P7 have also taken part in the Provost’s Writing Competition. Children had to write a story based on the theme ‘It’s a Wonderful Time of Year’. Winners get the chance to go with their families to meet the Provost and Santa, and to go on stage to switch on the Christmas Lights in Paisley, Johnstone or Renfrew. We look forward to hearing how they get on.

Primary 2 had a wonderful trip to Parkhill Woods looking for the Gruffalo. Children learned all about the animals in the woodlands including badgers, deer, mice, woodpeckers, foxes, squirrels and many more. They learned how to look for their tracks and the snow was a great help for this! They also looked for their homes and thought about why animals live in different places. There were lots of clues about the Gruffalo and children found and answered them all correctly. Children enjoyed a picnic lunch at Castle Semple then had a short time to play in the snow before walking home.

Primary 5 have been learning about Festivals of Light, including Diwali. A visitor from Tesco organised a Diwali trail for pupils who were able to try new foods and compare foods that had been dried or pickled to preserve them. Following the visit the class designed and coloured Rangoli patterns, which are used to welcome visitors during Diwali.

Thank you to all the parents who visited the Nursery Open day on 10th November and took part in a challenge to make, build or draw something representing People Who Help Us. There were many great ideas with fantastic results. Everyone had fun and the children really enjoyed seeing their special visitors. Thank you also for all the positive comments you left on our Comments Tree.

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Santa Sleigh Dates Houston

Thurs 1st - Wed 7th

Brookfield Thurs 8th

Kilmacolm

upper/North Fri 9th lower/South Sat 10th

Quarriers Village Sun 11th

Bridge of Weir

Mon 12th - Fri 16th

Kilbarchan Community Nursery Now that we are moving into the last term of the year our topics will be Bonfire Night, St. Martin’s day and Christmas.

The children enjoyed a visit from the Firefighters from Johnstone on 2nd November to tell us about firework safety and to let them see the Fire appliances.

The children learned about the German festival of St. Martin and made their own lanterns for the parade on 11th November.

In preparation for the Christmas Fayre (on 3rd December) the children will be decorating china plates and making calendars, which will be sold on the day.

All the children are now involved in creating their own unique Christmas show, inventing a story, music and characters. The show will be performed on 8th December in the primary school.

On 14th December the very popular Clydebuilt puppet theatre company will once again be visiting us, this time to perform ‘The Gingerbread Man’, which is a favourite story of the children.

The nursery closes for the Christmas break on 20th December at 2.30 pm and re-opens on Thursday 5th January.

Langbank Playgroup What an amazing place to be! At playgroup, children have the opportunity to develop their social skills, independence, creativity, numeracy, literacy skills and many, many more…..

Over the last month, the children have had the opportunity to experience a Bookbug session from the “Skoobmobile” team, where they learned new songs and listened to a story. The children were also offered the opportunity to join the local Primary School for a spooky Halloween parade, where they were given the chance to show off their costumes. This also assisted the development of the close relationship with the school and therefore provides a smooth transition in their pre-school year when moving into Primary 1.

We also held a very successful and well attended family Halloween Disco, where there was dancing, singing and “Mummy” wrapping too!

Do you have a child aged between 2.5yrs to 5yrs old? Then why not let them come along and experience the fun! Everyone welcome from Langbank and surrounding areas.

Playgroup is held on a Friday morning (term time) in Langbank Village Hall and we currently have spaces for children aged 2.5yrs to 5yrs. If you would like to join us on a Friday morning or for more information please contact Jen Burrows on 07947983025.

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Bridge of Weir Primary

Gryffe High School

With Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night firmly behind us we set our sights clearly on Christmas! The successful Christmas Fayre returned to Bridge of Weir Primary on November 24th. There was a tombola and lots of craft stalls, stocking fillers and of course gifts hand crafted by the pupils.

Young Enterprise News

This month nursery staff will be scheduling meetings to update parents on their children’s progress and achievements. The nursery children are embarking on the ‘Cat in the Hat’ as their topic and will also be joining the rest of the school in our Children in Need ‘spotacular’ where all will be encouraged to wear their best spotty outfits!

There are many after school and lunchtime clubs and activities taking place this term including football, drama, badminton, infant sports, basketball, Lego and art. We even have “before school” tennis for our Primary 3s!

These activities encourage a healthy lifestyle, provide opportunities for socialising and achievement beyond the classroom and are very popular with all of our pupils.

The school held open days for P4 and P5 during the month of November when pupils shared what they had been learning about the Vikings and the Scottish Wars of Independence. These were well attended by parents and other family members. One parent commented on the depth of knowledge the children have on their subjects and on how good the practical experiments such as sailing handmade Viking boats on water were.

P6 have been heavily involved in the campaign for Paisley to host the City of Culture in 2021. Ramsay confirmed that both classes attended a workshop led

by PACE which highlighted Paisley’s past, present and future. The P6 pupils then participated in a play which was performed to the whole school. Grace said that it was fun learning the songs and actions celebrating Paisley’s future.

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We are Gryffe High’s ‘Young Enterprise’ team, CLA Scents.

We would like to make you aware of our activities this year which focus around our product - candles. Plain, scented, with holders, without – we have got it all covered. We have teamed up with Braehead Clan whose Commercial Director, Andy McLaughlin has been providing us with excellent advice and support. In particular, Andy has helped us promote our company through the Clan website and we have been given a great opportunity to target its fans with our great candles by having a stall at the Clan game on 3rd December. We also hope to have a presence at parents’ evenings and a stall at the Gryffe High School Christmas Fayre! In the near future, we will be sending out letters and emails about our company and taking any orders for candles. Please make sure to look out for future communications about our company. In the meantime, if you have any enquiries about our company, feel free to contact us on gryffe.cla@outlook.com!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Events Pupils have been involved in several STEM events recently.

A group of S3 - S6 girls interested in pursuing a career within STEM attended an informative full day event on Women into STEM at West College Scotland this month. The event was designed to promote the different career pathways to female pupils within Renfrewshire and presented them with a range of workshops.

The girls enjoyed the many activities on offer from joinery, bricklaying and decorating to inputs on working within conservation and engineering. Here is a selection of pictures of our pupils learning their new trade skills!

In another event, S1 pupils spent an enjoyable afternoon at Thermo Fisher labs in Inchinnan, extracting DNA from Strawberries and learning how cells grow.

Five senior pupils were also invited to experience the wonders of Vascutek industries in Inchinnan. Vascutek are world leaders in designing and supplying grafts to create a bypass for blood flow to treat aneurysms. The pupils visited the sewing room where they had the chance to try their hands at the intricate construction of the grafts. They were also given the opportunity to deliver a graft into a blood vessel of a “casualty” using the state of the art Anaconda device. Lastly, the pupils were allowed access to the custom graft facilities where engineers work alongside doctors to produce custom made devices to suit patients with specific physiology. It was a very inspiring trip with the pupils amazed that this life saving technology was being produced in Renfrewshire.

Ciara attends Glasgow School of Art Portfolio Preparation Course Talented S6 pupil Ciara Nicholson, has been selected and given a great opportunity to attend Glasgow School of Art. Ciara is currently studying Advanced Higher Art & Design in school and she absolutely loves her extra Art classes at GSofA on a Saturday morning.

From the GsofA website, ‘The specialised Portfolio Preparation Course is aimed at assisting students in the preparation of a body of work for application to their chosen area of study. The course provides students with their own Portfolio studio, giving students the opportunity to work in a unique art school environment, an exciting and dynamic place full of creativity and inspiration. Students attending this course have been consistently successful in achieving entry to Higher or Further Education Fine Art and Design courses, both in Glasgow and further afield.’

Ciara is pictured beside one of her very own creations, which has received a lot of compliments from visitors as it takes pride of place in the School Conference Room. The opportunity to attend this course has been an annual gift to the pupils of Gryffe High from the parents of another extremely talented pupil Ferran Hart.

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Ferran sadly passed away just before starting his sixth year in school. Ferran was an amazing artist and he even held his own art exhibition at the Veneer Gallery in Glasgow to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. The school has supported this charity in memory of Ferran and the proceeds from the 3k Fun Run this year went to TCT. Ferran had a real talent for art, music and drama and he also had a passion for sharing his own skills.

The school is really appreciative of the support from Ferran’s parents and we are certain that Ferran would love others to be given the opportunity to enhance their skills in Art. We look forward to seeing some of Ciara’s Portfolio!

17/11/2016 16:22:20

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Kilmacolm Primary

Abbey Nursery

Kilmacolm Primary is pleased to announce that we have returned to our newly refurbished building in Churchill Road and we are completely delighted to be back. We enjoyed our year in Port Glasgow with the generous space we had to use during our temporary stay but it is definitely lovely to be home.

We have had a lot of visitors over the past few weeks and have enjoyed the opportunity to welcome everyone to the nursery.

On returning from our October break we held a welcome assembly where the youngest and oldest child and the longest serving teacher officially cut the ribbon to mark our new start in our beautifully finished building. Hollie MacIntyre P1, Juliet Cunningham P7 and Mrs Helen Cook had the honour of cutting the ribbon to mark this special day. Pupils and staff are enjoying lovely light and airy classrooms with bright and colourful furniture, an extra gym hall, a fantastic newly resourced nursery and lots, lots more. Staff have worked extremely hard to make the school as welcoming as possible and unpacked what seemed like a million boxes. There are still some boxes to be unpacked but we can see the end in sight now.

We all enjoyed dressing up for Halloween in our classes and P1 - 3 parents were treated to a grand Halloween parade.

Thanks to all mums and dads for their imaginative and beautifully crafted costumes.

We held a dress down day recently where pupils wore casual clothes in return for donating items for our Secret Santa Room, which is always a highlight of our PTF Spirit of Christmas event, being held this year on Saturday 19th November. We hope the local community will take the chance to visit us and have a look around our new school.

We have had a busy start to this term; P6 & 7 pupils have participated in Athletics competitions, P6 visited Inverclyde Foodbank and P4 & P6 pupils have signed up for The first Minister’s Reading Challenge and have many events and activities organised for us throughout the year. As we continue to encourage KPS children to read a variety of texts and genre we looked forward to Scottish Book Week in November. As part of this event we had visits from storytellers, authors, and special visitors who talked to us about their favourite books and answered some probing questions. P4 & P6 have already interviewed our Director of Education, Wilma Bain and Head of Schools, Ruth Binks, to sit in the hot seat and there are more still to come…

Following on from our success at the Tesco Summer Reading Challenge we were delighted to have been invited to perform two songs from ‘Matilda the Musical’ at the Scottish Parliament. As you can imagine the eight boys and girls chosen were super excited to have been given this fabulous opportunity. They performed for John Swinney and Kezia Dugdale and were treated to some lovely hospitality.

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Brite Dental spent the morning with the children judging our Halloween pumpkin carving competition and the boys, girls and staff all looked great in their Halloween costumes and sang Nichola and Debbi a super selection of Halloween songs before showing them their pumpkins. Lindsay led the Red Group’s ‘World Vision pumpkin’ as winners and the children were able to tell them all about World Vision and how it helps children.

The Welly Waddle was another successful fund raising event this year and children thoroughly enjoyed their walks around the village and puddle jumping. We were delighted to hand over a cheque to the Cot Death Trust for £1,233 and know they will put the money to good use.

Another celebration was a whole nursery Best Practice Award from Renfrewshire Council and the NHS to celebrate the training and day to day practice in promoting Language and Communication within the nursery. This training has reinforced the skills of Practitioners in encouraging listening, understanding speaking and social development for all children and to the highest level. This was also mentioned at our Curriculum Evening for parents where we highlighted simple strategies to use at home to encourage language development and launched our Bedtime Books lending library.

Meanwhile there continues to be lots of time spent outdoors just now with the kind weather and the leaves from the trees in the garden have given us plenty of ideas for creative works of art in every room. December then leads into our Nativity Play for the 3 - 5 age group; trips to the theatre and our Christmas Fayre on Saturday 26th of November from 10am until 12 noon at the nursery where parents and the local community are invited to meet Santa.

Port Glasgow High School National Poetry Slam 2016 Their hard work and dedication paid off when S3 PGHS pupils excelled themselves and won the National Poetry Slam Competition at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock. Against stiff competition from schools around the country, the group of S3 pupils won the team event.

Kerr Maclean won first place in the individual event with Jodie Pollock in second place. An outstanding result!

The Scotsman’s National Writing Competition 2016 Head girl, Kirsten Irvine, beat off phenomenal competition to win The Scotsman’s National Writing Competition. Kirsten wrote an insightful and moving article on PGHS’s partnership with Nguludi Secondary School in Malawi. Kirsten’s award was presented by Ross Greer, MSP, at the Scottish Malawi Partnership Youth Forum at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh.

Kirsten’s article will be published in The Scotsman in the near future.

Inverclyde Rotary Masterchef Competition S5 pupil Ryan Collins placed first in the Inverclyde Rotary Masterchef Competition. Ryan created a scrumptious three course meal which wowed the judges and ensured he lifted the trophy.

S1 Girls Cross Country Event Pupils attended the Inverclyde Schools Cross Country running event in Kilmacolm. S1 pupil Abi Hammerman came first in her race, with S5 Ryan Gray coming second in his race. An enjoyable day was had by all.

S1/S2 Halloween Disco The S1 pupils planned the successful event themselves with help from the S5 sports leaders who ran the activities during the event. Teachers and pupils looked scarier than usual!

Many parents and P7 braved the winter conditions to attend the PGHS Learning Showcase, a chance for new pupils to see the facilities and activities available.

Visitors had an opportunity to visit each department and sample various learning activities in the classroom.

Follow us on Twitter @PortGlasgowHS and @PGHS_PE_

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Ranfurly Castle Golf Club Ladies Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Problem solved!

XMAS OFFERS ‘Come and Try’ Offers for total beginners and those wanting to improve

Offer 1 Lesson from our PGA Professional Use of Practice facilities Acess to Clubhouse for 6 weeks - £25 (must be used by 31/03/2017) Offer 2 Pre-season Deal (must be used by 31/03/2017) Full access to Course & Clubhouse - £100 (Price deducted from 2017 membership on joining April ‘17) The Club is also offering ‘beginner’ Ladies the chance to attend 6 FREE lessons over the winter.

2 Fun evening indoor sessions in January followed by 4 Saturday outdoor sessions. No equipment necessary.

Come along and make friends, or bring some with you!

Certification on completion will entitle the bearer to 2 months Introductory Membership with a reduction in Associate fees for the remainder of the season.

9 members of the Ladies Committee enjoyed a very pleasant day away playing at Alloa Golf Club on 27th September. Despite very windy conditions it was a beautiful sunny day, with wonderful views of the distant hills. The winning team consisted of Jan Macnab, Jean Murray and Joy McLeod but it was a closely fought competition!

Congratulations to the Greenlees Team who finished runners up in Division 1 after a very good season. Their last match was played at home against Milngavie and Carol Fell had an impressive hole in one at the short 5th. This was the 7th of her career but unfortunately it didn’t help the outcome of the match which was a defeat for the club. The Runners-up Trophy was presented to Marion Munro, Carol Fell, Sarah Eckford and Anne Judge at Cathkin Braes Golf Club.

The Ladies had another success when they won the West Renfrewshire League Trophy for the second year in a row and the Trophy will be presented at their AGM at the end of November.

The Annual Ladies Dinner was well attended on 26th October with 44 ladies in attendance. Everyone enjoyed a beautiful meal with plenty of chat and if the volume was anything to go by, a good time was had by all. The Medal winners were presented with their prizes at the end of the evening and Carol Fell was remembered with a small momento in recognition of her Hole-in-One. The final golf of the season will be a 9 hole Xmas Special and Lunch on Wednesday 7th December where Xmas dress will be compulsory. All we need now is a nice day to be able to play golf.

For further info : Ronnie Carswell, Secretary – 01505 612609 Email: secranfur@btconnect.com www.ranfurlycastlegolfclub.co.uk

Kilmacolm Unofficial Running Club (KURC) K i l m a c o l m Unofficial Running Club (KURC) went the extra mile this October in raising a massive £1,422 for local charity Ardgowan Hospice – a cause particularly close to few of our members’ hearts. Over 70 ghosts and ghouls of all ages danced until the wee small hours at the Halloween Disco, which was our team’s second annual fundraising event.

The hot buffet prepared by club members kept revellers well-fed and the raffle was a resounding success. Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton even managed to make a surprise appearance, winning best couple’s costume!

We’d love to thank all who came and boogied the night away with us, and all the very generous donations to our raffle from individuals and local businesses. After such a successful night we’d better make sure that next year’s fundraising plans are up and running!

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17/11/2016 16:22:38

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december 2016

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1st Houston & Crosslee Scouts Gleddoch Ladies Golf Club EVERY

MONDAY

Adult Jazz Class

Bridge of Weir 10am Tel: 01505 690757 for further information.

Adult Beginners Ballet Class Bridge of Weir 11.30am

Tel: 01505 690757 for further information.

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

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

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 7.15pm

Strathgryffe Motorcycle Club

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

The Shotokan Karate Club

Woodlands Primary, Linwood, 7-8pm/8-9pm 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, 6.30 - 8pm Contact Liz Baldwin, mobile 07944 607005.

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall 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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Gleddoch Ladies celebrated the end of this golfing season at the annual Prizegiving Dinner at Gleddoch House Hotel on 28th October. Members and friends all enjoyed a delicious meal in very congenial surroundings. Congratulations to all the prizewinners:

Another busy term for Houston and Crosslee Scout group has seen record numbers at all levels; from beavers to Explorers we are jam packed with young people enjoying a varied programme of Scouting activities from camps to quiz nights and much more.

Club Champion Shirley Back, RunnerThe Cub pack might be our mini-adventurers up June Lockhart; Rosebowl Mhairi but they do enjoy getting out and about even Bryce; Ladies Doubles Roisin Black and in the coldest of the Scottish seasons. The Margaret Adams; Mixed Doubles Linda boys and girls packed all their weather and Eddie Brown - and to all the winners proof clothes, all the dry socks they could of competitions during the season. muster and headed off for an adventure weekend at the long established Lochgoilhead Other/Latest results: 28th August SLGA Scout activity centre with their leaders and young stroke competition: Silver Roisin Black, leaders from the Explorer section. The Cubs took Bronze Mhairi Bryce. September Medal: full advantage of the facilities at Lochgoilhead Silver Isabell Donnelly, Bronze Trixie enjoying high ropes, canoeing, abseiling, indoor activities including Brown after countback from Mhairi apple “dooking” and the obligatory “dorm games”. They had a fantastic Bryce. 2nd October Autumn Meeting: time and given the success of this year’s trip leader Stuart Mclymont Silver Isabell Donnelly , Bronze Mhairi hopes it will become an annual trip included in the exciting and varied Bryce. 9th October SLGA Stableford : Cub calendar.

Silver Shirley Back, Bronze Linda Brown.

Our Scouts have also been having a fun time this October Medal: Silver Jackie Gray, term with events including a visit from an international Bronze Margaret Adams.

Scout. Kiera and her dad, all the way from Australia took the opportunity to spend the evening with the Congratulations to all! The good weather Troop while on holiday. Kiera lived up to our motto has continued, and the first Winter League of “be prepared” by coming along in full uniform, was played in lovely weather. well done, full points for you! The Scouts also recently held their own Halloween celebrations in the usually messy Scout way with games including make a mummy, scoffing doughnuts with no hands and also went all out on the costume competition.

The Explorer group has seen the biggest rise in numbers over the last couple of years going from just 8 Explorers three years ago to 25 at present.

As a group they plan their own programme of events and this year have chosen to concentrate on Young Leader training, completing activities in the hall for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards and also have been able to fit in some games nights too. This week George, their Leader hosted a “Not Halloween Party but dress up Quiz” night instead. “They might be all grown up but who doesn’t love dressing up” said one Explorer about the leadership team, “so we asked George to host the quiz and we all dressed up”. A Great night was had by all. Best Costume was won by The Joker and The Ghoul.

In other Explorer news, George Bream who has now lead the Explorers for three years continues to lead by example. She supports all the Explorers through their Duke of Edinburgh Awards as a volunteer and coordinates the programme single handed for all 25 young people; including leading all the Expeditions herself, a tricky task as she is a full time teacher and leads overseas expeditions for young people in her summer holidays. This year though she took on her own Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Challenge raising money for the award and showing that challenges should still be undertaken no matter what your age by persuading her 67 year old Dad to join her on her second summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The father daughter team raised money as well for a charity close to them, Polycystic Kidney Disease Charity; a genetic disease both mum and brother suffer from. They successfully summitted together at 7.20am on the 30th July and raised over £1,600 for both charities.

LEADER NEEDED: Despite all the good news in our troop we are now really missing our tiny adventurers called the Chipmunks. We have been unable to replace our retired leadership team and that means no Scouting introduction to our P1 children. If you think you could help run an informal youth club, with a small focus on outdoor and scouting activities, for P1 aged children please get in touch with our group scout leader James Macdonald on groupscoutleader43@gmail. com or if you could offer help to any other group in our troop please also contact James.

Megan Craig, Talented Ice Hockey Player

Port Glasgow High School pupil Megan Craig, at the tender age of 11, is making a name for herself as a talented ice hockey player. About 18 months ago, having started her playing career as a centre, she moved to play in goals as a netminder and very soon demonstrated her star potential. Megan, from Kilmacolm, plays her club hockey for Kilmarnock where she plays at Under 14 level and is part of the current Scotland Ladies Team where she plays at Under 16.

In addition to training at Kilmarnock and Braehead Megan travels to Dumfries to participate in the national training days, which include, strength and conditioning sessions, diet and nutrition and classroom sessions together with specialist goalie training and on ice sessions.

Megan started training with the squad in September 2015 making her Scotland debut in April this year and has now played six games for her country, including one shut out in her first game of the BWIFT tournament in Swindon in June. Her speed and agility coupled with an aggressive style have seen her develop into a much admired player showing maturity that belies her young age.

Megan will be travelling with Scotland to both Hull and Sheffield in the near future before attending an intensive training camp in the Czech Republic early next year where she will also play in a series of development games.

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Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club The gents Strathgryffe team have got off to a mixed start this winter in their opening matches. Losing 4 down away to Gleddoch, the guys then lost 3 down away to Ranfurly Castle. A resounding 9 up victory at home to Kilmacolm leaves them on aggregate 2up. All to play for.

The monthly quizzes are back at Old Ranfurly with October and November serving up two crackers. Danny Dyer and Stewart Watt, our resident quiz masters, annoyed and frustrated our members with questions Jeremy Paxman would have been proud of. With a total of 120 participants, the guys have raised approximately £400 so far for local charities - well done! Its £3 to enter, and themed catering is also available for those looking to make a night of it. Come along to our December edition on Friday the 9th!

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Castle Semple Sailing Club The Castle Semple Sailing Club held its annual Prize Giving evening at the McKillop Hall to tie in with the Lochwinnoch Village Ceilidh.

It was good to see so many people come along to the Prize Giving including some cadets (Euan and Gordon) - it seemed to go quite well once I had managed to work out which glasses went with which trophies!

Many thanks to Paul O’Neill of O’Neills of Paisley for arranging all the engraving. Thanks also to Steve C for putting together all the slides for us.

It was reassuring to know that it was a computer blip that made some of the slides appear upside down and not the amount we had had to drink!

We had booked the room until 8pm but at approaching 9pm the caretaker came in tapping her watch that we were well over time.

People either drifted off home, or in to the Ceilidh now in full swing in the big hall. However, a few people decided that a visit to the Brown Bull was in order prior to visiting the Ceilidh...........

Mairi Milne presented a cheque to St. Vincent’s

Well done to all the winners: Hospice for £1,000 on Thursday 3rd November. This money was raised at our recent charity fun day on Sunday 2nd October.

It was a beautiful sunny day and all the participants dug deep into their pockets for this great charity.

The ladies of Old Ranfurly signed off their year of golfing competitions with their usual annual Dinner on Friday the 21st October. The guest speaker this year was Carol Field - Forensic Scientist.

Carol kept the ladies riveted with her ‘CSI Glasgow’ tales, never before has the room been so quiet. We were all mesmerised by her true life tales.

The ladies section of Old Ranfurly held their annual business meeting and prize giving on Tuesday 1st November. The evening was well attended and lady captain Mairi Milne handed over her captain’s badge to the incoming lady captain – Hazel Kirkland. Mairi has had a very successful year as captain, not only organising many fabulous social events but managing to cut 10 strokes from her handicap during this busy year, quite an achievement. Good luck to Hazel who has taken over the helm, and is no doubt hoping to follow in Mairi’s footsteps with regards to her handicap.

Asymmetric Cup

1

Brian Young and Alan Falconer

Commodore Cup

1

Angus Winchester

Ian Brown

1

Brian Young and Alan Falconer

Cucuna Minucci

1

Peter Collings and Hector Wedderburn

Winter Series

1

Douglas McQuilken and Pamela Hunter and Angus Winchester

Spring Series Wed

Jim Gordon Series

Summer Series Wed

Summer Series Sun

Autumn Series Wed

Autumn Series Sun

The GP 14 TrophySponsored by O’Neills of Paisley

Gold

Brian Young and Alan Falconer

Silver

Hugh Russell

Gold

Angus Winchester

Silver

Hugh Russell

Gold

Angus Winchester

Silver

Hugh Russell

Gold

Angus Winchester

Silver

Ross McGlennon

Gold

Brian Young and Alan Falconer

Silver

Hugh Russell

Gold

Brian Young and Alan Falconer

Silver

Hugh Russell

1

Steve Davison

For further info see website www/castlesemplesc.co.uk

Halloween Fun at Strathgryffe The youngsters at Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash Club enjoyed a spooky day of fun team tennis on Saturday 29th October. In the morning, the mini members came dressed as either skeletons or ghosts and the afternoon juniors were dressed as either witches or vampires. A mixture of both singles and doubles matches were played with the skeletons winning the morning competition and the witches the afternoon. The Halloween spirit continued with dooking for apples and munching treacle covered doughnuts.

Assistant Coach James Reid who organised the event commented, ‘Many thanks to Benenden for supplying the Halloween box of goodies. All the kids had loads of fun and thoroughly enjoyed the day!’

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“Team Pam” and Angus Winchester joint winners of the Winter Series

Ross McGlennon winner of Summer Sunday Silver Series

Euan Wong cadet winner of the Silver Fleet

Birkmyre Bears - four in a row!

This winning streak has consolidated our position as fifth in the league and, put us through to the next round in the West Bowl. With the good Autumnal weather suiting our expansive brand of running rugby we racked up some great victories.

Local rivals Bishopton were beaten 25 - 20. Loch Lomond were dispatched 15 - 14 and, for the first time in our history we travelled to Stranraer and beat Wigtownshire 13 - 7. Moffat then travelled to Birkmyre Park and were put to the sword 43 - 0.

Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday evenings right up to Christmas and as ever we would give a warm welcome to any new players wanting to join our winning team. If you are 18 + call Donald Hall on 07799 154597 for more information.

17/11/2016 16:22:56

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Get Into The Swing Of Things Budding golfers are being given the chance to try the sport for free thanks to the coaching programme offered by Kilmacolm Golf Club.

The free sessions, aimed at beginners or those returning to the game, will cover the basics, including set-up and grip, putting, chipping, short and long irons.

Iain Nicholson, Kilmacolm Golf Club’s PGA professional, said “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 and enjoyable environment.”

The programme starts on 30th of January and runs each Monday (7 - 8pm) until the 20th of March at St Columba’s Church Hall, Kilmacolm.

Extra sessions will be run at Kilmacolm Golf Club after the 8 weeks for all those interested in learning more. The lessons are FREE and all are welcome to attend! All equipment will be provided and further details can be obtained from Iain Nicholson 01505 872695 or by e-mailing enquiries@ iainnicholsongolf.co.uk

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The Kilmacolm Golf Club The Kilmacolm Golf Club has a limited number of spaces available for membership in 2017.

If you are thinking of changing your Club for next year and are looking for that little bit more, then Kilmacolm is the Club for you. From excellent practice facilities and a full driving range, to the most scenic and beautiful course in the district, Kilmacolm really does offer more.

• Stunning 18-hole course rated in Scotland’s top 100 courses • Some of golf’s most spectacular views • Full driving range with ball dispenser • Short Game area • Two Practice Putting Greens • First Rate Pro-Shop with Big-Name Brands • Excellent tuition from our resident Professionals • Buggies for hire • Trolley storage facilities • Modernised traditional Clubhouse • Great food in a beautifully appointed restaurant • Friendly, customer focused staff • Highly qualified and dedicated Greens Staff • A full and varied competition schedule • Friendly and welcoming members • A progressive Club with great ideas If it sounds like this is what you are looking for, or you feel this is lacking from your own Club, get in touch with us to discuss our membership opportunities for 2017.

Email: gm@kilmacolmgolfclub.com or Tel: 01505 872139

Kilmacolm Junior AGM There was a great turnout for the Junior AGM at Kilmacolm Golf Club on Sunday 13th November. A competition was played first and then the Prizegiving for winners during the year. Andrew Thomson, Junior Captain presented his report and Kenny Wilson, Club Vice-Captain presented the prizes. Harry Kellock was elected as Junior Captain for the next season.

Here is a photo of all the happy prize winners. Thanks to Lynda Bradley who organised the event and Junior competitions and to Jim Mackie who organises the Junior Newton Shield team.

Sporting Blog

by Lesley Handley

Before much evidence and research happened, runners just ran ... There was no real thought put into it and it was just a natural thing to do. Now, as time has moved on and a lot of research has taken place, runners need to do more than just run; they need to be strong and athletic. If not, even with good running technique injuries and poor performance are common. Some statistics put an injury rate greater than 60% for runners! Many runners now accept that they will perform and feel better if they do more than just run. Reducing the chance of injury and improving performance isn’t too hard to do – by adding some strength training to a regular routine makes all the difference. Whether the goal is to run faster, further or simply to run more efficiently with less aches and pains, strength sessions and exercises can help to correct muscle imbalances and weaknesses, improving performance.

You should focus on targeting the key muscles that will help keep you balanced, such as your core, lower back, shoulders, glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings (upper leg muscles). Strengthening these main muscles will allow you to use the body more efficiently. Using runner-specific strength exercises such as planks, squats, back extensions and lunges will help to increase structural fitness or the ability for your bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles to withstand the impact of running. While most forms of strength training can help improve overall performance, exercises that can be specific to running will be the most beneficial to you quicker. Improvements in strength allow the body to continue performing during longer distances, switch gears quickly and run faster as well as assisting in keeping a good running technique for longer – preventing the likelihood for injury.

For more information and your free strength conditioning programme for runners, e-mail me at Lesley@fitsmartfitness.co.uk and I will send it through to you!

Lesley

For more information/advice on Personal Training or nutrition contact me on 0773 627 4925 or e-mail Lesley@fitsmartfitness.co.uk

54-63 SCHOOLS-SPORTS_267_DECEMBER16.indd 63

17/11/2016 16:23:07

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t: 01505 613340

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TRADES AND SERVICES

TRADES & SERVICES Black & White ads only Lineage: up to 20 words £12.50* Boxed ad: £7.00* per column cm PROPERTY & HOLIDAY HOMES CARS FOR SALE Lineage: up to 20 words £13.00* Boxed ad: £7.50* per column cm Photo: add £7.50* (colour) *all prices subject to VAT

MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISE HERE FOR ONLY

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HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY

CHILDCARE Houston registered childminders.

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

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

BUSINESS

SITUATIONS VACANT

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TUITION YOUR TICKET TO LOCAL EVENTS /GryffeAds advertizer.co.uk /content/what-s-on 01505 613340

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december 2016

65

DEADLINES If you want something placed in the next issue either send an email to:

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Fri 9 December RESIDENTIAL TO RENT ADVERTISE HERE FOR ONLY

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churches BRIDGE OF WEIR

Freeland Church: Rev KN Gray BA BD. Morning Service 10.30am.

Crèche, Sunday School, Lynx and Cornerstone. Evening Service 7pm www.freeland. org.uk St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Johnston Rd, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3EE. Our Services are held every Sunday at 10am.

On the first Sunday each month at 6pm we welcome all who enjoy the beauty of quietness and peace at “Sanctuary” our Contemplative Service. All who seek God in mindful enquiry, in beauty, in quietness and service to others, all who are tired of life or full of it, all who are confident or all who are afraid - indeed whoever you are - you are welcome here! http://www.heartlandsec.org/ BoW/index.html Contact: Revd.

Heller G.P 01505 872961.

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church: Sunday services 10.30am, Junior Church & Youth Church, hearing aid loop system. For more information on activities and events find us online – stmacharsranfurlychurch.org. uk or Facebook. Come along – 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.

HOWWOOD

Howwood Parish Church. Minister Rev May Bell. Sunday Service and Sunday School. 10am each Sunday. Prayer meeting held at 3 Bowfield Way , Howwood, 7.30pm on Tuesdays.

HOUSTON

Houston and Killellan Kirk: Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity no SC 012822. www. houstonkirk.org. As there is a pulpit vacancy at Houston and Killellan Kirk the services

will be conducted by visiting ministers. 6th November Holy communion service at 9.45am, Morning service at 11am. 13th November - Remembrance Day service at 10.45am. 20th November - Morning service at 11am. 27th November - Morning service at 11am. Note:- We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of March and October. There are 3 services on each day 11am, 2.00pm and 6.45pm. A common cup is used for elders on duty and available to any members of the congregation who wish to use it. It is served in the front two rows of the church. Fortified wine is used in the common cup.

The rest of the congregation are served bread and wine in individual glass thimble containers using non-alcoholic wine. We also celebrate Holy Communion at the early morning service on the first Sunday of each month at 9.45am. (Except July & August). The common cup is used filled with fortified wine.

St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston: Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat) 5pm, 9.30am & 11am. Weekday Mass: Tues Sat 9.30am except Thurs, 7pm.

Reconciliation: Sat 10 - 10.30am and after Vigil Mass; Thurs 7.30 8pm. Exposition: As announced.

All are welcome. Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month by arrangement. Parish Priest: Rev Daniel J McLoughlin, Dip. Th.,MA Pastoral Assistant: Sr Mary Frances Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514). “Abbotsfield”, St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. T: 01505 612046, F: 01505 610556. E: parish@ stfillan.org.uk. www.stfillan. org.uk 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; Rev D Snelson 01505 612722.

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 9am - 9.30am every 3rd Sunday. www.houston.nazarene. org.uk

64-67 CLASSIFIED_267_DECEMBER16.indd 65

January ‘17 Issue: • Deadline: 09 Dec • Delivery: 30 Dec February ‘17 Issue: • Deadline: 13 Jan • Delivery: 27 Jan

LOCAL INFORMATION 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 Tuesday 7pm.

(NB: no meetings July, August and January) www.bridgeofweir.org BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: 7.30pm in February, April, June, August, October and December on 2nd Thursday of the month.

KILBARCHAN

Kilbarchan Parish Church: Services continue at 11am each Sunday throughout December, conducted by Rev. Stephen Smith. Sunday School and the creche meet in the large hall from 10.45am each week and refreshments will be served after the service as usual.

KILMACOLM

St Columba Church of Scotland: (charity no SC007992) Morning Worship Sundays at 11am.

Grace Church Kilmacolm: in association with Downavale Free Church of Scotland (Charity No: SCO38274) - Sunday Service at 10.30am in Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, PA13 4QF - all welcome.

Kilmacolm Old Kirk: Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk.

Minister Rev Dr Peter McEnhill (01505 873174). Morning Worship – Sundays 11 am, all welcome Sunday School and Crèche available. Night Kirk, a short reflective service 1st Sunday each month at 6pm.

Sòlas Bereavement Group, 2nd Thursday each month at 6:30 pm in Kidston Hall.

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 1 1 a m . R o s a r y Tu e s d a y s 6.30pm. Prayer group meets Thursdays 7.30pm. Further information and contact details www.stcolmsparish.co.uk. All welcome.

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

St Fillan’s Episcopal Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4DL. Services on Sunday at 11.30 am. Wednesday: 10.30 am Holy Communion. On the last Sunday of the month at 11:30 am we welcome families to come and join us for our monthly Family Service. We are united by our belief in Jesus, who sustains and encourages us in all the ups and downs of life. Everyone is welcome to join us ! http://www. heartlandsec.org/KLM/index. html Contacts: Revd. Heller G.P 01505 872961 / Maureen Russell (Pastoral Assistant) 01505 872905.

LANGBANK

HOUSTON: Carrick Centre: 3rd Wed at 7.30pm www.houstoncommcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

Langbank Parish Church: Rev Dr Ken Forrest. Sunday Services 10am with Sunday School, Crèche and young people’s group, the Welcomers. Tea/ coffee after the service. Church service starts at 10am. Come along and meet in the Hall f ro m 9 . 5 0 a m . C h a r i t y N o SC015085.

HOWWOOD: Village Hall: 2nd Tues at 7.30pm. www.howwood.com/community-council.php

Parish Church: Rev May Bell.

11.30am Morning Ser vice Sunday School and Crèche.

Calder United Free Church: ( C h u rc h S t L o c h w i n n o c h ) Sunday: 11am Morning 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.

LOCHWINNOCH: Bowling Club: 1st Tues at 7.30pm

LOCHWINNOCH

QUARRIERS

Mount Zion Church: Rev. Andy Lunn BSc, (01475 791282) Mount Zion Church, Law View Road, Quarriers Village, PA11 3FD. Sunday Worship: 10:30am, Bible Study and Prayer Meetings: Wednesday at 7pm and Friday at 10 am. “Mozzy” Youth Club Thursdays at 6:30 for young people of high school age. Half night of prayer: 7pm – midnight, 4th Friday of each month. Feel free to come along at any of these times.

‘The Gatherin’ is at 7pm on the fourth Sunday of each month, at Mount Zion Church in Quarriers Village. The Gatherin’ for people to come together who hunger for more of the presence of the Lord and to be fed from His word.

Please come and invite others: all welcome!

Celebrate Christmas with us.

At this festive time of year we praise God for Jesus, the source of our joy. Sunday 18 December Family Service at 10:30am - Christmas truth for all age groups, with puppets, carols and fun; Christmas Eve - Carols by Candlelight at 7pm - Christmas carols for all and musical items from our church and young people. Come early for a good seat! Followed by seasonal refreshments; Christmas Day - Family Celebration at 10:30am.

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

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

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ITEMS FOR SALE BABY EQUIPMENT Fisher Price rainforest jungle gym. Exc cond. with instructions. Smoke & pet free home. £15. Tel: 01505 672175.

Phillips Avent combined baby food steamer and blender with instructions and recipe booklet. Good cond. Smoke & pet free home. £30. Tel: 01505 672175.

Phillips Avent microwave bottle steriliser. Exc. cond., with instructions. Smoke & pet free home. £5. Tel: 01505 672175.

Cosatto 3Sixti pear high chair.

Turns 360 degrees, adjustable to any height. Inc. removable tray section. Good cond. & full instructions. Smoke free home. £70. Tel: 01505 672175.

Baby Dan highchairs 1 black, 1 dark mahogany. Both with all original parts and instructions.

Both with some chips in paint.

Black; £20, Mahogany effect £15. Collection only. Tel: 07772 173910.

Car Seats: 2 Rodi Maxi-Cosi car seats for sale, exc. cond., black & grey, suitable for age 3-8. Each seat cost £100 new, sell each for £20. Tel: 01505 690658.

CLOTHES & SHOES Men’s Dehavilland black coat.

Wool/cashmere mix, hardly worn and in exc. cond.

Chest 48ins. £50. Tel: 01505 672175.

Marks and Spencer men’s charcoal suit. Chest 48ins, waist 38ins, inside leg 31ins. Wool rich blend, exc. cond. £25. Tel: 01505 672175.

Men’s M&S waxed casual coat in dark green. Size large. As new. £60. Tel: 01505 672175.

Men’s waxed Barbour gilet in dark green. Size large. Good cond. £50. Tel: 01505 672175.

Men’s full length Dannimac raincoat in grey. Removable lining.

Size large. Good cond. £30.

Tel: 01505 672175.

Beautiful Kilt - fits 34” - 36” waist & Jacket 40”. £50. Tel: 01505 337675.

Dr Martens safety shoes, FS57 Air-Wair. Black leather, size 9.

Never worn, still in box. £25.

Tel: 01505 690247.

Red padded jacket hip length, zip through, pockets size 14 brand new. £25. Tel: 07856 610671.

Pair of Chest Waders Scierra make with separate boots, size 10. Brand new condition. £70.

Tel: 07882 984824.

Purple peplum-style maternity dress by Seraphine in size 14. £8. Tel: 01505 672175.

t: 01505 613340

Women’s Nike running jacket.

Lightweight, black, size medium. Exc cond. £20. Tel: 01505 672175.

“Aquascutum” sage green long Waterproof, worn twice (unwanted present). Great bargain £40. Tel: 01505 842558.

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN 2 Single Recliner Massage Beds with remotes. Can clip together to make king size. £199 each or £300 for two. Tel: 07812 520544.

Standard Lamp bought in B&Q 4 months ago. £12 Tel: 01505 872813.

Wooden Standard Lamp, big shade with fringe. Picture available. Offers. Tel: 01505 872813.

Ikea Children’s Brown/ Grey Sundvik single bed. Lovely bed, great cond. Dismantled.

With assembly instructions and original screws etc. Collection only. £40 ono. Tel: 07772 173910.

Next oak style wardrobe with two drawers, bought for £450 would accept £60 ono. Tel: 07527 066973.

Narrow pale oak hall table, decorated stand-up back, decorative scroll top legs. Some damage to front edge. Cheap at £40. Tel: 01505 872032.

New single bed headboard. Very modern design (high back).

Mocha colour, suedette. Never used. Bargain £20. Tel: 01505 690247.

Single divan bed, head board and mattress with storage space, excellent condition. £150 or nearest offer. Tel: 01505 323058 or E: s_mcclymont@ hotmail.com Half-moon dark mahogany table.

Georgian styling. Only £30.

Tel: 01505 872032 2 Hall Tables. Half moon rose coloured wood, W:720, H:750, D:360mm VGC. £20. Half Octagonal dark wood, carved legs and side with glass top.

W:710, H:740, D:380mm, VGC £30. House move forces sale.

Tel: 07759 024988.

Retro style oak and veneer coffee table from the House by John Lewis range. Handy shelves and drawers for storage. Approx H38cm x W110cm x D60cm. Exc. cond., smoke free home. £170. Tel: 01505 672175.

Caramel leather suite. 3 + 2 + 1 + footstool. Good condition. £300. Tel: 07981 018870.

Dark Wooden Dresser (small).

Matches dining room suite.

W: 9 4 0 H : 8 1 0 D : 4 4 0 m m .

House move forces sale. £50.

Tel: 07759 024988.

07731 923970

Double Bed. Base splits, each half with 2 drawers. Exc. Cond.

Rarely used. £100. Tel: 07981 018870.

Dark Wood Dining Room Suite.

(Ercol Style). Exc. cond., 4 chairs, 2 carvers, carved side of table. Trellis extending table. solid wood, lovely suite. Table 1220 x 810mm closed, 1820 x 810 extended and 760mm high. House move forces sale. £125. Tel: 07759 024988.

Selection of Mirrors. 2 oval each £10, small ‘dimpled’ pattern brass framed. £25. House move forces sale. Tel: 07759 024988.

Cintique 3 seater settee. Wooden sides and back, cream floral ‘tapestry.’ Good cond, cushions very firm, hardly sat on! Dimensions 1780mm L x 860mm W x 950mm H (to top of cushion) seat height 470mm.

House move hence sale. £65.

Tel: 07759 024988.

Mirrored wooden bathroom cabinet. Approx 60cm W x 65cm H x 13cm D. 3 shelves. Good used cond. £30. Tel: 01505 672175.

White bathroom sink and pedestal with taps. Approx 58cm W x 46cm D, bowl is 15cm deep.

Pedestal 65cm high. Good used cond. £25. Tel: 01505 672175.

Galvanised steel ash bucket 10 litre. £5. Tel: 01505 672175.

Pine Double Bed + Pine Bedside Table £65. Pine Chest of Drawers £45. Pine Bookcase £45 or £130 for all items. All items in good cond. Tel: 01475 540141.

Pair of tall cream fabric-covered cylindrical lamps (approx 115cm tall and 15cm in diameter ). Ideal for bedside. Good cond., smoke free home. £30.

Tel: 01505 672175.

Bed, electric riser & recliner with memory foam mattress and headboard. New £699, Sell for £199. Tel: 07986 812483.

New pine table & 2 matching high back stools. £35. Tel: 01505 612726.

Modern standard lamp & matching table lamp. Still boxed. £20. Tel: 01505 612726.

Moving - variety of household items, including electrical items, chairs, tables, linen etc.

Tel: 07466 676779.

ELECTRICAL & GAS DC50 Dyson Animal Upright Hoover. 21/2 years warranty.

Brand new condition. £150.

Tel: 07882 984824.

Panasonic portable stereo CD system in silver. Good cond. with instructions & remote. £15. Tel: 01505 672175.

PETS Dog extending lead, M/L dog, 5 metre Tape, Flexi Classic, Black, New in packaging. £7. Tel: 07717 190180 (Kilmacolm).

2 Folding Dog Crates (as new). 1 x 3ft x 2 ft - £25. 1 x 2ft x 1ft 6” £20. Tel: 07784 578343.

SPORTS Rayleigh Boys Bike to suit aged 7 - 9 years. Good cond. £20.

Tel: 07760 996225.

Salopettes - Girl, age 13-14, lilac, waterproof, windproof, phone pocket, goggle pocket. £15.

Tel: 01505 872442.

Bowls, Vector VS, size 4, plain, colour Jaffa Black speckled, dated 2019. VGC. £50. Tel: 01505 614492.

Bikemate child carrier bike seat, attaches easily to rear of bike.

Adjustable harness, adjustable foot rests and straps.

Good cond. £20. Tel: 07772 173910.

Dinesse large Matt black ski/ snowboard helmet. Good cond. £20. Tel: 01505 672175.

Snooker/pool table. 5’ x 2.5’.

Folding legs. Good cond. 2 sets of balls (pool & snooker).

Cues (3 small & 1 large).

Extras (chalk, 2 triangles, new tips). £50 - Must collect. Tel: 01505 690288.

Golf Clubs - 1 x Wilson Golf Bag & Trolley, 7 woods, 8 irons, 2 putters. £30. Tel: 07784 578343.

2 GUL Wetsuits, long leg/sleeve - both hardly used. Pet/smoke free home. Age 10 size - winter use - red/black £20 ono.

Age 8 size - spring/autumn use - blue/black £15 ono.

Buyer collects. Tel/Text: 07852 316771.

JLL exercise bike, 12 months old, only 30 miles on the clock. £65.

Tel: 01505 873501.

Dumbbell Set (York 15kg).

Unused, still in box. Ideal Christmas present. £10. Tel: 01505 690247.

Kettler Sport - folding table tennis table. Exc. cond. £60. Tel: 07714 212557.

6ft x 3ft snooker table with net pockets, half set of snooker balls, triangle, cues and score board - can be folded down.

Exc. cond. £100 ono. Tel: 01505 323058 or E: s_mcclymont@hotmail.com Salopettes - Girl, 26”, Dare2be, dark grey, waterproof, windproof, leg, front & back pockets. £15. Tel: 01505 872442.

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.

64-67 CLASSIFIED_267_DECEMBER16.indd 66

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

TOYS/GAMES/DVD Sylvanian family hotel, few extras. Good cond. £50. Tel: 01505 702903.

Wooden toy ark with animals.

Good cond., smoke free home. £12. Tel: 01505 672175.

Wooden Pony in a stick push toy. £4. Tel: 01505 672175.

Tidlo wooden activity walker.

Exc. cond. £18. Tel: 01505 672175.

Mamas and Papas large rocking horse. Exc. cond. from smoke & pet free home. Ideal Xmas present, immac cond. £75. Tel: 07540 596415.

Tonka yellow truck. Exc. cond. from smoke & pet free home.

Ideal Xmas present, VGC. £5.

Tel: 07540 596415.

Happy Land train, post office and fire station sets incl. most original parts all working and in good used cond. Other various Happy Land characters and pieces included. Perfect Xmas present. £25 all in. Tel: 07772 173910.

Rocking horse, hand crafted, beautifully made. £160. Tel: 01505 612896.

Plastic toddler seat for child’s swing with ropes attached, just no frame. Very good condition. £6. Tel: 01505 672175 Peppa Pig toys all in good cond.

Rocket with sounds and 3 figures, camping set with camper van & zip slide, 3 fairground pieces, grandpa pig and boat, Peppa Pig car and family, house & shops, school & children, lots more. Perfect Xmas present - Job lot £45 or pay individually £3 up. Collection only. Tel: 07772 173910.

OTHER ITEMS Floor Mounted Projector Screen. £25. Tel: 07759 024988.

Noris Slide Projector. Good working order (bulb works) in leather case. £35. Tel: 07759 024988.

Remington Ceramic Hair Straighteners. New, unwanted gift. £25. Tel: 07759 024988.

Pair of Jamo 100W, D-135, black ash speakers. (H21” x W11” x D9”). Good working cond. £35.

Tel: 01505 690247.

National 5 Practice Paper & How to Pass books. Maths, English, Modern Studies, French, Business. Great condition. C £10 each new. Sell for £2 each. Tel: 01505 615055.

Brand new steel car wheel 6JX15H2 and new Jinyu tyre 185/60 R15. Stored as spare wheel only. £80. Tel: 07736 067169.

Microsoft wireless keyboard, mouse and USB desktop receiver in black and silver.

Excellent condition. £15. Tel: 01505 672175.

Amber vintage necklace 80g, long cognac colour £48. Tel: 07856 610671.

DIY Tools:- Twin bench grinder, hand grinder (Makita), Table saw & blades, Router, Rotary hammer drill (600w), Hand jigsaws, Power hand planer (Makita), Drill (B&D 600w), clamps etc. Offers as seen.

Tel: 0141 886 3109.

Gents Watch - Citizen Eco-Drive.

Black face with silver colour hands/numerals and day/date calendar. Black leather strap.

VGC, original box, instructions. £30. Tel: 01505 690247.

Reiki Bed (manual) rarely used.

Navy blue. Comes with own wheeled trolley case for easy transportation. Buyer collects. £90. Tel: 07794 912790.

Eumig P8 Novo Automatic in original box. Made in Austria 1960’s cine projector in good working order, no scratches etc. Needs new bulb (available on Ebay from £6). Includes empty spool. £130. Tel: 07759 024988.

Vintage Harris hand sewing machine. £25. Tel: 01505 672175.

Binoculars, vintage, British, telstar coated lenses. £25. Tel: 07856 610671.

Classical Guitar. Very rarely used. £30. Tel: 01505 612726.

Portable Yamaha Organ (V.G.C.) with stand and sheet music.

Great bargain. £30. Tel: 01505 842558.

WANTED ITEMS

Old records Wanted 45`s & LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 07710 777571.

Becker Map Pilot Sat Nav for Mercedes:- Tel: 07837 494612 Local lily grower requires the use of a greenhouse/polytunnel in Kilmacolm area in return for light gardening duties. Tel: Vince 01505 872082.

14” dolls for people suffering with dementia. Tel: 07763 665496.

Cash paid for Music CDs (a few or a lot). Tel: 0141 882 5594 or 07765 115347.

FREE

CYCLE

Hamster cage, 3 levels with ramps & wheel, water bottle & food station. VGC. Tel: 01505 872442.

Red IKEA Hermelin Cotbed & Mattress, Dismantled cot in good condition. With instructions and hopefully all, if not most original screws etc.

Collection only. Tel: 07772 173910.

Childs Little Tykes Coupe Car, good condition but steering wheel has come off, still have part so someone may be ale to fix. Collection only. Tel: 07772 173910.

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17/11/2016 16:44:34

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www.advertizer.co.uk

december 2016

67

ADVERTIZERS - A TO Z

BY CATEGORY Accountants & Financial Affluent Financial Planning . . 28 Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 15 Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 15 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1

Architectural Services Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Art, Gifts & Flowers Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 14

Automotive Services AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 ARC Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . 37 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 37

Bathrooms Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 17

Bedrooms Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 8

Blacksmith & Metalwork McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21

Building Services A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,51 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 22 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 38 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 47 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 16 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 9 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 55

Business Services Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 34

Care Services & Homes Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 41

Cleaning & PowerWash CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14 Eclipse deep clean . . . . . . . . . 16 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5

Fencing Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21

Firewood & Logs Auldton Stoves . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 47 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Framing Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 14

Funeral Services Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 32 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 23

Garage Doors & Gates Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Garden Service & Design 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 51 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 52 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 51 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 6 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,51 DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 50 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 52 Gowanlea Nurseries . . . . . . . . . 9 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 51 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 52 SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 51 West of Scotland Landscape . . 50

Gas & Heating Services A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 14 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6 CGS Gas Scotland Ltd . . . . . . . 10 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 4 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 14 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

Electricians GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2

Entertainment Highland Hustle . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 8 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 17 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 9

Laundry & Ironing Harrods DryCleaners . . . . . . . . 41

Leisure & Recreation Ranfurly Castle Golf Club . . 60

Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 40 Ardardan Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 Gibb Stuart . . . . 14,15,16,27 Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Tasty Treats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 4 Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 25

Roofing Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 2 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 38 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 16 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 55

Solicitors Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1

Locksmiths

Special Occasions

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Painters & Decorators

Sports Clubs & Events Ranfurly Castle Golf Club . . 60

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 15 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Ian Livingston Decorating . . 16 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Stoves

Pest Control

Tiling

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 7

Auldton Stoves . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Iron House Stoves Limited . . 26 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 47

Taxis & Minicoach hire ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 36 Minicoach Tours Scotland Ltd . . 21

Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Tree Surgeon

Hairdressers & Barbers

Plasterers

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 41 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 42

Health, Beauty & Fitness

Home Improvements

Rugby Tots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Kitchens

Retail

Travel Agents

Gibb Stuart . . . . 14,15,16,27

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 10

Ardardan Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 38

Photographers

Home Hardware

Driveways

Kilt & Dress Hire

Restaurant & Bars

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 16 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Education

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 34

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 CM Carpentry & Flooring . . . . 7 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 22 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 16 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 9 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 15

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 48

Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 14 Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7

Computer, IT & Web

@ease Removals & Transport . . 6 The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Joiners

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 7 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Glazier

Driving Instructors

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 38 Cross Cafe Kilmacolm . . . . . . . 42

Removals

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 7

Pet Services & Training

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 41 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 20 Clyde Physiotherapy and Pilate . . 63 Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 9 Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Highland Hustle . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 45 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Lauras Nail & Beauty . . . . . . . 9 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 26 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 24 Rugby Tots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 43 Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Coffee Shops

Home Security

Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 21 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 5 Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 29 Rent A Bloke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Home Interiors Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 8 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 47 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 4

Little Studio Kilmacolm . . . . 57 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 2 Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 22 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 22 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15

Plumbers A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 14 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 4 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 14 Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Property, Sales & Let Cochran Dickie Estate Agents . . 35 Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 52 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 51

TV & Satellite Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 42 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3

Upholstery Services Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 Eclipse deep clean . . . . . . . . . 16 P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 21

Window Cleaners DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 14

Window, Consv & Repair 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Art Window & Doors . . . . . . . . . 31,Bk JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 7 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

@ease Removals & Transport . . 6 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 51 A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 15 A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 52 A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 14 ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Affluent Financial Planning . . 28 Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 40 Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 14 Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 21 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 51 ARC Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . 37 Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ardardan Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 41 Art Window & Doors . . . . . . . . . 31,Bk Auldton Stoves . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 38 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 20 Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 7 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 2 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 8 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 CGS Gas Scotland Ltd . . . . . . . 10 Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 22 Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 15 CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 2 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 Clyde Physiotherapy and Pilate . . 63 CM Carpentry & Flooring . . . . 7 Cochran Dickie Estate Agents . . 35 ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 41 Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 14 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 6 Cross Cafe Kilmacolm . . . . . . . 42 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 42 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,51 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 50 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14 Eclipse deep clean . . . . . . . . . 16 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 9 Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 15 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 52 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gibb Stuart . . . . 14,15,16,27 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 52 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 16 Gowanlea Nurseries . . . . . . . . . 9 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 37 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Harrods DryCleaners . . . . . . . . 41 Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 10

Highland Hustle . . . . . . . . . . . 17 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 4 Ian Livingston Decorating . . 16 Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 5 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 17 Iron House Stoves Limited . . 26 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 22 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 7 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 23 Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 36 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 45 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 34 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Lauras Nail & Beauty . . . . . . . ,9 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Little Studio Kilmacolm . . . . 57 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 51 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 14 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 14 MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 38 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 16 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 2 Minicoach Tours Scotland Ltd . . 21 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 26 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 42 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 24 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 47 Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 29 P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 21 Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 52 Ranfurly Castle Golf Club . . 60 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rent A Bloke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rugby Tots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 48 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 43 SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 16 Tasty Treats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 9 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 4 The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 55 Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 West of Scotland Landscape . . 50 Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 25 Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 15

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 WhatsApp 07731 923970 or check our website at www.advertizer.co.uk

Next Issue: (#268) January ‘17 Deadline: Friday 9 December

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December 2016 No.267

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