281 February 2018 - Gryffe Advertizer

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February 2018 No.281

Winter Riverside Houston by Matt Johnston

No. 281

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February 2018

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your LOCAL community magazine

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A community magazine delivered FREE to homes in the Gryffe area 01+60 COVER_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 1

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March ‘18 Issue: April ‘18 Issue: • Deadline: 16 th FEBRUARY • Deadline: 16 th MARCH • Delivery: 27 th FEBRUARY • Delivery: 27 th MARCH With Spring fast approaching, this is the time of year for cleaning driveways, patios etc., ready for the Summer. If you are thinking of having your driveway cleaned then it is crucial it’s done correctly to prevent problems in future.

If there are a lot of weeds these should be treated before jet-washing and after a high-pressure industrial clean that removes dirt, moss and a little sand, it is critical to re-sand with kiln-dried sand, a Biocidal treatment will then resist future growths. Give us a call for free friendly information on this service or for a free quotation.

This month

It seems like such a long time ago since I penned my December column.

At that time I suggested we keep our Christmas lights on a little longer into the month of January to help get us through the dark winter evenings, and I am delighted to see that a number of you joined in. It really did seem to help.

At our office we’ve now recovered from our broadband meltdown just prior to Christmas. It is great to be back online and I will never again complain about poor broadband speed, well for a while anyway. It is amazing just how dependent we have become. I’m so grateful it wasn’t our home service which was affected over the holidays; teenage meltdown is not pretty!

We’ve had some very good feedback on the new look of the magazine.

We hope to keep tweaking things to improve the product we bring to you all each month. We’re also open to your suggestions (polite please!).

The roads once again are a hot topic of conversation. Deafhillock Roundabout seems to be resolved, apart from one car totally misjudging and ending up right in the middle. I’m still trying to figure out just how they managed that!

The A761 out of Bridge of Weir towards Brookfield is finally getting the drainage sorted out, along with resurfacing. The detours are not ideal, being the Kilbarchan Road which is narrow and rutted in places, or the Houston Road which also has a random scattering of holes set to catch people out. All the roads seem to be particularly bad this winter.

Staying with potholes, social media has been very beneficial. Real-time warnings are being posted as new potholes open up. And those who are unfortunate enough to hit a virtual chasm, resulting in severe wheel/tyre damage, have been able to confirm with other Facebookers as to when these holes were first reported and whether there is any liability on the Council’s part.

Still on potholes, I vaguely recall a long number of years ago that the Council had their own Roads Team. They maintained the roads, verges and ditches. Things seemed to be better back then. Nowadays, it seems the norm to allow the byways to deteriorate to a point beyond maintenance and repair, which then becomes a major rebuild and resurfacing project.

Nostalgia kicking in or sadly, an element of truth?

Bollards again! Back in December, I sent in a complaint to Renfrewshire Council’s “roads reporting page” regarding the crumbling traffic island as you leave Bridge of Weir towards Kilmacolm. This appears to have been hit so many times that all that’s left of the reflective uprights is now little black stumps. Either fix it, or just take it away, it is impossible to see at night and clearly presents a real danger to road users.

Finally, more new build houses! We just heard last week that Gladman are back on the scene with a proposal for Quarriers Village. However, on reading the Councillors’ submissions this month, there seems to be a movement towards a more cohesive and sensible review of these continued greenbelt planning applications. Cllr Audrey Doig comments, “The Council has agreed to revise how it looks at planning applications and now wants a more streamlined approach which will give more weight to the Local Development Plan, and make it easier for Councillors to oppose controversial planning applications. This should also make it easier to defend the integrity of greenbelt land.” Hopefully common sense will prevail and developers will be encouraged to consider “brownfield” sites first and foremost. Greenbelt release should only be considered as an absolute last resort.

Rona

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Contents

local news............................................................. 4-13 optical blog ............................................................. 10 on the road .............................................................. 12 dental blog .............................................................. 13 what’s on ............................................................14-21 finance & tech....................................................22-27 financial blog .......................................................... 22 IT blog. ..................................................................... 22 legal blog ................................................................. 25 local history ............................................................. 26 pet news .............................................................28-29 pet blog.................................................................... 28 outdoors..............................................................30-35 village news........................................................36-45 school news........................................................46-51 sport news ..........................................................52-55 sporting blog ........................................................... 54 business classified ................................................. 56 church listings ........................................................ 57 sales & wants .......................................................... 58 advertizer directory................................................. 59 deadlines dates....................................................... 59 pick up a copy ......................................................... 60

Contact us 1st Floor, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN t: 01505 613340 m: 07731 923970 e: info@advertizer.co.uk w: www.advertizer.co.uk @GryffeAds Open Tuesday to Thursday 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-12:30pm All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

The Gryffe Advertizer cannot be held responsible for unsolicited materials. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the views of the publishers. The Gryffe Advertizer takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication.

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Paisley awarded £250,000 lottery cash to help build town as visitor destination Plans to cement Paisley’s place as a key visitor destination within Scotland have been given a £250,000 cash boost by the National Lottery.

The money follows a successful application by Renfrewshire Council and will be used to help local cultural and heritage groups work together to showcase the town’s unique story to potential visitors.

It’s part of a £2.4m investment announced through the National Lottery’s Great Places scheme, to be shared between nine projects across Scotland.

The Great Places scheme aims to allow communities to use their unique heritage to shape their futures, and tackle wider issues such as poverty, employment, health and education.

Paisley’s project will bring local people and organisations together to build new partnerships and capacity within the local cultural and heritage sector to improve the visitor experience.

The funding will also support the development of digital skills to promote Paisley and Renfrewshire’s cultural and heritage story to existing and new audiences.

The project will start later this year and run until 2020, and a partnership of public sector, business, community and voluntary groups will be pulled together to run it.

It will support the new destination brand and website for the town - due to be revealed in February.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “We are delighted with this news and thank all at the Heritage Lottery Fund for their support.

“Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 did a huge amount to raise our profile as a destination and make people aware of what the town has to offer, as part of a wider plan to use the power of our unique culture and heritage to transform the area’s future “That helped us manage a big increase in the numbers of visitors to Renfrewshire attractions over the past few years - 1.7m in 2016, up 25%.

“We want to grow that further, by showing off what sets us apart to bring new footfall to the town, and building on Paisley’s growing reputation as a key venue within Scotland for events and culture.

“This money will help groups across Renfrewshire who have a stake in that to work together, equip them to promote the town and themselves, and be ready to welcome visitors when they arrive.”

for more details visit www.greatplacescheme.org.uk/scotland

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Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up?

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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 ďŹ x 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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Glasgow Airport Launches Public Consultation on Proposals to Modernise Airspace On Monday 15th January Glasgow Airport launched a 13-week public consultation for feedback on proposals to modernise the airspace currently being used by aircraft flying to and from the airport.

The airspace change proposals are part of the UK Future Airspace Strategy (FAS), an industry-wide initiative driven by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

A key part of the FAS involves the removal of groundbased navigation aids across the UK and using stateof-the-art satellite navigation systems in their place.

The ground-based navigation aid which are currently in use at Glasgow Airport (and has been in use since the 1980s) to guide air traffic is set to be decommissioned by our air traffic control provider, NATS, in 2019.

The move to satellite-based navigational systems will help reduce the amount of time planes queue, both in the air and on the ground, and will reduce the overall CO2 and fuel emissions currently being produced by 21%.

Mark Johnston, operations director at Glasgow Airport, said: “The flight paths used at Glasgow Airport have not changed in over 50 years and, as is the case with the wider UK airspace infrastructure, they are simply no longer fit for purpose. We now need to ensure the way we manage our airspace matches the advancements that have been made in aircraft technology.

“Modern aircraft are now equipped to use satellite navigation meaning they can fly more efficient, reliable and direct routes. In moving to this new system, not only will we be able to improve the punctuality of flights, we will be able to reduce the amount of fuel burn from aircraft at Glasgow by over 4,000 tonnes. To put this in perspective, this is the equivalent amount of fuel an A320-200 aircraft would require to operate 1,370 flights between Glasgow and Frankfurt. This in turn will allow us to reduce CO2 emissions by 21% (12,910 tonnes).

“It is important to stress we will only make changes to the arrival or departure flight paths once we have considered the views of all those who respond to the airspace change consultation. We will host a number of drop-in sessions over the course of the coming months and all views will then be presented to our regulator, the CAA, before the necessary approval can be granted.”

Mark Johnston added: “We are fully committed to growing the airport responsibly and modernising our airspace will help us achieve that. It is important that our communities and stakeholders are fully involved in this modernisation process and we would encourage people to participate.”

Further information on the airspace consultation, including how to respond, can be found at www. glasgowairport.com/airspace The airport is required to publish an updated noise action plan every five years and will be undertaking a parallel 13-week consultation process on a draft plan to gather feedback. The noise action plan sets out proposed measures to manage and mitigate the impact of aviation-related noise.

Following the completion of the public consultation, Glasgow Airport will produce a final version of the Noise Action Plan document which will incorporate a record of responses and how they have been taken into account.

The deadline for submissions is 13th April 2018.

Information on the Noise Action Plan can be found at www.glasgowairport.com/community/noise

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Johnstone first for free wifi Johnstone is the first town centre in Renfrewshire to get free, public wifi in outdoor locations. Wifi can now be accessed in streets surrounding the Johnstone Town Hall, as far as Quarry Street, William Street, Church Street and the High Street. It is also available in public buildings across Johnstone, including the town hall and community library, as well as in Houston Square.

The initiative is part of a £1 million project to bring free, public wifi to Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew town centres.

Renfrewshire Council leader, Councillor Iain Nicolson said: “Back in November, we made a commitment to the people of Johnstone that they would be the first community in Renfrewshire to get outdoors public wifi in their town centre.

“I’m delighted that we have delivered on this commitment and look forward to seeing Johnstone residents and visitors enjoying the benefits that free public wifi offers.

“Giving all members of the community equal access to the internet via free public wifi is an excellent way to tackle the problem of digital exclusion which can affect low income earners, older adults and people with disabilities.

“It also provides everyone with the same level of access to important information such as health advice and online education, as well as the ability to communicate instantly with others. Ultimately, the installation of free public wifi in the town centre will help Johnstone to become a better connected society.”

The wifi was installed by service provider Boston Networks, paving the way for further expansion into multiple indoor and outdoor locations across Johnstone.

Chief Executive of Boston Networks Scott McEwan said: “We’re delighted to deliver the first public wifi service to Johnstone town centre.

“Using the very latest wireless technology, our experienced engineers worked with Renfrewshire Council to enhance the user experience by offering seamless connectivity into even the most difficult to reach areas. This means visitors and residents can benefit from fast and free internet access across from the town centre.”

Paisley and Renfrew are due to have free public wifi in outdoors locations across their town centres by Spring-2018.

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the advertizer Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park by Fariba Wiseman

St. Vincent’s Hospice nears Pearl Anniversary In 2018, St. Vincent’s Hospice will be celebrating 30 years of care for all as they mark their Pearl Anniversary with a special Ceilidh Ball taking place at the Hilton Glasgow on Friday 2 February 2018.

As part of the event, the Hospice are offering limited opportunities for businesses, groups and individuals from throughout the community to become Pearl Sponsors: high profile sponsors to help deliver vital care and support for individuals and families affected by life limiting conditions.

Chief Executive of St. Vincent’s Hospice, Kate Lennon, said: “For close to 30 years our team of specialist, dedicated staff, have been delivering palliative and end of life care, as well as supporting families and loved ones during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

“What we have accomplished during this time has been incredible, but it has only been possible thanks to the continued generosity of countless sponsors and donors, who have given up their time, money and effort for our services.

“2018 is going to be a celebration of all of how far we have come, the lives we have touched as well as a look to the future, and we want you to be a part of that by becoming one of our Pearl Sponsors.”

By becoming a Pearl Sponsor, you will receive a table at the Ceilidh Ball, and will be presented with a limited edition, collectable gift as a token of your support. You will also be featured in the programme for the evening, and across a variety of promotional and digital channels throughout the 12 months.

Kate added: “Our Fundraising team will work with your business or group to maximise the benefit of your participation and help raise your profile across Renfrewshire as a supporter of St. Vincent’s Hospice and a vital partner in helping us treat more patients than ever before.”

For more information about Pearl Sponsorship, please contact: Louise.

Strachan@svh.co.uk.

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For those who don’t know me, my name is Adele Houston and I have just launched my flagship boutique salon in Kilmacolm.

Formally internationally trained, I moved to Kilmacolm just over 5 years ago to start up on my own. Five years later, my business had grown so much that I was able to have my own wee place! When I’m not with clients in the salon, I’ll be travelling the country for all my gorgeous brides, getting to work in some amazing locations!

Launching her own business within the salon is Gemma Erroch, a well known local stylist with a huge following.

We are both looking forward to welcoming clients old and new for a bespoke experience in a relaxed, forward thinking environment and you are all encouraged to bust a move in our very cool disco loo.

To book please call 01505 873338

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Optical Blog

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians

Specs appeal!

With the wide range of stylish and affordable frames on the market, there has never been a better time to update your look with a new pair of specs!

If you’re buying new spectacles this year, here are the key eyewear trends that you need to know about.

Coloured frames remain popular, especially green and multi-coloured designs. Anyone looking for a more subtle update to their look will find many classic styles now have a flash of colour on the front or the side to highlight the style.

Metal frames that are slim and lightweight in design have a minimalistic yet fashionable look. There are lots of different brands on the market that have a retro look influenced by the 40’s, 50’s, 60s and 70s!

Acetate frames are lightweight, strong and made from the highest quality plastic material. There are beautiful, coloured acetate frames on the market where colour mixes are used to create new looks.

Classic plastic frames in tortoiseshell, brown and black still remain popular. Material combinations are strong for the season ahead, giving designers a chance to be creative with size, contrast and interesting colour combinations.

Wood is now an established eyewear material, which is great news for more eco-friendly consumers. Also look out for more recycled material such as buffalo horn.

With so much choice available, it’s no surprise many people now own more than one pair of frames!

Please call us at the practice on 01505 614700 if you would like any more information.

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Soroptimists International President’s Appeal

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Women, Water and Leadership

Members of Soroptimist International of Paisley raised £300 at a silent auction towards the recently launched International Appeal which will support projects that educate, empower and enable women and girls ensuring they have the capacity, experience and education needed to manage water resources and gain careers in water related professions.

The funds were raised by a silent auction when members contributed unwanted gifts and other items, then enjoyed bidding against each other for the items they wanted!

By uniting the four Soroptimist Federations, the President’s Appeal hopes to reach the goal of raising £350,000 over two years, and to have improved, sustainable, accessible and affordable water products and services on five continents.

The first project to be supported is ‘Improving access to agricultural information, clean energy and water to achieve better food security for 500 women farmers in Kenya, Africa’.

Through training and capacity building, the women will be exposed to better and modern farming structures, helping them move on from subsistence farming – growing crops and raising livestock sufficient only for one’s own use – to commercial farming, and will be supported throughout the transition.

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SEE A POTHOLE? REPORT IT!

Call 01475 717171 Report online at https://myaccount.inverclyde.g ov.uk/site/inverclydewss/home /Pothole You can also write to: Inverclyde Council Municipal Buildings Clyde Square GREENOCK PA15 1LY

Call 0300 3000 300 Online fault report at https://selfservice.renfrewshir e.gov.uk/Ef3/General.jsp?for m=SS_RoadAndLightFault&p age=pg_locatestreet You can also write to: Community Resources Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley, PA1 1BR

Winter Driving

A guide to travel warnings

Prepare for the winter by keeping your vehicle well maintained before you take to the road. Reduced daylight hours and the possibility of inclement weather place additional demands on all road users.

Take special care that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and wiper blades are in good condition and well maintained. In addition, washer bottles need to contain an additive to stop the water from freezing.

When did you last check your tyres? Tyres should be checked weekly to ensure they are legal and at the correct pressure (check the vehicle handbook). The minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the centre ¾ of the breadth of the tread around the entire circumference (1 mm for motorcycles). They should also be checked for bulges, cuts or tears which will weaken the tyre. Failure to maintain your tyres could lead to a maximum of £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.

Windscreens, wiper blades and windows must be kept clean and free from defects. Make sure it is properly demisted and clear of snow and ice before you drive. Low sun can make it difficult to see and a dirty, greasy or damage windscreen can make this worse.

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

Keep well back from the road user in front in icy or snowy weather. Stopping distances can be ten times greater. When the roads are icy, drive at slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather. Motorcyclists and cyclists can easily be blown off course particularly in open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds.

When driving in fog use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you.

Fog lights can only be used when visibility is seriously reduced to less than 100 metres but they must be switched off if visibility improves. Be prepared for a bank of fog or drifting patchy fog ahead. Even if it seems to be clearing, you can suddenly find yourself in thick fog.

Avoid driving in icy or snowy conditions unless your journey is essential.

If you do, we recommend you take an emergency kit of: scraper, de-icer, torch, first aid kit, jump leads, shovel, warm drink and emergency food in case you get stuck or break down.

Further information • Traffic Scotland - http://www.trafficscotland.org/ • Transport Scotland - http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ • Ready Scotland - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/publicsafety/ready-scotland For more information or advice please contact the Road Safety Unit on 101

Travel conditions are graded at four levels by police and transport officials depending on the severity of the weather.

Stage 1: Normal operations - no severe weather.

Stage 2: Travel with caution - police advise people that conditions for road travel may be hazardous.

Stage 3: High risk of disruption for road journeys - police advise that there is a high risk of disruption for road journeys. Travellers are likely to experience significant delays.

Stage 4: Avoid travelling on the roads - journeys should be avoided. Severe delays expected.

What the weather warning colours mean Yellow: Severe weather expected. Yellow means you should plan ahead thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day-to-day activities.

Amber Be prepared for disruption. There is an increased likelihood of bad weather affecting you, which could potentially disrupt your plans and possibly cause travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property.

Red: Extreme weather is expected. Red means you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42730725

Help us keep you & the local area moving this winter.

Follow us on facebook & twitter @GryffeRoadwatch and if you spot or know of any road works, flooding, ice or blockages let us know!

You can send us a message via facebook or twitter or post a wee comment on Gryffe Roadwatch or The Advertizer’s page.

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The Masquerade Ball Ardgowan Hospice will be holding their annual fundraiser at Greenock Town Hall on Saturday 10th March 2018.

Tables of 10 are £550 and includes a Sparkling Reception, Celebrity Host, Live Music, a three course menu, Silent Auction, Live Auction, DJ and much more.

Running from 7pm until late - Unveil yourself at midnight.... if you choose!

To book your table, call Alex Mula on 01475 558888, email fundraising@ ardhosp.co.uk or visit www.ardgowanhospice.co.uk

Glasgow Goes Green On Friday 16th February 2018, from 1pm to 8pm, Glasgow University Environmental Sustainability Team, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Strathclyde will host a Festival promoting local and sustainable lifestyle.

Held at The Art School, GSA Students’ Association, 20 Scott Street, Glasgow G3 6PE, you will be able to find university societies and social enterprises engaging in activities that will give you new insight into living and loving a local life.

You’ll be able to meet groups like Wood Recycling Glasgow, GU’s bike hub, beekeepers and even gamers for wellbeing. You can come and sew your ripped clothes back together, get your bikes fixed and eat rescued (but still delicious) food, all while listening to good music. There will be artists from dancers, to painters and musicians. Everything for the good of our environment and health.

More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/231249187417214/ or https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow -goes-green-tickets42052942483

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Dental Blog

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by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner, Kilbarchan Dental Practice

Choosing the Right Dentist Choosing the right dentist is a really important decision for you and your family.

If you have children, your choice can shape their attitude towards going to the dentist for years to come. Most practices that offer NHS treatments like ours will offer “Child smile” care to offer specialist advice and treatment designed to ensure good dental health and awareness. Make sure you are happy with your dentist’s “chair-side” manner – remember, there’s nothing stopping you changing dentist at any point.

Personal recommendation is really useful but do make sure you compare like with like. If you have children, ask friends with kids. Similarly, if you or a family member is nervous about visits to the dentist maybe ask someone who feels the same. Nowadays you can also have a look at any online reviews and social media pages.

It makes sense to ensure that the practice you are considering offers all the services you want. Some will just offer basic or selective treatments whilst others offer a full range of specialist services such as the cosmetic dentistry and sedation for nervous patients that we have seen increased demand for.

The physical environment is important and modern new dental centres will usually have the latest equipment. A well designed spacious practice can still be friendly and welcoming and our younger patients love our kids’ playroom.

Good dentists often have thousands of patients so check that there is a sufficient team of fully qualified dentists for the size of the practice. Customer care is important and the better practices will always try and meet your needs when you are making your appointment. It is also worth checking opening times - not all dentists open on a Saturday for instance.

Spend some time investigating the best options available to you and be prepared to travel a bit - patients come to us from across Renfrewshire, Greater Glasgow and even further afield!

If you have any queries about any areas of dental health visit us at Kilbarchan Dental Practice, call 01505 704969 or click www.kilbarchandental.co.uk where you’ll find lots more free tips and advice.

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McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 7.30pm Paul Matthews will deliver an illustrated talk entitled’ Natural History of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens’. All welcome.

The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of Weir We are pleased to host an art exhibition in aid of St Vincent’s Hospice. Please come along to support this local charity. The Bridge also boasts an extensive selection of Greetings Cards, essential Stationery items, a drop in café, ever-changing exhibitions and sales of used books.

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Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 7.30pm Price £5 per person, includes refreshments. Contact Aileen on 07766 221369 for further information. Everyone welcome.

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Art on a Postcard

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Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 6pm to 9.30pm Pick up a postcard sized masterpiece for a reasonable price! Buy your Valentine a unique gift. Creators range from celebrated Scottish artists to talented amateurs. Proceeds to the design and construction charity Orkidstudio. orkidstudio.org

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Sòlas Bereavement Group Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm Sòlas Bereavement Group

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West Renfrewshire Young Farmers Presents their Annual Variety Concert “Wartime Mates and Factory Gates” Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th February 2018, Port Glasgow Town Hall, Curtain up at 7.30pm Dance to follow Saturday night performance at Kilmacolm Community Centre Contact Iain Ritchie for tickets on 07510 636352

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Kilbarchan Agricultural Show Whist Drive

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm Toe tapping entertainment with Archie and Willie on Accordions, Graham on Drums.

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Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 8pm Alison (soprano) and Sacha (guitar) perform a variety of Spanish, Latin American, French, Italian, Contemporary and Scots Song repertoire. Ticket Prices (single concert): Adults £12, Children/ Student £5. Call 01505 229597 or e mail thecarrickcentre@gmail.com

Paisley - various venues The Monte Carlo Classic Rally will kick off the new year with up to 80 vintage vehicles expected to leave for France in the only UK start leg of the international event

FRI

2ND F

Carrick Nights

31ST J

Monte Carlo Classic Rally

THU

EBRUARY

Natural History of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Art Exhibition for St Vincent’s Hospice

WED

2ND F

11TH F

EBRUARY

Valentine Seasonal Crafts

The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees Bridge, Greenock 1pm to 3pm Love is in the air…use willow to create your very own heart wreaths and take home your own baby oak tree to nurture and love before bringing it back to plant in the Park. For more information look and book online or tel 01475 521458. £10 per person

SUN

11TH F

EBRUARY

TnT Bird Ringing Demonstration

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen Road near Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB 10am to 12.30pm A chance to see our native woodland birds up close and literally ‘in the hand’ while they get their identification rings.

Please note morning only today. For more information tel: 01505 614791

MON

12TH F

EBRUARY

Carers Meeting

Strathgryffe Medical Practice (Ranfurly), Kilmacolm Road, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PS 7pm Strathgryffe Medical Practice invites its patients to a carers meeting. The topic will be Emergency & Future Planning.

TUE

13TH F

EBRUARY

Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning

St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm 10am to 12noon There will be lovely freshly made pancakes, home baking, raffle and various stalls.

Tickets £3.

   Kilbarchan Beekeepers

Kilbarchan Steeple Hall, Steeple Square, Kilbarchan 7.30pm to 10pm Products of the Hive, Christine Matthews: You can come along and find out more about Honeybee husbandry and related topics.

THU

15TH F

EBRUARY

Outlook

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm S.S.A.F.A – the Armed Forces Charity.

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FRI

16TH F

EBRUARY

Glasgow Goes Green

Glasgow - Art School 1pm to 8pm A Festival promoting local and sustainable lifestyle. You will be able to find university societies and social enterprises engaging in activities that will give you new insight into living and loving a local life. Meet groups like Wood Recycling Glasgow, GU’s bike hub, beekeepers and even gamers for wellbeing. You can come and sew your ripped clothes back together, get your bikes fixed and eat rescued (but still delicious) food, all while listening to good music. There will be artists from dancers, to painters and musicians.

More info at https://www.facebook.com/ events/231249187417214/ or https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-goesgreen-tickets-42052942483

   Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Whist Drive

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm Light Supper - tickets £4.

FRI

16TH - S 17TH AT

FEBRUARY

Sweeney Todd - Carrick Players

Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre, 8 Steeple Square, Kilbarchan 7pm (Fri) & 1pm (Sat) The Carrick Players invite you to A Sketch, A Sandwich and A Swally when they present Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Tickets £10 (includes a drink and a sandwich) available from Bobbins or find The Carrick Players on Facebook.

SAT

17TH F

EBRUARY

Paisley Abbey Recitals

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley 12.30pm Cloister Café with baking from 10am Equale Trombones directed by Ronnie McNiven. £5 at the door

WED

21ST F

EBRUARY

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

WED

15

21ST F

EBRUARY

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society Winter Lecture

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm Our guest speaker is Mrs Carol Rowe, who will speak on her favourite subject of ‘Fruit and Vegetables at KILARDEN”.

The lecture is followed by refreshments and chat. Everyone welcome.

   Embroiderers’ Guild, Bridge of Weir Branch

Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 2pm Toni Hanley, the popular and renowned local textile artist and tutor makes a welcome return to our branch to inspire us with her talk on “Containers”. Members and visitors very welcome. Contact: fionna.p@ntlworld.com

SAT

24TH F

EBRUARY

Bardic Supper

Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock 7.30pm ClannGàidhlig will be holding their annual Bardic Supper (think Burns Supper, but with a different poet). Tickets are £15, which includes a 2-course meal. Places are limited and must be booked in advance - by e-mail on fios@clanngaidhlig. org, or by phoning Alasdair on 0780 591 8509. We are privileged to have as our speaker Eilidh Cormack, Mòd Gold Medallist. Her subject for our Bardic Supper will be “Niall ‘Gow’ Peutan agus Teàrlach a’ Phost: buaidh nan òran air coimhearsnachd”.

SAT

24TH F

EBRUARY

Swan Chat

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 1pm to 2pm Let’s talk swans! Get to grips with these elegant birds, feed them & find out some fun facts. For more information tel: 01505 842882

Tartan Walk

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 11am A Scottish themed singsong around Lochwinnoch. Wear your ‘see you Jimmy’ hat! Allow 2 hrs, less if it is wet! For more information tel: 01505 842882

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24TH - S 25TH UN

FEBRUARY

RYA Powerboat Level 2

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 9am to 4pm A comprehensive course to enable you to gain your powerboat licence. Practical on the water activities with overnight homework! For more information look online and book ASAP. £150

SUN

25TH F

EBRUARY

Yearn Stane Project – Woodland Management

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen Road near Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB 1pm to 3.30pm You’ll need waterproof clothing, stout footwear and a packed lunch. Tools and gloves will be provided. Please contact us to notify your interest.

Contact: Peter Livingstone : peter@eadha.co.uk : 07968745197 www.eadha.co.uk : facebook: Eadha Enterprises : twitter: eadhaaspen

SUN

25TH F

EBRUARY

Corlic Hill Guided Walk

Old Largs Road, up from Whinhill Golf Course 10.30am Check out the ironage round houses on this 10km walk with the Rangers, come dressed for hill walking. Allow 3-4 hrs. For more information book your place online or tel 01475 521458. Free

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MON

26TH F

EBRUARY

Stargazing Evening

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 7pm to 9pm An astronomical exploration with Coats Observatory Staff For more information look and book online or tel 01505 842882

THU

1ST M

ARCH

St Columba’s School Open Day

St Columba’s School, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm 9am to 3pm Junior School, Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm PA13 4EQ and Senior School, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm PA13 4AU There is no better way to experience the true atmosphere of St Columba’s School than to come and see it for yourself. Open Day provides the perfect opportunity for prospective and current families to see our Early Years, Junior and Senior Schools in action. Please do come along from 9am-3pm and let our pupils show you what makes St Columba’s so special. www.st-columbas.org

FRI

2ND M

ARCH

Local Lepidoptera - Some Butterflies and Moths of Glasgow

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 7.30pm Richard Sutcliffe will deliver an illustrated talk entitled’ Local Lepidoptera - Some Butterflies and Moths of the Glasgow area’. All welcome.

FRI

2ND M

ARCH

Carrick Nights - Kentigern Quartet + Maria Wilson and Accompanist

Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 8pm Works by Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Britten and Ravel. Recent performances include Glasgow cathedral, St Mary’s Cathedral, the BBC Club at City Halls, Renfield St Stephen’s, and the Drake Chamber Series in Glasgow. Come along and enjoy a varied selection of music. Ticket Prices (single concert): Adults £12, Children/ Student £5. Call 01505 229597 or e mail thecarrickcentre@gmail.com

SAT

3RD M

ARCH

Curry and Quiz Night

Scout Hall, Kilmacolm 7.30pm Tickets £10 which includes your curry.

There will be a bar on the night selling beer, wine, spirits, prosecco and soft drinks. There will be great food, quizzing, music and maybe even some dancing! We always appreciate the support. Money raised goes to help support our local scouts activities, Kilmacolm Scouts.

Doors open at 7pm.

SUN

4TH M

ARCH

Concert by Paisley Abbey Choir

Paisley Abbey, Paisley 7.30pm Director George McPhee, Orchestra led by Mark Wilson. Tickets available from the Abbey Shop or at the door 0141 889 7654 info@paisleyabbey.org.uk www. paisleyabbey.org.uk £15 (£5 student)

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NEVER MISS A THING!

We keep an archive of all the featured blogs and you can view the current or old issues at advertizer.co.uk

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Carrick Nights All concerts will take place in the Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston commencing at 8.00pm.

EVERY

MONDAY

2ND WEDNESDAY MONTHLY

Lochwinnoch Community Walk

Inverclyde Carers Outreach

This event will not take place on public holidays.

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

The Cross, Lochwinnoch 10.30am

FitSteps with Jennifer Quarrier’s Village, 6:30pm

Tel: 07709 340675 for further information

Pilates Class

Friday 2nd February 2018 Alison McNeill & Sacha Savaloni

2ND THURSDAY MONTHLY Sòlas Bereavement Support Group

Alison (soprano) and Sacha (guitar) perform a variety of Spanish, Latin American, French, Italian, Contemporary and Scots Song repertoire. They have performed recitals in Spain and throughout Scotland at various prestigious events and are passionate about expanding and enriching the repertoire for voice and guitar and transcribe a lot of music for their performances.

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 11am - 2pm

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm. 2pm - 4pm.

Friday 2nd March 2018

For more information or to book a place call Katie on 07972 474965

3RD FRIDAY MONTHLY

Kentigern Quartet + Maria Wilson and Accompanist

Gryffe Voices Community Choir

Hearing Aid Clinic

Join us to sing pop, rock, folk, show tunes, gospel.

Contact gryffevoices@gmail.com

Hearing aid batteries and hearing aid checks.

Kilellan Halls Houston 6.15 - 7.15 & 7.30 - 8.30.

Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir 8pm to 9.45pm

The Bridge, Bridge of Weir 1 - 2pm

EVERY TUESDAY

2ND SATURDAY MONTHLY ‘Brunch & Browse’

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.

Singing for Wellbeing

Bishopton Community Centre 6pm - 7.15pm A fun, no pressure choir singing feel good songs.

EVERY

WEDNESDAY

Knitting Group

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon

Knitters of all levels welcome!

Skinny Minnies

St Fillan’s Hall, Kilmacolm 10am - 2pm

Soups, baking, tea, coffee, books & lots of stalls

LAST FRIDAY MONTHLY TheTerrace St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Hall

Soups, sandwiches, tea/coffee, biscuits. £4.

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

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

Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm - 8pm

For a healthier, slimmer, more energetic you!

EVERY THURSDAY

Violinists Barbara Downie and Feargus Hetherington, violist Nicola Boag and cellist Jessica Kerr bring their collective experience in chamber music, working at home and internationally with leading British Orchestras and as educators to this ensemble. Their repertoire includes works by Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Britten and Ravel. Recent performances include Glasgow cathedral, St Mary’s Cathedral, the BBC Club at City Halls, Renfield St Stephen’s, and the Drake Chamber Series in Glasgow.

Maria Wilson (soprano) runs Starlight Youth Music Theatre group in Paisley.

Tonight is her night to perform, come along and enjoy a varied selection of music.

Ticket Prices (single concert): Adults £12, Children/Student £5.

Option to have a meal in our Café at 6.30pm prior to the concerts, but early booking recommended as space is limited. (2 courses £15 – BYOB) Should you wish more information or to request tickets please call 01505 229597 or e mail thecarrickcentre@gmail.com We are grateful to Enterprise Music Scotland , through funding provided by Creative Scotland, for their award of a grant to help make these Concerts a reality.

Weekly Volunteer Group

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 3.30pm

Conser vation Volunteers - adult group.

Newcomers always welcome.

EVERY

FRIDAY

Singing for Wellbeing

Bishopton Community Centre 2pm - 3.15pm A fun, no pressure choir singing feel good songs.

EVERY

SATURDAY

Weekly Volunteer Group

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm

Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers always welcome.

EVERY

SUNDAY

Weekly Volunteer Group

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon

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

10am - 2pm Tel: 01655 770217

2ND SUN Kip Marina, Inverkip 11am - 4pm www.kipmarina.co.uk

Youth Volunteer Group - age 14 - 18 years.

Newcomers always welcome.

Co-op Car Park 10am – 11.45am

All volunteers welcome and all equipment supplied.

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

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.

regular updates @GryffeAds

Visit our shop and website to view our extensive range of fairly traded goods with UK wide delivery.

HAMPERS - FOOD - GIFTS - CARDS TOYS - JEWELLERY - ACCESSORIES

Shop Fair Trade

instore: 7 Gauze Street, Paisley open: 10am-4pm Tuesday – Saturday (open Mondays @ Christmas)

online: www.rainbowturtle.org.uk contact tel: 0141 887 1881 email: info@rainbowturtle.org.uk

deadline date for our march issue - Friday 14-21 NEW WHATS ON_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 18

Do YOU enjoy singing?

Come and sing with us for our 2018 concert?

Would you like to sing some of the great classical choral works with an orchestra and professional soloists?

Find it difficult to commit to a full year season in a choir?

TCMC might be just the thing for you!

We rehearse from January to March each year and perform a concert with an orchestra and professionals from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Our past repertoire includes the wonderful requiems by Verdi, Mozart and Brahms

Rehearsals take place in the hall of Coats Memorial Church on Tuesdays at 7.30pm

2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAY Cargill Hall 7 - 9.15pm

Musical Director Andrew Nunn

Rehearsals are hard work but fun and led by the very talented Andrew Nunn, our musical director.

Houston Litter Crew

BoW Senior Citizens Club

Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society

This year we will again be performing in the wonderful surroundings of Paisley Abbey.

OUR PROGRAMME

CONCERT

Mozart - Mass in C minor

our concert will be on Sunday 18th March 20 I8 at Paisley Abbey

Handel-Coronation Anthems (Zadok the Priest & The King shall rejoice)

Want to join us? Interested in coming to a concert? Want more information or to join our mailing list?

Phone: 01505 816110 Mob: 07990 975970 Email: coatschoral@btintenet. com Visit our web site: www.thomascoatschoral.org.uk www.facebook.com/ coatschoral www.thomascoatschoral.org.uk a charity registered in Scotland SC003075

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Absolutely Wonderful!

Spinning Yarns Around the World at Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre with storytellers Anne Pitcher, Michael Kerins and Maori, Joe Harawira. 27th October

That was the verdict on Kilbarchan’s first storytelling evening “Spinning Yarns around the World” at the Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre with a trio of talented tale weavers - Maori storyteller Joe Harawira, international multi-award winning Scotsman Michael Kerins and talented local teller Anne Pitcher. Due to ill health, Celtic harpist Alissa Murray was unable to be there, instead Joe Harawira wove the magic of both Maori and world music and song around the audience as well as telling some wonderful Maori stories. The event was part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival on Tour and was a great success. Audience members commented about the variety and contrast of the storytellers “These stories were all so rich and wonderfully told. Travelling the world is a great theme that shows how storytelling is universal. I am a New Zealander, so of course Joe Harawira’s stories resonated but equally so did the Japanese, Russian, Italian and Scottish stories.” “Great combination of variety. Loved the suspense and the punch lines. The songs were very moving. Rapport with the audience was very good.” “Such a glorious range of stories – bridging cultures. Well done!”

A Maori New Zealander, Joe Harawira, has been described as “The most travelled and experienced Maori storyteller in the world”, and was one of the guest international storytellers at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. He was also a keynote speaker at the first ever “Global Gathering” of storytellers held in Edinburgh and then came to Kilbarchan Primary School for the day at the invitation of local teller Anne Pitcher. All the school pupils and Community Nursery children were enthralled with Joe’s Maori stories, songs and dances. The whole school had engaged in exploring Maori culture prior to his visit and many projects were ignited by their experience of meeting Joe at their school. Links are being Joe Harawria at Kilbarchan Primary formed between Newmarket Primary School explaining about his Maori School in New Zealand’s North Island tattoos ‘Ta Moko’. October 26th and Kilbarchan, with the hope of developing understanding between the two cultures.

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Pre Festival Sunday 11th: Come & Try Lindy Hopping Bowling Club, 1 to 3pm £5, book in advance

Festival starts Tuesday 13th: Small Fezzes Concert ‘ANNIE’S SONG’ McKillop Hall (bar), 7.30pm Free Donations to Corseford School

Wednesday 14th: Official Opening Lochwinnoch Library (invitation only), 7pm Free, Charity St Vincent’s Hospice

Thursday 15th: Christopher Brookmyre McKillop Hall, 7.30pm £4/£5.50

Friday 16th: A Buddy Good Laugh McKillop Hall 7.30pm £10/£8 Bar and raffle Photography Exhibition Opening 23 Main St (invitation only), 7pm to 9pm Free entry, donations to St Vincent’s Billy Hampson Corner Bar 9pm Pub night

Saturday 17th: Photography Exhibition 23 & 37 Main Street, 10am to 5pm, Free entry, donations to St Vincent’s Craft Fair McKillop Hall1 to 4pm Free entry Susie Lamont’s Pupil Concert Lochwinnoch Parish Church 4pm - 6pm Free entry, donations to the Red Cross Laura McDonald & Rose Room McKillop Hall, 7.30pm £10/£8 Bar and Raffle Sean’s Session Corner Bar, 9pm, Pub night

Sunday 18th: Photography Exhibition 23 & 37 Main Street, 1pm - 4pm, Free entry, donations to St Vincent’s Sing for St Vincent’s LCS Lochwinnoch Parish Church, 2pm - 4pm, Donations, Everyone welcome Come & Try Samba Drumming Percussion Calder Church, 2pm & 3pm £5 adult £3 children RSNO Brass Quintet Matthew McAllister Lochwinnoch Parish Church, 7.30pm, £4/£5.50

‘

Monday 19th: Badger the Mystical Mutt Author Event Lochwinnoch Primary School Accordion Orchestra & Gospel Choir McKillop Hall, 7.30pm £4/£5.50

Tuesday 20th: Witches’ Brew McKillop Hall, 11am Free entry Rock Choir & Witches’ Brew Lochwinnoch Parish Church, 7.30pm £4/£5.50

Wednesday 21st: Glasgow Theatre Guilds Musicality Lochwinnoch Parish Church, 7.30pm £4/£5.50

Thursday 22nd: Calder Drama Society McKillop Hall 7.30pm £4/£6 bar Jammin’ at The Junction £20.95 and £24.95

Friday 23rd: Calder Drama Society McKillop Hall, 7.30pm £4/£6 bar Jammin’ at The Junction £20.95 and £24.95 Southpaw Three Churches, 9pm

Saturday 24th: Corinne Hutton McKillop Hall, 10.30am £4/£5.50 Craft Fair McKillop Hall, 1 to 4pm, Free entry, tea &coffee Krafty Kids McKillop, 1 to 4pm £3 Drop in Rock Night ‘Howlin’ Radio’ & Willie Gamble McKillop Hall, 7.30pm £4/£6 Bar and raffle Graham McIver Brown Bull, 9pm Pub night

Sunday 25th: Come & Try Pottery McKillop, 10am to 4pm £5 book in advance Come & Try Felting McKillop, 10.30am - 12.30pm £5 book in advance Mixed instrument Workshop McKillop, 10.30am - 12.30pm £5 book in advance Ukulele Workshop McKillop, 1pm 3pm £5 book in advance Arts Festival Finale Concert Lochwinnoch Parish Church, 7.30pm £4/£6

deadline date for our march issue - Friday 14-21 NEW WHATS ON_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 20

Calder Drama Society

Thursday 22nd and 23rd March Calder Drama Society Comedy ‘Lady Loversley’s Charter’ by our own Felix Lando (John Dolan)! McKillop Hall 7.30pm £4/£6 bar/raffle Sponsored by Miller Biofuels

It is the year 1878. Constance‘s honeymoon to Lord Clifford ends abruptly when they return home prematurely to Murkleston Hall. Immediately on their return Clifford receives orders to join his military unit which is destined to fight in South Africa. Clifford’s closest friend Dr. Henry Livingstone is in love with Constance, but since her marriage she has spurned his advances.

One day she is down by the river and falls in, fortunately being rescued by Mellors, the new gamekeeper and is immediately attracted to him. Shortly after this, there is an investigation which could lead to fraud charges being brought against her. Repair work on the Murkleston House which seems to have been going on interminably uncovers an age old parchment which pertains to a Charter which could solve Constance’s financial problems.

There is also a priceless pendant which has gone missing and only Aunt Matilda knows of its whereabouts but unfortunately she cannot tell because she is slightly dead. Enter a Medium, who is asked to locate the missing pendant which all builds up to a thrilling and surprise ending.

16th February - You don’t want to miss it!!

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Renfrewshire unveils dates for 2018 events programme Renfrewshire 2018 Major Events!

Paisley and Renfrewshire are in line for another bumper year of major events – after dates were revealed for the 2018 programme.

Selected highlights of the 2018 events programme are:

Get Your Dancing Shoes On The OIR Dance Group meet on a Monday at 1.30pm in the Clark Memorial Hall, Largs. Dancing consists of Ballroom, Sequence, Old Time and Scottish.

All new members are made welcome, so dust off your old dance shoes and come along and join us, come alone or bring a partner.

Contact: Bill Alexander 01475 522043 or Archie Adams 01475 649008.

• The Monte Carlo Classic Rally will kick off the new year with up to 80 vintage vehicles expected to leave for France in the only UK start leg of the international event [31 Jan] • Paisley Food Festival will return as a two-day event for the first time on Friday and Saturday 27 and 28 April, running alongside 4-day Renfrewshire CAMRA’s Paisley Beer Festival [25/28 April] •

The

British

Pipe Band Championships come once again to St James Playing Fields [19 May]

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “With bigger events in the 2018 programme it is shaping up to be the best year yet.”

• Sma’ Shot Day – one of the world’s o l d e s t workers festivals – and the multi art form Weave programme will take over Paisley town centre [7/8 July] • A massive outdoor production of Pagliacci by Scottish Opera comes to Seedhill Playing Fields this July, with members of the community joining the chorus alongside professional singers [26 – 29 July] • Two cultural highlights not to be missed this autumn: September sees the return of Renfrewshire Doors Open weekend, followed by the area’s flagship arts festival The Spree in October [15/16 Sept] [12/21 Oct] • Winter brings the popular Paisley Halloween Festival followed by the town’s explosive Fireworks extravaganza!

[26/27 Oct] [3 Nov]

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Financial Blog

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd

Saving Lifetime Allowance Tax by using the “small pots” rules The Government will tax you if they think your pension benefits are too generous. This tax is based on your overall pension wealth and is known as the Pension Lifetime Allowance or LTA. It particularly affects those with a large final salary pension and/or where your pension benefits exceed £1Million (£1,030,000 from April 2018). The tax is very punitive at 55% tax on the excess above the LTA (or 25% if you take benefits as income, which is then subject to income tax).

However, there is a little-known quirk in the pension legislation that can help you to avoid or reduce the LTA tax you pay. It’s called the “small pots” rule and exploits the fact that small pension pots can be taken without the value being tested against the LTA. This is not available if you have Fixed Protection.

Let’s use an example Mary is 60 and has a final salary pension with an LTA value of £1,030,000 and a small personal pension fund of £30,000 with an insurance company.

She is therefore over the LTA and would suffer a tax charge of 55% on the £30,000 excess amount. Using the small pots rule she could do the following; • Split the £30,000 into 3 small pension pots of £10,000 each • She can draw benefits from the 3 small pots and avoid being tested against the LTA • This leaves her LTA allowance of 100% intact and when she takes her final salary benefits she will be within the allowance and avoid paying any LTA tax • By using the small pots rules, she has saved 55% of £30,000 = £16,500 saved in tax.

So, if you are close to the LTA or over it with an undrawn pension fund, you be able to benefit from this option.

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 HYPERLINK “mailto:info@affluentfp.co.uk”info@affluentfp.co.uk. Alternatively, pop into the Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. HYPERLINK “http://www.affluentfp.co.uk”www.affluentfp.co.uk

IT Blog

with Colin Fyfe of Colcom

The recently discovered machine processor vulnerability named Meltdown and its cousin Spectre have been in the news. Discovered in June last year, the bugs relate to process developed back in the in the 90’s that has remained a core function of modern computing and data processing.

Combined these bugs affect virtually every modern computer, including smartphones, tablets and PCs from all vendors and running almost any operating system. Such is the disruption that these vulnerabilities could potentially wreak that Microsoft, Apple and other software and hardware manufacturers are doubling down on fault-fixes and patches to address the issue and the related ripples that will inevitably occur as a result.

You cannot beat a good analogy, I was looking for one online relating to this fault - that could best sum up the machine process to me. I liked this tweet.

“You know how we finish each other’s...”

“Sandwiches?”

“No, sentences. But you guessed ‘sandwiches’ and it was in your mind for an instant. And it was a password. And someone stole it while it was there, fleeting.”

“Oh, that IS bad.” (@shanselman) These bugs underline the necessity to update your computers, whether they be iPhones, Windows based laptops or Android mobiles. Before long, hacker’s toolkits will contain the tools to manipulate these flaws.

This comes at a time when updates are already giving out all sorts of grief so remember, wherever you work; be kind to your IT department, they didn’t ask for this!

NEW YEAR - NEW BUSINESS! Want to start a business but not sure where to turn or how to do it?

Business Gateway Renfrewshire can give you practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland. Contact us on 0141 530 2406 or on Facebook www.facebook.com/bgrenfrewshire/, or visit the website at www.yourbusinessgateway.co.uk

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the advertizer

Orchard Flooring 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

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE Nomination for Rotary Award The Gryffe Valley Rotary Club’s nomination of Olivia Giles OBE for a Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Community Champion Award has been endorsed by the West of Scotland District 1230 and submitted to the national judges.

Olivia, originally from Brookfield, who is a quadruple amputee as a consequence of meningitis, recognised the desperate plight of similarly disabled people in Africa where lack of mobility restricts access to education and employment and leads to social exclusion. In 2008 she set up a charity - “500 miles” - to help amputees in Malawi and Zambia be fitted with artificial limbs.

She works unpaid and has raised more than £2.5M to date; recruited and trained staff at three locations; and overseen growth. Through Olivia’s determined efforts, already more than 6000 patients have been given their mobility and currently 150 patients/month are being treated!

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Annual Burns Supper 2018 The Gryffe Valley Rotary Club 2018 event, held at the River Inn, was a great success and raised almost £3,000 for Rotary’s charity work. The Haggis was piped in by Rotarian Ron Aitchison and addressed with great aplomb by Past President Ian Jackson.

The company enjoyed a fine meal including a Haggis starter and a main course of Braised Shoulder of Beef.

Alan Gordon provided both the Immortal Memory and a superb rendition of Tam O’Shanter.

Alastair Patrick gave a very amusing Toast to the Lassies and Morag McIntosh was his equal in her response.

The musical entertainment was once again Amy Lewis and Alan Macdougall and very well received.

President-elect Andrew Macleman thanked Jason and his staff at the River Inn for their excellent service, Past President Alan Bowie for his chairing of the event, the speakers and entertainers and, last but not least, those present for braving the weather and for their generosity.

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Legal Blog

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by Isabella McKerrow, Affinity Family Law

Why Every Adult Should Have A Power Of Attorney As we head towards old age and face the prospect of becoming mentally and physical infirm, it is sensible to have a Power of Attorney “POA” in place. However, an adult could become physically or mentally infirm at any age as a result of illness or trauma. Every adult should consider having a POA in place, given they are inexpensive and unlike a will do not have to be reviewed every few years.

A POA can ensure that the financial affairs and personal welfare of the adult will be looked after by someone they trust. An adult who is mentally capable may grant a POA for various purposes and for however long. There are two types: Continuing, relating to property and assets or financial affairs of the granter. This can be used at any time for convenience and remains effective on subsequent incapacity: Welfare, relating to personal welfare decisions ensuring the family are involved and preventing the Local Authority making decisions if the granter becomes incapable. It can be stipulated that welfare powers are not granted unless a GP certifies the adult mentally incapable. A combined POA can be granted with both continuing and welfare powers.

The advantages of having a POA are that it enables speedy and appropriate intervention. It avoids the adult’s family the problems that arise when an individual loses capacity such as it being impossible to manage their financial/ business affairs or deal with their property. The welfare POA prevents the Local Authority moving an incapable adult into a care home without the family’s consent. Granting a POA also avoids the lengthy, complicated and expensive process of applying to court for a Guardianship Order, which may only grant limited powers and may have to be renewed by further expensive court applications every three years.

When should I register for VAT? You must register for VAT with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if your business’ VAT taxable turnover is more than £85,000.

When you register, you’ll be sent a VAT registration certificate. This confirms: •

your VAT number

•

when to submit your first VAT Return and payment

•

your ‘effective date of registration’ - this is the date you went over the threshold, or the date you asked to register if it was voluntary

You can register voluntarily if your turnover is less than £85,000, unless everything you sell is exempt. You’ll have certain responsibilities if you register for VAT. From the effective date of registration you must charge the right amount of VAT, pay any VAT due to HMRC, submit VAT Returns and keep VAT records and a VAT account.

You can also reclaim the VAT you’ve paid on certain purchases made before you registered.

While you wait for registration, you can’t charge or show VAT on your invoices until you get your VAT number. However, you’ll still have to pay the VAT to HMRC for this period.

You should increase your prices to allow for this and tell your customers why. Once you’ve got your VAT number you can then reissue the invoices showing the VAT. You should get a VAT registration certificate within 14 working days, though it can take longer. It’s sent either to your VAT online account or by post - if an agent registers you or you can’t register online.

You need to provide details like your turnover, business activity and bank details. Your registration date is known as your ‘effective date of registration’. You’ll have to pay HMRC any VAT due from this date.

You don’t need to authorise an agent to register you for VAT. https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration

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LOCAL

history

The Smeall Family Bible One of the Forum's most interesting recent enquiries came from Barbara Triplett-Decrease from Michigan. What followed was truly remarkable.

Barbara had acquired an old family Bible, printed by Mark Baskett in 1763, with births and marriages of a Paisley family surnamed Smeall / Smail. The earliest entry was the birth of James Smeall on 23rd March 1761. James was the eldest of a family of eight children born between 1761 and 1783. A later family member, Thomas Smeall, married Jane Watson in Thread Street, Paisley, in 1820. Their son, Robert Smeall, born in Paisley in 1830, emigrated to America and married Sarah Lawson (b 1845) in Stonnington, Connecticut, in 1866. The last of the many entries in the Bible is the birth of Thomas and Jane’s third child in Stonnington in 1873.

The Bible itself, being a Baskett Bible, is of some historical significance. The Baskett family were printers to the King John Baskett, said to be ‘the greatest monopolist of Bibles that ever lived’, set up in business in Oxford in 1713.

His earliest published Bible sells today for up to £40,000. After John’s death in 1742, his sons Thomas and Richard took over the business. In 1761, his grandson, Mark, continued business until 1769 when he sold out to another printer. Baskett Bibles were published in Oxford, London and for a short time in Edinburgh.

Barbara had attempted to find descendants of the Smeall family in Canada and U.S.A., without success. Because the family could not be traced, she was keen that the Bible should be returned to Paisley and she sent it to the Forum. One of our members, Peter Crawford, contacted Paisley Heritage Centre staff, who were keen to accept the Bible and offered to have it rebound. On 19th September, 2016, Barbara visited Paisley and, at a ceremony held in Paisley Heritage Centre, she formally presented the Bible to Provost Anne Hall. The beautifully rebound Bible is now an item in Renfrewshire Archives collection. © 2018 Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum The Forum’s next archaeology lecture will take place in the Shawl Gallery in Paisley Museum at 7.30 pm on Thursday, 8th February. Our speaker is Bob Will of GUARD Archaeology. His topic is the Recent Archaeological Investigations at the Site of Partick Castle. Visitors are most welcome to attend.

The Johnstone History Society

LEAP Thermal Imaging detects where you're losing heat in your home Just where is the heat escaping from in your home?

How can you pin point this heat loss? Contact the LEAP energy team at energy@myleapproject. org for impartial advice and information on home heat loss and how it’s best dealt with, or to book your home energy check in February, call LEAP on 01501 612 034/ 842 530. Make your home warmer and cosier this winter.

Switch and save in 2018 Feeling the pinch with increasing energy costs over the winter?

How’s about considering ways to reduce your home energy bills?

Switching your energy supplier for your home or business could save you up to £260 a year! Our LEAP team will give you impartial advice and information to save you hassle, time, effort and money. Call us on 01505 842 530/ 612 034 or email energy@myleapproject.org. We can also arrange for you to pop into a LEAP office with your energy bills to find out more about your home energy usage. If you have recently switched to a new energy supplier, let us know what you aim to save on your home energy bills and how the process was for you.

Join LEAP Car Club now and receive £25 worth of fee driving LEAP Car Club offers convenient, 24/7, not-forprofit community car hire and can help you cut the costs of driving. Cars can be hired for as little as an hour or for as long as you want. The Car Club has helped members by allowing them to sell additional cars or to not have to buy one. What our members say: “Reliable cars there when I need them.”

“For someone who does not own a car it's very useful to have access to a car at any time for short periods.”

“It is so easy to book online. Great value for money too.”

To find out more contact Car Club Coordinator Mike Callaghan T: 01505 842530 E: mike@myleapproject.org

The Johnstone History Society’s February meeting will take place on 13th in the Masonic Hall Collier Street at 7.30pm. Our speaker will be Judith Bowers from Glasgow Museums and her talk will be on Britannia Panopticon this should be a very interesting evening. Our January meeting was very good and we all learned a lot about how whisky was first distilled. Despite seasonal weather we had very good attendance of members and visitors who were all made very welcome .

The Museum continues to open Wednesday Friday and Saturday between 10.30am and 4pm. We stock a wide range of books and publications and still have a few of the Johnstone calanders for sale at £7. Just added to our books is a Johnstone Guide compiled by the Business Consortium and this can be obtained free of charge. Any of the other books can be purchased online at johnstonehistory.org and may be paid for via PayPal.

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Rotary Club of Gryffe Valley Speaker Meetings At The River Inn Wednesday 10th January - Sharon Kane, CEO of Funding Neuro, guest of Don Robb, spoke about the work of the Glasgow-based charity Funding Neuro (www.fundingneurocom).

The charity was founded by Bryn Williams (aka Wobbly Williams) who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2007. It funds neurological research and has focussed on a novel delivery system, catheter-based and fitted using a software guided robot, which pierces the blood/brain barrier and allows medication to be delivered exactly to where it is needed in the brain. Trial results are very promising for Parkinson’s Disease and the possibilities for treating all neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, MS and brain tumours (DIPG and Glioblastoma) are remarkable. Sharon’s excellent talk was well illustrated by her slides and by a video which showed the tremendous improvement in four Parkinson’s patients after treatment. Members asked numerous questions and many were convinced that this is a charity they would like to support. Stop press: At its meeting on 17th January the club decided that Funding Neuro will be the beneficiary of the proceeds from the 2018 Gryffe Valley 10K Run! Wednesday 17th January - Andrew McMillan, guest of Iain Robertson, spoke on “Sport and Refereeing”. Andrew was born in Paisley and a former policeman. His interests include bowling and Burns. He has been an amateur referee for 30 years, winning many awards, including Honorary Membership of Paisley/ Renfrewshire referees. Taking full advantage of his background, Andrew was able to give a very interesting and amusing talk peppered with numerous funny anecdotes and facts about the rules of football which are actually set by a board (the IFAB) on which the home nations’ football associations (England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland) have four places and FIFA have four.

EVENT PLANNER The following events have been confirmed:

Bridge of Weir Guides get their gloves on for winter What can you do with your socks to keep you warmer this winter? Well, wear a couple of pairs for a start on a cold winter’s morning. But the Guides from 1st Bridge of Weir group, went a step further and upcycled their spare socks to create fingerless gloves to keep their hands warm too! For more information on upcycling, energy saving and waste reduction workshops, contact LEAP at info@myleapproject.org or call us on 01505 612034/ 842530 to book a workshop for your group.

Wednesday 24th January: Speaker Meeting at the River Inn - David Atkinson on “PR, Communications and Social Media” Wednesday 14th February: Valentines Dinner at the River Inn for members and partners.

Monday 12th March: Primary School Quiz. Parents and friends welcome.

Sunday 15th April: Charity Musical Lunch at St Columba’s school. Tickets from Club members.

Sunday 29th April: Annual 10K run. Save the date and spread the word!

Saturday 19th May: Rotary Charity Car Wash at Beaton Bros Funeral Directors

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Rescue Centres

Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue › 01505 502415 › www.hessilhead.org.uk Cat Protection › 0141 779 3341 › www.cats.org.uk/glasgowac Dogs Trust Glasgow › 0141 773 5130 › www.dogstrust.org.uk Scottish SPCA › 0141 882 1688 › www.scottishspca.org These centres are always on the lookout for donations and fundraising. If you can help, please get in touch with any of the centres above.

Give a Dog a Bone opens new permanent home The Glasgow charity which helps unite rescue dogs with elderly owners opened a new permanent base in the south side of the city on the 22nd January, that will create more opportunities in terms of the work they can do.

Give a Dog a Bone was first started in November 2013 and to date has found new homes for nearly 200 dogs. The charity, founded by Louise Russell, also provides financial support for the new owners, many of whom want companionship but are worried about the cost.

Give a Dog a Bone has enjoyed incredible successes in its first four years and the work carried out has seen Louise awarded the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award and the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s ‘Community Award’.

Among the new projects planned at their permanent home are a permanent pet food bank for people who are struggling to feed their dog, sessions for seniors with an occupational therapist, and yoga for seniors as well. They are also planning regular ‘meet the rescue’ events, where charities who have dogs up for adoption can bring them in.

Give a Dog a Bone relies on your donations and needs your support to help run their new base in the south side when it opens.

To donate and find out more about the charity’s work, visit their website http://www.giveadogabone.net/

Pet Blog

by PetVets

Glasgow’s animals need blankets The Scottish SPCA is appealing to animal lovers in Glasgow to donate blankets for animals in their Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

They ask that people do not donate old duvets or pillows as the animals can easily tear these apart.

Blankets can be handed anytime between 10am and 4pm Wednesday to Monday into the centre which is located at 125 Kinnell Avenue, Cardonald, Glasgow G52 3RY.

‘carrier’ passing the infection on to others.

Cats are infected for life and may suffer flare ups after stress or illness.

3. Feline Calicivirus (cat flu)

Why Do We Vaccinate Cats?

An air-borne virus. Symptoms include fever, inappetance, discharge from the nose/eyes, sneezing and severe mouth ulcers. More severe strains can lead to pneumonia. Cats that recover can become carriers

Vaccinations protect against infectious diseases which can be fatal.

A virus spread by saliva and nasal secretions. It can also be transmitted to kittens via milk.

Symptoms include poor body condition, poor coat, anorexia, recurrent infections, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), diarrhoea and jaundice. Infection can also result in leukaemia and anaemia or lymphoma.

Vaccinations protect your cat against: 1. Feline Panleukopenia Virus A virus spread through faeces and urine. It can survive in the environment for a prolonged period. Symptoms include lethargy, inappetance, fever, seizures, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is frequently fatal.

This virus can also spread to the foetus in pregnant cats and can cause abortion or damage to the brain of the kittens.

2. Feline Herpesvirus (cat flu) Spread by discharge from the nose, eyes and saliva of an infected cat.

The virus can also survive in the environment. Symptoms include fever, sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, conjunctivitis, ulcers on the surface of the eye and/or on the tongue, abortion in pregnant cats.

An infected cat may not show any outward sign of illness but can act as a

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4. Feline Leukaemia virus

Kittens can start their vaccinations from 9 weeks old, with a second vaccination 3-4 weeks later. Kittens should not mix with other, potentially unvaccinated, cats until their primary vaccine course is complete.

Booster vaccinations are required every year.

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LOST PETS?

Re-homing Pets

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

Can you offer a home to any of our featured pets?

info@advertizer.co.uk

Ian - 8 y/o male cat Ian has come into the branch through no fault of his own, and is looking to find his “forever” family. He will be timid and shy for the first few days in his new home, but once settled, is a friendly, curious cat who purrs away happily when being petted and made a fuss of. He loves being brushed and enjoys playtime. Ian is looking for an adult Ian family that has no children or other pets so he can be spoiled.

Kylo - 2 y/o male domestic short-hair Kylo is a bit shy at first but once he relaxes he is a wee darling. Kylo needs access to a garden away from a busy road and could possibly be homed with other pets and older children only.

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We can also put updates on our website & Facebook. There is no charge for this service!

Looking for a new career?

Would you like to work from home with hours to suit you? Do you love dogs?

Kylo

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

Stuart - male Guinea Pig Stuart is a bit of a shy boy who was found as a stray and is now looking for his forever home. He isn’t used to being handled much Stuart so he will need a new owner who will have the time and patience to allow him to come out of his shell. As Stuart is a long haired guinea pig he will require regular grooming to prevent his hair from matting and getting dirty. Stuart could be rehomed with other male guinea pigs providing he gets on well with them and is introduced to them in the correct way.

Noella - female Crossbreed

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Noella

Then this is a great opportunity to buy an established and extremely successful home based business with a proven healthy annual turnover.

The Barking Mad franchise in this area is for sale.

At Barking Mad we arrange for dogs to stay with very special host families while their owners are away on holiday.

Dog, customer and host are happy which makes a very positive and satisfying work day.

For more information, contact Faye Carruthers at Barking Mad on 07734 942366 or 01505 690391.

Local Animal Rescue appeals for help

Noella is a gorgeous girl who was found as a stray and is now looking for her forever home. She is full of character and a joy to be around. Noella likes to have a good nosy at whatever you are up to and is always after some treats or veg.

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

Chip - 2 to 5 y/o male Lakeland Terrier Chip is a typical wee terrier who isn’t a little lap dog. He loves to be on the go, playing with toys and exploring. He would benefit from living in a quiet home with few visitors. Chip can live with people aged 16 years and over and needs his own Chip secure garden to practice his training in. Chip needs an owner who is experienced with terriers and who is around for most of the day initially but he can be left for a few hours and is house trained.

Chip needs to be the only dog in the home and cannot live with cats.

Chip needs a few meets at the centre to build a relationship before going to his new home.

Tipsy - 2 to 5 y/o female English Springer Spaniel Tipsy would like to have someone around for most of the day to build a relationship and assist with any training needs. Tipsy can live in a home with children Tipsy over the age of 16 years. She must live with another dog as having another dog in the home lets her come out of her shell.

She could not live with cats though. We would prefer an active home that have experience with spaniels. A quieter home would be best suited to her to let her settle. Tipsy would love a garden to play in so we are looking for a home with a secure private garden and a 5ft fence.

There is a rescue centre at Mid Gavin in Howwood which takes care of a variety of animals. Currently they care for 30 horses, most of which have been abandoned or are unrideable, along with a number of cats, dogs and rabbits.

However, all this comes at a cost in both time and money. The charity is looking for help from volunteers giving their time, and for donations to pay for food an vet bills. Volunteers can help with the general day to day tasks, but they are also looking for people who can carry out maintenance work, along with fundraising and event promotions.

The charity doesn’t need people experienced with horses particularly enthusiasm is key and supporters can help however they can. Those living further afield can sponsor an animal.

There will be a number of fundraising events coming up and anyone who would like to get involved should contact the charity at animalrescueglasgow@gmail.com or visit the facebook page at facebook.com/ASARCharity/

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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the advertizer Touch of Frost by Ronnie Logan Gryffe Camera Club

Woodland February is the month for Snowdrops. Take a stroll through the forest, especially down Paradise Path. The snowdrops cover the forest floor.

There are two species of snowdrop that grow here, Galanthus Nivalis and Galanthus Nivalis ’Flore Pleno’.

Garden Dotted along the front of the border are various types of snowdrop (Galanthus) and snowflake (Leucojum). Another highlight seen again at intervals along the front of the border are various types of hellebore including Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose).

The white berries of Gaultheria mucronata (formerly Pernettya mucronate) are particularly conspicuous against their small dark green leaves.

Events Every Sunday in February 1-3pm you can join the Rangers for a 40minute walk to explore the carpet of snowdrops in the woodland.

Snowdrop Sales

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society The winter lecture for February will be held in the New Community Centre, Kilmacolm, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21st February 2018. Our guest speaker is Mrs Carol Rowe, who will speak on her favourite subject of ‘Fruit and Vegetables at KILARDEN”.

The lecture is followed by refreshments and chat. Everyone welcome.

We are now taking bookings for our Snowdrops ‘in the green’. In the green means once the Snowdrops have finished flowering we will dig them up as per orders. Tubs of flowering Snowdrops on sale soon from £5.50 and Posies from £2.50.

RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

Prices are:

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th

Galanthus nivalis (singles)

Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore pleno’ (Doubles)

25 bulbs for £10.50, 50 bulbs for £17 and 100 bulbs for £28

25 bulbs for £13, 50 bulbs for £21 and 100 bulbs for £35

You can place your order in our Visitor Centre or call on 01475 540505.

Bulbs available from mid-March onwards.

Membership Our winter family membership is £34.50 and is valid from now till March 2018 Tea Room The Tea Room is open every weekend, public and school holidays 11am till 4pm. They offer homemade cakes, soups, light lunches, hot & cold drinks and ice cream.

We hope to see you soon.

Tamar, Head Ranger

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We have joined forces with RSPB Lochwinnoch help with the Big Garden Birdwatch. This is a national wide bird survey to help to identify which species of birds are doing well in numbers, those that aren’t and how we can help them.

Walk with our Ranger Team to the hotspots to identify and count the bird species that live here on the estate.

You can also collect the RSPB identification charts from Visitor Centre throughout the day for a self-led walk.

“The Big Garden Birdwatch is a brilliant citizen science project, and has given the RSPB loads of data about our garden birds for the last 39 years. Over half a million-people counted the birds in their garden or local green space last year and in 2018 we’re hoping for even more!

Going along to an organised event can give you the knowledge and confidence to identify the birds you might see before you go home, put your feet up and count your own garden birds! For your free Big Garden Birdwatch pack, which includes a bird identification chart, plus RSPB shop voucher and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.” Hannah Sharratt, Warden, RSPB Lochwinnoch

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Yearn Stane Project – Tree Planting Event at Muirshiel

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Eadha Enterprises is organising a woodland management and community tree planting event as part of our Yearn Stane Project and is looking for lots of volunteers to help make a difference. (http://www.eadha.co.uk/ news/328_yearn_stane_project_launched) We will be planting a few hundred of our native aspen saplings along the banks of the River Calder at Muirshiel.

In addition, we will join with volunteers from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to do some planting within the Cample Burn Enclosure. We are grateful for the support of Hunterston Estates in this project which is likely to take place later in the spring. More details will follow. In advance, we will be removing tree tubes and stakes from established young woodland at Muirshiel for re-use in this project.

Eadha is working to restore riparian woodland across Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. (www.eadha.co.uk/projects/332_ayrshire_riparian_woodland_ project). Riparian woodland is the name given to woodland growing along riverbanks. This type of woodland, which typically comprises of water loving species such as aspen, willow, and alder is very important for maintaining the quality of aquatic ecosystems and therefore helps to support healthy fisheries and can help mitigate against flooding.

Unfortunately we have lost the vast majority of our riparian woodland.

There are good examples on the lower reaches of the River Calder.

The 17 hectare Cample enclosure (NS 308625) was erected as part of the Juniper Conservation project led by Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park on Hunterston Estate to create a livestock free area to regenerate juniper which has greatly diminished across the Renfrewshire Hills due to muirburn and sheep grazing practices. A number of juniper saplings propagated from cuttings at Barnbrock and Lochwinnoch Community Garden have been planted within this enclosure over the years. The aspen planting will introduce another rare species enhancing the botanical diversity.

Eadha’s Yearn Stane Project seeks to initiate landscape scale ecological restoration projects across the Renfrewshire Hills. The “Yearn Stane”, is a feature to be found near Irish Law which derives its name from the old word for Golden Eagle “earn”. This was a perch for golden eagles and provides a hint of what we have lost. The potential social and economic as well as environmental benefits could be enormous in terms of ecotourism, environmental education, volunteering and employment training etc.

DETAILS: Woodland Management WHEN: Sunday Feb 25th 2018. Event will run until 3.30pm.

WHERE: Meet at the Muirshiel Visitor Centre car park at 1pm.

WHAT TO BRING: Waterproof clothing, stout footwear. Tools and gloves will be provided.

Please contact us to notify your interest. Peter Livingstone, peter@ eadha.co.uk, 07968745197, www.eadha.co.uk, facebook: Eadha Enterprises, twitter: eadhaaspen

BoW Horticultural Society Angela Smith (Propagation), 18th January, 2018 Angela Smith, formerly of Angela’s Flowers, Bridge of Weir, gave an informative and entertaining presentation on a wintry January evening.

Angela’s talk about the Community Outreach work of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in Scotland highlighted “Greening the Grey” projects in communities across the West of Scotland, particularly in areas of deprivation or need.

Angela gained her early horticultural experience at home, gardening with her Dad. She then trained with Renfrewshire Council and was based at the Central Nursery, Hawkhead Road. Further experience working with children and young people from Mary Russell and Kibble combined with Floristry courses at Langside College and running the flower shop was all good preparation for her current role as the Community Outreach worker for the RHS which involves training and community work. One of our members, Clare, is a volunteer with the RHS Community Outreach and has already worked with schools in our area.

The second part of Angela’s presentation was a demonstration of various propagation techniques. She showed us seed sowing using a finely milled seed compost to which she had added some perlite. Using her own, homemade, pot shaped pressing board, a flat surface was produced on top of the compost and mixed salads were sown. At this time of the year, these need to be kept on a warm windowsill or in a heated greenhouse.

We also learned how to split and repot pots of supermarket herbs as well as how to make Kokodamas. Apparently, Kokodamas are, “all the rage” and they are made by applying moist potting compost around the roots of small plantlets such as Chlorophytum or Spider Plants. This is followed by sphagnum moss which has to be kept moist and the whole thing is tied and held together with string to which beads may be added for decoration.

During tea, members had a chance to make their own Kokodamas, sow seed and pot on herbs. A very “hands on” conclusion to a very interesting and enjoyable evening.

Members can look forward to The Elmer Wallace Memorial Lecture on Thursday 8th February when Louise Bustard, describes ‘Some Gardens of The Emerald Isle’. The gardens of Ireland are renowned for their verdant greenery and flourishing plant life so we have a treat in store.

You don’t have to be a member to come along to our monthly meetings.

If you are thinking of holidaying on the Emerald Isle and want to preview some of the gardens there, or just want to escape our Scottish winter, please come along to The British Legion for 8p.m. On Thursday, 8th February and join us. Likewise, there is an open invitation to our own, “Gardener’s Question Time” which will take place on 8th March – time enough to be thinking of your horticultural problems!

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Welcome to Scotland’s largest Regional Park Vote for us in Bags of Help!

The Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers have been shortlisted in the Tesco Bags of Help campaign for January and February at Tesco Greenock and Port Glasgow stores. We’re looking to get more litter picking equipment to help with our quarterly BeachWatch volunteer events. This helps identify national threats to our coastline so pop your token in our box!

Pedal the Park! It’s now just over 9 weeks to go until Pedal the Park 2018. It’s on Sunday 22nd April and your £20 entry fee includes a goodie bag and a third of the price going to our charity partner CLIC Sargent in Scotland.

Conservation Bioblitz @ Greenock Cut: The Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers have been awarded just under £10,000 to do some specialist conservation and Bioblitz focussed events in conjunction with the Ranger Service. There will be one event a month, look online now for more info and like the new project facebook page of the same name for updates.

Walking Festival Save the Date: Coming this May is our first ever Clyde Muirshiel Walking Festival! We will have guided walks for all levels and it is the result of a new partnership with the local Ramblers groups. Put 26-28th May in your diary now. More news coming soon.

Conservation Volunteers: The volunteers have an active programme of tasks for over the winter period including Rhododendron clearance in Parkhill Wood.

Greenock Cut’s group meet 10.30am – 2.30pm every Saturday and Castle Semple on Thursdays 12.30 – 3.30pm with the odd full day session.

Ride 63 Community Cycle Club: Occasional weekend rides through the winter, see facebook group page for info or post if you have some free time and would like a ride. Contact the club by emailing the secretary ridesixtythree@gmail.com for a membership form and ride info.

Tag-n-Track Project update It’s time for the monthly roundup from the Tag-n-Track Ranger Hannah Riley. TnT is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde LEADER and Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.

Project News Happy New Year from the Tag-n-Track team! We hope that 2018 will bring more exciting developments for our gulls. All our gulls have now left the UK and they are in various countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Western Sahara! Our gulls are due to come back to their breeding sites around February/March time so before we know it they will hopefully all be back in Scotland. For now though we will round up what two of our gulls have been up to over the festive season. Gary, one of our gulls caught on the Police Station roof in Greenock, has made it to Portugal after being in England since the 2nd of August.

He is our second bird to first travel through Spain to get to Portugal, instead of going down the coast.

Interestingly, as you may remember from last month’s update, the only other gull to travel this way was PC Bobby, who was the other gull caught on the Police Station roof. Gary left England on the 7th of December and travelled through Brittany and was in Spain by the 9th of December. Apart from Flyback travelling though Brittany in July, a lot of our gulls that have migrated later on in the winter have gone this way, instead of straight into Spain or Portugal. By the 26th Gary had travelled over land through Spain and was heading over the border in to Portugal. He is currently hanging around a nature reserve near Lisbon.

The second gull we would like to update you on is Archie. He is one of the gulls caught in Lochwinnoch and was named by the Brown Bull pub in Lochwinnoch.

Archie is again one our late migrators.

He spent much of his time in Scotland around Kilmarnock before finally deciding to leave on the 30th of November.

He arrived in Cornwall on the 1st of December.

On the 10th of December Archie looked like he was heading straight over the Bay of Biscay and into Spain however, he did a loop round and went towards the coast of France instead. He is still in France and is currently hanging around Soulac-sur-Mer which is north of Bordeaux. Archie is one of only five of our gulls to go to France and he is the only one to go to this region.

To keep up to date with the project and to find out more check out www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk/things-todo/widlife/tag-n-track/teamgull/ or at www.facebook. com/TagnTrack/ Gull adoptions Looking for that something different or are you interested in supporting our gull project? We are offering gull adoption packs where you can sponsor one of the gulls for £25 and in return you will receive an adoption certificate, factsheet, monthly email updates, your name on our website and a fluffy gull to call your own. Look for details on our website or email tnt@clydemuirshiel.co.uk to find out more.

Event News Come along and meet the TnT Team at Muirshiel for a Bird Ring Demonstration. It is a chance to see our native woodland birds up close. Please pop in and say hello anytime time between 10am – 12pm.

More Info…

Details can be found on the Park’s website www. clydemuirshiel.co.uk/tag-n-track or by emailing tnt@ clydemuirshiel.co.uk. The Project also know has its own Facebook Page which can be found at www.facebook. com/TagnTrack/ Talks to groups can be arranged if you are interested in finding out more about the project and its findings as the project progresses.

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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Gryffe Camera Club

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New Camera for Christmas? If you are interested in joining a Camera Club, just pop along to one of our Club Nights. We meet every Wednesday Night at The Carrick Centre, Houston between 7.30pm and 10.00pm. See our website – www.gryffecameraclub.co.uk We are also on Facebook www.facebook.com/Gryffe-Camera-Club Since the last issue we have had a packed agenda. The poor preChristmas weather severely reduced the size of the audience when our own Matt Johnson treated us to ‘A Little Bit of Everything’, covering his extensive trips to the Far East and Europe. Now we know why he does so well in the Club Competitions.

The final Club Evening of 2017 was the Christmas Party. We were entertained with a ‘Christmas Quiz’ hosted by MC Roger, which was thoroughly enjoyed. Undoubtedly, the answer of the night was to the question ‘What does ‘MF’ stand for. ‘Massey Fergusson’ was the reply, whereas the actual answer was ‘Manual Focus’ – we are after all a Camera Club! Congratulations to the eventual winners - ‘The Originals’, the oldest, or is that most senior members of the Club?!

League Competition 3 is unique in the Gryffe syllabus in that the entries are judged twice - internally by the Club members before Christmas, and by an external judge after Christmas. It is always interesting to compare the two sets of results. This year Clive Watkins gave us his verdict on our endeavours.

The winners as judged by the Club members were: A Prints 1st Matt Johnson 2nd Pat Allan 3rd Pat Allan

Mono Prints 1st Andy Stark =2nd Matt Johnson =2nd Matt Johnson

Digital A 1st Bill Crookston 2nd John McConnellogue 3rd Malcolm Martin

Langbank Camera Club January’s club print competition topic was ‘Environmental Trash’.

Entries submitted depicted many different aspects of what might be considered as environmental trash. The winning entry was awarded to James Goodall for his photograph of “Foggy Root”, an image captured at the small

Digital B 1st Chris Arthur 2nd Chris Kyle 3rd Rhona Miller

The winners as judged by Clive Watkins were: A Prints 1st Matt Johnson 2nd Pat Allan & Andy Stark 3rd Pat Allan & Tim Bailey

Mono Prints 1st Andy Stark 2nd Matt Johnson 3rd Pat Allan & Tim Bailey

Digital A 1st Malcolm Martin 2nd Malcolm Martin 3rd Bill Crookston & John McConnellogue

Digital B 1st Ronnie Logan 2nd Rhona Miller 3rd Chris Arthur

its closure in 1982.

Third place was awarded to George Steele for his photograph “Retyred” taken within the Inverclyde area. At this meeting we covered aspects of camera operation and the impact of settings on the final image. We also featured a short introduction to photo management and backup.

beach area called Spreads near Erskine. The runner up was Derrick McPherson for his photograph of “Broken Bridge” taken at Little Duck Key, Florida, USA. The bridge is the original Seven Mile Bridge which was built for the Florida East Coast Railway in 1912 and converted for motor vehicles in 1935 until

Our Projected Digital Image (PDI) evenings include short tutorials to help get the best out of your camera, whether it be getting to grips with menu settings or post processing before printing or displaying.

The main February meeting will take place as usual on the second Monday of the month, 12th February, with the PDI meeting on 26rd February. The print competition topic for February is “Silhouette”.

The theme for the February PDI competition is “Framed”. Club meetings are held in Langbank Church Halls, Langbank.

Looking at someone else’s holiday snaps is not usually the most appealing way to spend an evening. But the holiday snaps of club member Andy Stark are somewhat different. In August 2016, along with nine friends and family members of the Craig Dhont Climbing Club, he walked around the Mont Blanc Massif - 119 miles in 10 days including the ascent of the equivalent of 9 ‘Munros’. In between all the walking, climbing (and drinking), he also recorded the adventure in more than 5,000 photographs! His excuse for taking so many - ‘every time you turned a corner there was another spectacular view’ His presentation took us on the same amazing journey.

Visitors are always welcome to our friendly club nights. Membership of the club is only £10 for the first year so please come along. If you wish to find out more about Langbank Camera Club, please contact Derrick McPherson at langbankcc1@gmail.com.

It is easy to reel off superlatives when viewing Award Winning Robert Quig’s photos, but you rather quickly run out of them. Those who braved the icy weather were treated to his presentation ‘The Wild West’ – many stunning photos of the landscape, flora and fauna of the West Coast of Scotland from Ayrshire to The Assynt.

Upcoming speakers are Neil MacGregor with ‘Bits & Pieces’ on 31 January; David Hay with Composition in the Greek Islands on 21 February and Mark McColl who returns on 28 February with his stunning Aurora and Astro photos.

We also have two competitions – the annual George Simpson Trophy which this year is held at Greenock Camera Club on 2 February and a GDPU League tie at East Kilbride Camera Club on 5 February.

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Kilmacolm Camera Club

PCPC

In December, we held another internal league competition. The subject was “Memorable Buildings”, judged by Gill Williamson, of Eastwood Photographic Society.

“The Borbasket Trophy 2017/2018”

In the Print section, Billy Blair came first, with “Black Rock Cottage,” Bill Ham came second, with “Wemyss Bay Station” and John Watson was third, with “High Rise, Havana.” Jane Robertson (“Lincoln Cathedral”), Bill Ham (“Matthias Church, Budapest”) and John Watson (“Underground

In this competition entry consists of three digital images judged as a set with the first image in each set either a table top, a portrait or a still life photograph. Judging the competition were last year’s winner of the trophy, Charles Hamilton and the winner of last season’s Henderson Trophy, Mike Cruise.

Petersburg,” respectively. Bill (“Lutheran Cathedral, Helsinki”), (“Avila Cathedral”) John and David Walker (“Glasgow Cathedral Interior” and “Glasgow Cathedral Ceiling”) all received Highly Commended awards.

Water Reserve, received Highly awards.

Seville”) all Commended

In the Digital section, Bill Ham was first, with “Kibble Palace,” John Watson came second, with “Syracuse Cathedral” and John and Bill shared third place, with “Harpa, Reykjavik” and “Catherine Palace, St

Last month at the McMaster Centre in Renfrew, Paisley Colour held its annual competition for the Borbasket Memorial Trophy.

Charles and Mike in turn gave a considered critique to each of the 26 sets entered. They pointed out the difficulties they encountered in judging fellow club members’ work and also the difficulties they had in selecting the top sets as there were many options vying for ranking positions.

This year the award for the top set of images by a non-advanced member was made to Frank McColum for his set of images including “Jack and Ice” and “The Feed”.

In the advanced section for the Borbasket Trophy Charles and Mike awarded 4th place to Guy Phillips for his set including portrait “Biggles” and fighter plane “Red 8”.

A special mention to John Watson and “the old fox,” Bill Ham, for their expertise at architectural photography.

A selection of winning images is shown here.

We ended 2017 with our usual quiz and party evening. The quiz was compiled expertly by Gordon McGibbon, with a wide selection of general knowledge questions (and some fearsome anagrams!).

The 3rd place set was by Neill Ross and his set included the best portrait in the competition “The Eyes Have It” as well as images “Golden Girl” and “Crossing the Line”.

Runner up this year was Tom Clark and his set included the best still life image in the competition “Broken Garlic” as well as “Start of Winter” and “Frozen Morning”.

Good fun, with some festive food and wine!

We also had an excellent talk from Neil MacGregor, of Kirkintilloch Camera Club, on “Nature in Landscape.”

His enthusiasm shone through during his talk on wildlife and nature, with Scotland displayed in wonderful landscapes, accompanied by a description of how he approached the images, timing, repeat visits, filters and exposures. His knowledge of

The Borbasket Trophy winner for 2017/2018 was Duncan McEwan for his outstanding set including “Forest Mist”, “On the Shore” and the superb portrait “Young Aristocrat”. Duncan’s portrait was judged as the best image in the competition.

the wildlife he captures with his lens was inspiring. He gave valuable tips of how to deal with the idiosyncrasies of ptarmigans, capercaillies, snow buntings, hares and deer.

Club meetings on Thursday evenings continue at the McMaster Centre throughout the winter and spring months and include further competitions as well as lectures on themes such as African wild life, sub arctic landscape and art photography to which visitors are always welcome. For further details about PCPC and updated members galleries please view: www.paisleycolour.co.uk

There’s plenty more on show for the rest of the season. Come along and see for yourself.

Venue: Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01; Tuesday evening, time 7.30 (October to March) Contacts: Billy Blair, Tel: 873383; Janice Stevenson, Tel 873595.

Website: clikpic.com/kilcamclub/

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Diaporama

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As usual, both Ronnie and David’s shows were diverse and interesting with music from many genres, from the 60’s to the present day.

R o n n i e began the evening with a visit to the Spanish hillside town of Ronda with views of the famous Puente Nuevo, which straddles the incredible EL Tajo gorge, and of the town and bullring.

This was followed by a very unusual show called ‘Staying Inside the Lines’. His photos were of pages from a Colouring for Adults book, which he had coloured in in his own inimitable style including one done in Partick Thistle colours.

Next were two shows featuring transport. ‘Bikes’ was about the charity motorbike ride in aid of Erskine Hospital and ‘Glasgow’s Clockwork Orange’ had photos of Glasgow’s subway stations above and below ground.

‘James Logan’ was a tribute to his grandfather who was an excellent Glasgow amateur photographer and used photos which he had taken of Glasgow during his life, including one of a subway station Ronnie had also photographed.

Next we travelled to Culzean Castle to see the castle and grounds taken during a camera club trip. This was followed by a skit on Brooklyn ninenine, an American sit-com, called ‘Erskine nine-nine’ and featuring his family. His final contribution was ‘Marbella’ - memories of his holiday created by his phone.

David could not be with us, unfortunately, but we were delighted that he sent us his contributions. He used photographs taken in previous years supplemented by borrowed images.

and we were treated to the history of the house and estate before seeing it at its glorious best in springtime.

‘A picture of You’ was, for those who remember the 60’s, a tribute to the Jo Brown and The Bruvvers song accompanied by photos from Spain mixed with those of friends.

‘Clyde Swim’ was his second recording of the annual Clyde swim with photos of participants and winners.

‘Distaff Holidays’ was a very interesting record of family history for his children. It was mainly about his father in law, who was a gifted amateur painter, and featured the many canvases he painted on family holidays in Carradale.

‘It’s Late’ by Ricky Nelson and ‘San Miguel’ by Lonnie Donegan were both tribute sequences and a bit of fun.

His final show was ‘The Unquiet Grave’ which featured photos taken at a Burns’ Farewell enactment in Greenock Cemetery.

Our next meeting will be held in the Carrick Centre Houston on Monday 12th February with shows from Hugh and Gerry. You will be very welcome to join us.

His first show was ‘Finlaystone’

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the advertizer Sunset at Castle Semple by Carolyn Craig

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir SWI

The Bridge

On Thursday 1st February we will welcome a speaker from Glickman’s sweets, and look forward to tasting some of the products. We meet at 7.15pm for 7.30 at the British Legion and visitors will be made welcome.

POST OFFICE – all types of Insurance, Savings products and Mortgages are available through the Post Office. Please ask Donald, Anne or Stuart for an information leaflet. Our unique identification code is provided on all leaflets. Use of this code allows The Bridge to earn income on all completed transactions.

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir Elderly Forum The next meeting of the Forum is on Tuesday 13th February in the RBLS Hall at 3pm when the Summer Outing will be discussed together with any Other competent business.

June Reid from Benefits Take up office attended our meeting in January and explained about the changes to benefits. We are hoping to have a Councillor at our March meeting and we look forward to a good attendance.

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Spring is awakening. Get ahead - renew your stocks of stationery and prepare for all the birthdays and celebrations expected in 2018.

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

GREETING CARDS – we are continually replenishing our stock to cover life’s events. For those with milestone birthdays the range of cards covers from ages 1 to 10 and 18 to 100. A small stock of Valentine cards are on sale – send your love in 2018! Our cards have been rearranged as we now have a new card display unit courtesy of LOCHNAGAR CAFE. COMMUNITY CENTRE - please remember The Bridge is a central point in the village where you can meet others, have a tea or coffee and enjoy a chat with our volunteers. It is a bright, warm, welcoming place where hopefully you will feel at home. We look forward to catching up soon.

Bridge of Weir Lace Group Bridge of Weir Lace Group meets fortnightly on Tuesday mornings (10am - 12noon) during the winter months. If you’d like to try lacemaking we can provide materials & tuition. For further details phone (01505) 613967. bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Senior Citizens Club We meet at Cargill Hall every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 7pm 9.15pm. 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. bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

SWI Langbank

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Singing for Wellbeing A fun, no-pressure choir singing feel-good songs every Tuesday from 6pm 7.15pm and Fridays at 2pm - 3.15pm in the Bishopton Community Centre.

The Clydebank Citadel Band

We had our Christmas party in December and Santa delivered gifts.

In January we hosted a Scottish Quiz Night with a traditional haggis supper.

Our February evening is on Thursday 15th February at 7.30pm.

.... Returns by popular demand

The competitions are Matrimony Jam, Handwritten Family Tree and a family wedding picture.

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Sunday 28th January 2018 at 3pm

Our local family history expert, Margaret White will explain how to find out more about our ancestors.

£5 including refreshments Varied programme featuring some Scottish pieces for Burns Season. Tickets available at church or from Morven 612286

All visitors will be made very welcome.

Your Ward 11 Councillors ... for Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir

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Let's hear from our Councillors Natalie Don reports: ROADS: I have had many residents contacting me about a range of issues. I appreciate that the roads and potholes seem to be the main cause of concern for many residents. Resurfacing work is now being carried out on the A761 at the entrance to Bridge of Weir and hopefully by the time of printing, this will be completed. I also continue to push for improvements to be made to various other roads within the ward which have come to my attention, including but not limited to; Ferry Road in Bishopton, Kilbarchan Road and Houston Road in Bridge of Weir and Dennistoun Road in Langbank. I do hope that by the time you are reading this, some improvements have been made.

SCHOOLS: Last month I attended Langbank Community Council where a number of issues were brought to my attention including the school bus pick up/drop off point, deterioration of roads and dampness in the school. The dampness issue is of high concern and as previously reported, measures have been taken within the school in an effort to tackle the problem. A review visit will take place in March to ensure that conditions are improving and I will keep local residents informed of the outcome of this.

JOINT ISSUES: I also recently met with Councillor Chris Curley for Inverclyde Ward 1, Inverclyde East, to discuss certain issues which relate to each of our wards. Chris and I considered various issues but most notably, the public transport links between Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir and our neighbouring town centres as well as possible improvements to cycle links and routes between the different areas. I am very much looking forward to working with Chris in the future to see how we can benefit the people within our respective wards.

d your Please ad hall y communit r list u o o t s il deta o info@ - email t .co.uk r advertize

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

Bridge of Weir Community Council The Bridge of Weir Community Council’s first meeting of 2018 will be held in the Cargill Hall on Tuesday the 6th of February at 7pm.

The Planning Convener will give an update on the Bull’s Garage Planning Application. We will hear details of a further planning application lodged by Westminster Home’s for the vacant land on Maxwell Place adjacent to the Hope Hall.

The meeting will consider the consultation document on the proposed new flight path proposals for Glasgow Airport.

Included in the Roads of Interest will be timescales for further works at Barochan Road, this time to provide a slip road intro the new housing development. The Community Council will ask for as little disruption to traffic as possible.

We have asked the Police to provide information on the procedure for having abandoned cars and vans removed from our streets.

Our projects team will report on the programme for planting Aspen Tree’s in suitable locations throughout the village, as well as an update on the Ladeside upgrade project.

In late December we welcomed the introduction of the exercise equipment to Ranfurly Park a project lead by our Fund Raising Committee.

The winner of the Christmas Hamper drawn at the Light’s Switch on event was Gordon Fraser of Kilmacolm Road Gordon was delighted to receive the prize.

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir

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kilmacolm & quarriers

kilmacolm & quarriers

Let's hear from our Councillors

Outlook

Stephen McCabe reports:

‘OUTLOOK’ is a social community group in Kilmacolm, that was created to welcome everyone, young and old, to come to share friendship and fellowship together. It is led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk. The group meets in Kidston Hall on 1st and 3rd Thursday afternoons monthly, from 2pm to 4pm. The programme includes invited speakers, afternoon tea, items of community issues for discussion, dates for your diary, plus entertaining activities.

IC BUDGET: The Council’s budget consultation closes on 11th February and I would encourage you, if you have not already done so, to have your say. Details of how you can respond to the budget consultation are available on the Council’s website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay and the budget simulator can be found at https://inverclyde.budgetsimulator.com. You can email any comments you have to yoursay@inverclyde. gov.uk.

The budget simulator is an online survey tool that allows you to make choices on how you would balance the Council’s budget. We have set out 40 areas of budget cuts and increases to charges totalling over £8m and are asking people as part of the consultation to identify up to £5m of their preferred options.

There are no easy options on the list. All the savings proposals will adversely impact on the local community, be it through a loss of jobs and a reduction in service or through increased charges. The views you express will help inform the final shape of the Council’s budget, which will be decided at a special meeting of the full Council on 15th March. I would also encourage you to lobby our local and regional MSPs, particularly the Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay, for a better deal for the Council so that the level of savings we need to make is reduced.

FLOOD PREVENTION: At the Environment and Regeneration Committee on 18th January an update was given on the planned flood prevention works in Kilmacolm and Quarriers. The first phase of works in Kilmacolm to address the flooding at Gilburn Road/Market Place is likely to be an upgrade of the existing culvert between Market Place and Smithy Brae. There is no firm timescale for the works to start, although I would hope it would be during the course of this financial year.

The Council’s consultant is finalising the design of a scheme for dealing with flooding from the Gotter Water at Quarriers. This will involve the construction of a culvert to divert water that collects in the field West of Craigbet Avenue, and results in flooding to property, back into the Gotter Water.

Christopher Curley reports: IC BUDGET: The Inverclyde budget consultation process runs until the 11th of February. Although the Scottish Government settlement is better than hoped, possible savings have been identified to balance the budget and can be found in the “your council, your say” section of the Inverclyde Council website. Councillors have not agreed any of these savings as yet and we want to hear your views on these savings before making budget decisions in March. I would again encourage everyone to take part in the consultation.

PLANNING: I note the proposal of application notice by Gladman Developments with respect to the proposed housing development at Carsemeadow in Quarriers Village and I will be attending the formal public exhibition on the 8th February between 2pm and 8pm at Sommerville Weir Hall.

PETITIONS COMMITTEE: This met on the 1st February for the first time in a number of months. I am vice convenor of this committee which hears petitions in relation to council services, affording Inverclyde’s citizens a direct route of engagement in the policy development process of the Council. More information can be obtained on the Council’s website if you are interested in raising a petition.

David Wilson reports: PLANNING: The application for housing at Knapps and North Dennistoun has, I understand, attracted some 1000 objections. Planning officers will read all of these and acknowledge them. They will be able to glean the most popular reasons for objecting to the scheme. Statutory consultation with some dozen bodies will also be conducted. Matters require to be concluded in four months. The MacTaggart and Meikle proposal for West of Quarry Drive is expected soon, and the one by Gladman for Carsemeadow in Quarriers Village takes place on Thursday 8th February 2018, 2pm - 8pm at Sommerville Weir Hall, Faith Avenue, Quarriers Village, PA11 3TF. IC BUDGET: We have gone out to consultation on possible budget savings. It is important that we get a steer from our constituents. What might seem important to councillors is not necessarily agreed by the public. We have managed to maintain front line services over the past eight years but things are getting tighter. I meet often with English councillors and there is little doubt that Councils South of the Border have suffered much greater cuts to their budgets than us in Scotland. The extra £1600 pa per head via the Barnett Formula gives us a considerable advantage over the English Regions.

GOLF CLUB: Mrs Jane McDonald has been elected as the first woman to be Captain of The Kilmacolm Golf Club. The Club was formed in 1891 and the Ladies section in 1898. I spoke, while Captain, at the 100th anniversary of the Ladies section in 1998, and even then the Ladies did not have equality. Progress indeed. I can now add Jane to a list of my bosses, which includes Ruth, Theresa and my wife.

ROADS: We have entered into a Roads Authorities Shared Service with West and East Dunbartonshire Councils. Audit Scotland have concluded that increased collaboration and shared services should be the way forward for all councils. Time will tell on this one, though our appropriate director envisages savings.

FLOODING: Consultants continue to investigate flooding from the Glenmosston Burn and its effect on Gillburn Road and Market Place. Consideration is being given to the attenuation flows up stream in Glen Moss.

PROGRAMME February to May 2018 1st Feb

Toe tapping entertainment with Archie and Willie on Accordians, Graham on Drums

15th Feb

S.S.A.F.A. – the Forces Charity

1st March

William Kean – Organist, Pianist and Photographer – Scottish Favourites on piano and violin

Armed

15th March Gentle Keep Fit with Grace – Back by popular demand 5th April

Heartstart. Morag Thow – demonstration of simple skills that save lives

19th April

Holidays with – Travel Actually

3rd May

Stories of a Councillor with David Wilson

17th May

Clydeside Singers – favourite singalongs

Charlotte

The OUTLOOK team of Margaret Cook, Sandra Crawford, Andrea Hargreaves, Gordon McGibbon, Rae McPhee, Heather Mutch, Catriona Miller, Judy Adams and Jill Russell invite you to Come along, bring a friend, spread the word that OUTLOOK is for fellowship and friendship.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Kilmacolm Girl Guiding Spring Fayre Saturday 10th March 10am - 12:30pm St Columba’s Church Hall Come along and support our local Rainbows, Brownies and Guides at the Girl Guiding Daffodil Spring Fayre. Crafts, Tombola, Easter Eggs, Home baking, Mother Day’s Gifts, Bacon rolls and more.. Adults £2.50 / Children £1.50 - refreshments included.

Your Ward 1 Councillors ... for Inverclye East (includes Kilmacolm & Quarriers)

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16th February - You don’t want to miss it!!

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PLANNING: Public Exhibition Thursday 8th February 2018, 2pm - 8pm at Sommerville Weir Hall, Faith Avenue, Quarriers Village, PA11 3TF On 12th January 2018, Gladman Developments Ltd made a Proposal of Application Notice relating to a proposed new housing development on land at Carsemeadow, Quarriers Village. There follows a 12 week public consultation period from that date, and Gladman Developments Ltd will be holding a formal public exhibition in Quarriers Village on 8th February when indicative development proposals will be available for viewing.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Kilmacolm Taxis Celebrates 10 years It’s just over 10 years since Gordon McDonald and his wife Anne took over the Kilmacolm Taxis business back in December 2007.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Councillor Nelson Tackles Parking It has become clear that many of the parking disc zone signs required to make the zones compliant with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions Act are not in place in Inverclyde.

Clearly the Council and its representatives should not be issuing parking tickets for disc reasons within an area where the statutory disc zone signage is not in place.

Quite why the parking enforcement team leader has failed to ensure that the compliant signage in the disc zones in Inner Greenock, Gourock and Kilmacolm is not in place remains unclear at this stage.

I have written to Roisin Dillon, the parking enforcement team leader, to put to her the fact that many of the parking disc zone signs required to make the zones compliant with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions Act are not in place in Inverclyde. I have inquired what control measures she put in place at the outset of the scheme in order to ensure that the disc zone signage was compliant.

It’s a business which is very much dependent on a relationship of trust; many of our customers comment on the fact they feel confident in our care. We like to provide a more personal service, something which bigger companies are not able to do as effectively, and that seems to work well with local villagers as they get to know our regular drivers.

We very much appreciate our many loyal customers over the last 10 years who have gone on to recommend us to friends and family, and we are looking forward to continuing those strong relationships. Here’s to the next 10 years.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Without the required signage in place it renders a disc zone area of the decriminalised parking enforcement scheme approved for Inverclyde by the Scottish Ministers on the 6th of October 2014 legally unenforceable.

Gordon said, “I can’t believe where the time has gone, but as they say, time flies when you’re enjoying yourself.

I believe that motorists have been unjustly served with parking tickets for disc offences in those areas where the compliant signage is not in place. I have asked what steps will now be taken to apologise to motorists and refund them?

I have also raised my concerns that the time for a motorist to obtain a parking disc is being limited to just 10 minutes by the parking attendants when it was stated at committee by the former Head of Roads that motorists would be given ample time to obtain a disc.

Such a short period of time being imposed is unfair, especially to those who are elderly, pregnant or have very young children where this could clearly be considered discriminatory under the Equality Act.”

ils Any deta sed? we've mis m to email the izer. rt info@adve co.uk

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Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning

kilmacolm & quarriers

The Annual Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning this year will be on Tuesday 13th February 10 - 12 noon in St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road Kilmacolm. There will be lovely freshly made pancakes, home baking, raffle and various stalls. Tickets £3.

kilmacolm & quarriers

kilmacolm & quarriers

Kilmacolm Community Council Inverclyde Council could have an estimated funding gap of £10.2m by 2019/20 unless it finds ways of reducing expenditure and increasing revenues before then. They have a budget consultation that runs from 15th January until 11th February 2018 and are seeking the views of residents, the business community and anyone else with an interest in Inverclyde on balancing the council budget.

The council has set out forty areas of suggested budget cuts and increases to charges totalling over £8m and is asking people as part of the consultation to identify up to £5m of their preferred options. The community can have their say online through the budget simulator at https://inverclyde.budgetsimulator.com/ where the budget options are outlined.

Inverclyde Council hosted a ‘drop in’ event between 4pm and 8pm in the Kilmacolm Community Centre on Tuesday 16th January where more information was available and the opportunity to express comments.

The Kilmacolm Community Council will discuss, with the participation of the community, the suggested options at their meeting on January 30th 2018 and will frame a formal response to Inverclyde Council. Members of the community are encouraged to attend this and any other meeting of the Kilmacolm Community Council. 

|

The Kilmacolm Community Council submitted to Inverclyde Council their objection to the planning application for the proposed residential development on the land at the Knapps and North Denniston submitted by Gladman Developments Limited. The response can be viewed at http://www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk A ‘community spend’ budget of £70,000 is available for community inspired village centre improvements and added facilities for Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village The Kilmacolm Community Council is requesting that members of the community or community groups submit suggestions for improvements or additional facilities that will enhance village life in Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village. Suggestions should be addressed to secretary@kimacolmcc.co.uk

Curry & Quiz Night Saturday 3rd March 2018 The Annual Kilmacolm Scout Curry and Quiz Night will be on Saturday 3rd March 2018.

Tickets are £10 which includes your curry. There will be a bar on the night selling beer, wine, spirits, prosecco and soft drinks.

There will be great food, quizzing, music and maybe even some dancing! So get a team together max 8 people per team - or better still 2 teams and order your tickets from Maureen on 01505 872094 or any of the scout leaders. We always appreciate the support. Money raised goes to help support our local scouts activities.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Whist Drive kilmacolm & quarriers

Guide Hut to Hire

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.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Kilmacolm Surgeries Every 4th Monday PC Jamieson, the local neighbourhood officer, will hold a surgery in the Community Centre between 10.30 - 11.30am.

Please pop in and see him if you want to share any concerns or need advice.

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Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society.

Friday 16th February 7.30pm. New Community Centre Kilmacolm.

Light Supper - tickets £4.

kilmacolm & quarriers

Do You Want To Improve Your Bridge?

Classes resume on Tuesday evenings starting 27th February in Kilmacolm Community Centre 7pm - 9pm.

There will be a lesson on a specific topic each evening followed by discussion and play for the rest of the time.

A detailed list of lessons is displayed in the Centre Notice Board.

Further information call 01505 872345.

16th February - You don’t want to miss it!!

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kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club The club takes place on Mondays from 9.15am - 11.30am in the church hall and is run by a group of volunteers from the church. We are delighted to welcome tots from birth-3 years, along with their accompanying adults.

There is a huge variety of toys and bouncy castle for the tots and enjoyable company with tea/coffee for the adults. The cost remains £1 for adults.

Did you know that in the Old Library Centre we have many archive photos of the village? These are available for members of the public to look through in the centre. They are divided into categories of School Days, Lilias Day and General and Group scenes. Why don’t you come in and have a look at the history of the village; it really is fascinating. Alternatively, you may have some old photos of your own that you would be willing for us to copy and add to our collection. Do come in and have a chat about it.

Kilbarchan Parish Church

Kilbarchan Parish Church Drama Group.

Rehearsals are now underway for the next production “The Vicar of Dibley”, a series of scenes adapted into a 2 act comedy to be performed on Thursday - Saturday 26th - 28th April. More information about tickets in the next Advertizer but please note the dates.

Kilbarchan Parish Church Boys’ Brigade are holding a Coffee Morning and Craft Fair on Saturday 17th February in the church halls - off Steeple Square - from 10am - 12noon. All welcome. kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Kilbarchan Parish Messy Church Our second Messy Church of 2018 takes place on Saturday 17th February in the Church Halls, Steeple Square from 4pm - 6pm. Our theme will be ‘Love’ and we will explore this through crafts, story and song. All young people will be made most welcome. Just remember to bring an adult along with you. We close by all sitting down to eat together and catching up with friends, old and new.

The Old Library Centre

Some places have opened up on the Thursday afternoon FABS class (exercise class for over 60’s). If you are interested phone the Old Library Centre, or just come along to the class. The first one is free.

All our other classes are running as usual, Yoga, Pilates, Bridge Club, Craft Group, Book Group and First Love Music (music and movement for toddlers).

You can also come in to use the computers. We offer photocopying, laminating and faxing facilities all at very competitive prices.

The Old Library Centre is a registered Scottish Charity and is ran by volunteers. For more details please phone 01505 706070, email kipcokil@ hotmail.com or visit our website www.kipcokil.com

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Gryffe Scottish Country Dancing Club Our club Christmas party night was a great success with almost 50 dancers attending to dance to the music of Shona and Susan MacFadyen.

Holidays over, we are now embarked on our spring term with Thursday night classes running up to Easter, 8pm in the Kilbarchan Guide Centre.

Experienced and new dancers will be most welcome to come along and join in for a sociable, fun evening of dancing and music. £3 per class.

Contact Les Lambert 01505 704398. leslambert08@gmail.com

Would you know what to do in an Emergency?

New Dates for 2018!! ♥ Every week in Scotland, 70 people suffer cardiac arrest. ♥ More than 3500 people per year in Scotland are treated by the Ambulance Service following a cardiac arrest. ♥ Only one in 20 people will survive. ♥ Without resuscitation, cardiac arrest is always fatal

kilbarchan, howwood, lochwinnoch & elderslie

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Elderslie Kirk Guild Elderslie Kirk Guild will meet on Wednesday 14th February at 7.30pm in the Church Hall when Vivienne MacDonald will provide a “Valentines Day” talk and slideshow, and on Wednesday 28th February, when Richard Woods will talk on the guild project Mission International “Haiti”. All welcome.

♥ But, performing CPR could double that person’s chance of survival Heartstart courses are free of charge and it only takes two hours to learn the skills which may someday save a life: ♥ Recovery position ♥ CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) ♥ Heart Attack ♥ Choking ♥ Serious bleeding To learn the simple skills that save lives, contact Morag Thow on 07868 752814 to book onto one of our courses: Tue 20th February

7-9pm

The Boarding House Howwood

Wed 28th March

7-9pm

Masonic Lodge Lochwinnoch

Tue 17th April

7-9pm

The Boarding House Howwood

Wed 23rd May

7-9pm

Masonic Lodge Lochwinnoch

Tue 19th June

7-9pm

The Boarding House Howwood

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kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Andy Doig reports:

Tuesday 20th February:

Let's hear from our Councillors

Howwood W.I.

BUILDING WORKS: I have been supporting residents in the Kilnknowe Cottages area of Howwood who are worried about the extensive piling which developers, MacTaggart and Mickel, are having to undertake to remediate the site across from the Cottages. In any new development some disruption is to be expected but I have contacted the Head of Planning at Renfrewshire Council to articulate my concerns given that previous planning applications for that site had been refused due to extensive mineworkings in the area.

CYCLE CHARITY: I have recently met Lochwinnoch resident, Mr Steve Forbes, to discuss how I can support his aim to form a local group of the Cycling Without Age charity. This charity encourages bands of volunteers to use tri-shaw cycles to support people like dementia sufferers to still get outdoors and to go for leisurely cycles in a safe environment. As a life-long cyclist since the age of 4yrs old I am very keen to support Mr Forbes in what is a brilliant project and if you feel you might like to volunteer and help Mr Forbes, please call me on 07534 148224.

MAKAR: Village communities like Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch, and Howwood, have many creative and artistic groups locally. Some months ago Kilbarchan Children’s author, Jack Hastie, who is a member of Lochwinnoch Writers Group, came to me with an idea that Renfrewshire should have its own Makar, or local Poet Laureate. At the last full council meeting Cllr Eileen McCartin and I proposed this idea and it was agreed unanimously that this voluntary post should be created.

Why I Chose Nursing

By Margaret Linnie Competition: Beanie Hat for Premature Baby Donated to Hospital Hostesses: Nan Robertson & Agnes McKay Vote of Jamieson

Thanks:

Margaret

New members will be made very welcome. For further information please contact Irene MacTaggart on 01505 704800.

Derek Bibby reports: WARD CLOSURE AT RAH: On the Advertizer deadline, the shocking news came through that the Health Minister had approved the closure of the Children’s Ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. This is a betrayal by the Scottish Government of those parents who have fought for six years against the threat of closure and the decision will have significant implications for families with sick children in our villages and across Renfrewshire who, will have further to travel for treatment.

WINTER WEATHER: We are still in the depths of winter, and during the cold and freezing weather in recent weeks, and due to icy conditions, I have had reports of some of our older residents unable to get out of their homes and streets. This is unacceptable. A long term plan for responding to the situation of sustained periods of winter weather in our villages and outlying areas needs to be set out. The provision of grit bins, and adequate amounts of salt, is just one aspect of planning not only for the remainder of this winter, but also for the future. I have had reports of empty grit bins in Kilbarchan and Howwood. Action to ensure that this is not repeated needs to be taken.

BIN COLLECTIONS: Another consequence of the bad weather post Christmas, has been disruption to bin collections.

This has highlighted one of the implications of the Council’s decision to reduce the frequency of grey bin collections to every 3 weeks. Some residents with families have reported grey bins overflowing at the end of the current 2 week cycle, and for them this reduction will be problematic. Households will also receive a second recycling bin and for many the issue will be space to accommodate it. It is clear that these changes which have already been approved, have not been thought through, and it is unacceptable that the views of residents have not been sought on an issue which affects every household in Kilbarchan, Howwwood and Lochwinnoch. I will continue to press for a public consultation to take place prior to implementation.

HERITAGE FUND: Paisley may not have been successful in its City of Culture Bid, however funding is still available from the Councils Culture Heritage and Events Fund. This funding must not be confined to Paisley, and the villages need to be equal beneficiaries. The deadlines for the next two rounds of applications are February 10th and May 10th respectively.

Bill Binks reports: BROWNFIELD SITES: At the recent Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board meeting, we were advised of the Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy for 2018. The objective was to prioritise the development of Brownfield and previously used land to encourage sustainable economic growth, enhance places and meet housing needs across Renfrewshire. It remains a priority to reuse and redevelop land across Renfrewshire and is monitored on an annual basis. It goes without saying that this system reduces the need to consider green field sites for possible development. I hope over the next few weeks to list all the identified sites within ward 9 and present them to the appropriate community councils for interest and discussion purposes.

FLY TIPPING: Did you know that Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) research paper (May 2017) asserted that in Scotland fly tipping was estimated to cost at least £11million of tax payers money on clearance, disposal and enforcement activities. The Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board set up a review to assess the extent of fly tipping in Renfrewshire.

The Lead Reviewer will liaise with those invited to present to the Board on this topic in March and will ensure that members have an opportunity to consider any questions they may wish to explore further. So this is your opportunity to help out. If you know of any regular fly tipping sites or incidents in your area then please let us know.

DAY CENTRE CLOSURE: I am deeply concerned that the issue of the proposed closure of the Whitehaugh and West Lane Gardens Day Centres has still not been resolved to the satisfaction of the users and carers, who rely on these facilities, and have no wish whatsoever to have to look elsewhere for a similar service. We as elected representatives of this Council voted unanimously to retain these two centres at our Council meeting on the 30th August last year.

Despite this overwhelming support, the IJB (an unelected body) refuse to even consider our proposals and are intent on forging ahead with the closures without consideration. We must continue to fight this decision and would value your continued support.

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Charity Bulbs and Plants for Sale

In support of the roof fund at St Mary’s What could be nicer than a splash of early spring colour on your doorstep? Bring your own container and come and plant it up with us, choosing from a wide range of flowering plants and colourful spring bulbs suitable for indoor and outdoor use, window boxes and rockeries: Alternatively pick out your favourites and take them away to plant at home.

A variety of odd pots will also be available, as will some pots already planted up.

All the plants and bulbs supplied will flower during March and April and filled containers will make ideal presents for Mothering Sunday (March 11th) and Easter (April 1st). The plants will be available from February 24th.

Contact Viola McGrowbag 07756 935923 to book a day and a time to visit to suit you and to get directions, as there is limited parking.

Minimum charge of £3 with all money going to the St Mary’s Port Glasgow Roof Fund.

Coffee, Tea and Biscuits available.

Your Ward 9 Councillors ... for Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderlsie

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Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2018

supporting St Vincent’s 30 years of care and support

In tribute to St Vincent Hospice, - an organization that has cared for and supported many people in and around Lochwinnoch for the past 30 years - the Festival is hosting a number of fundraising events. One not to miss is "Everyone should come to Sing for St Vincent’s" (No talent or experience required!).

Sing for St Vincent’s with Lochwinnoch Choral Society Sunday 18th March Parish Church 2pm to 4pm

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kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Lochwinnoch SWI The February meeting of Lochwinnoch SWI is on 21st February at 7.30pm in the McKillop Hall. Julie Scott from Morrison’s Supermarket is giving a talk on “Fruit and Vegetables”.

Calling On all previous Miss Lilias’ to help us celebrate 50 continuous years of Lilias Day It’s 50 years since a committed group of parents revived modern day Lilias Day after a lapse in the annual event during the war and post war years. To celebrate we are calling on all previous Miss Lilias’ to join the 2018 Lilias Day parade and to feature in this years brochure. We already have our very first Miss Lilias, Fiona Jackson (nee Liddel) on board and looking forward to meeting many more of you.

If you were a previous Miss Lilias, or know anyone who was, please get in contact with us at info@liliasday.co.uk.

We are also looking for nominations for this years Miss Lilias. Please send your nominations to the above email address telling why you, or the person you are nominating, would make a great Miss Lilias. The closing date for nominations is the 1st March.

Other important dates on the Lilias Day calendar: Historic Parade costume fitting - 12 - 2pm, Sunday 11th March, The Old library Centre, Kilbarchan. Take part in one of Scotland’s oldest historic parades. From Habbie Simpson to the boy who lay the foundation stone of the Statute of Liberty, the Lilias Day parade tells the story of the rich history of the village.

Stall holders booking evening - 7 - 9pm, Tuesday 13th March, The Old Library Centre, Kilbarchan. Secure your pitch at one of the best fundraising events in the area. Each year Lilias Day raises tens of thousands of pounds for local organisations and charitable causes.

Lilias Day - Saturday 2nd June Keep up to date with all the latest news on this years event and Lilifest by visiting our website www.liliasday.co.uk

Some new ideas on our Five-aDay will be most welcome after the excesses of the Festive season!

There is a warm welcome to all members and friends. For further information contact Elma Richmond at 843193 or richmond32@tiscali.co.uk kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

The Third Lochwinnoch Golf Club Tea Dance

The third free Tea Dance in support of Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly Village will be on Friday 2nd March 2pm till 4.30pm. Come and dance, sing and have fun with the fantastic ‘Music Box’ and enjoy a lovely afternoon tea from Janice and her team! Donations at the event!!

For more info contact Morag on 07868752814

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Winners of the Christmas 2017 Odd Men shop windows were

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Kilbarchan

During the month of February, the group has 2 meetings. The first is a joint meeting with guests from Houston and Bridge of Weir groups, with a speaker, the Archivist from Quarriers. The following meeting is on the topic “The Wives of Famous Johns or Williams” and should be lighthearted and interesting. We would be delighted to welcome new members, please phone 703786 for more information or see the website: www.nwr.org.uk

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

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

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

Chloe and Lucy Runciman Watch out for the next competition at the 2018 Arts Festival £20 token for La Dolce Vita chip shop!!

kilbarchan, howwood, lochwinnoch & elderslie

Everyone welcome let’s make this a huge event!!

We invite you to help fill the Parish church, to join with the Lochwinnoch Choral Society and really raise the roof! We'd love the whole community to join together and sing for St. Vincent's and help this fantastic charity celebrate 30 years of service to our community.

t: 01505 613340

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie

Knitting Bee

Meets fortnightly on a Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm at Knit Knax, 37 High Street Johnstone, also weekly Thursday from 2pm to 4pm.

Contact: Pamela 07743 156738 or email bknitting@hotmail.co.uk.

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Crafty Friends Crafty Hobbies is what we do Come and join our Crafty crew Come & learn some Crafty makes Followed by some tea and cakes We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays in the month at 7.30pm in the Carrick Centre Houston.

No previous craft experience necessary. We are just a group of ladies who enjoy making things! Contact - Lorna Cairns 612844 or Shirley White 610721. houston, crosslee & brookfield

New Sewing Class Got a sewing machine but never used it or just lost confidence?

Do you want to know how to raise/lower a hem or change a broken zip? We might just have the solution. A new SEWING CLASS has started in the Village Hall Library on a Tuesday evening from 7 - 9pm. Come along and learn essential techniques every Beginner or Refresher Sewer should know. £10 per class.

Places for 6-week block must be booked in advance. Contact brookfieldvpa@gmail.com for more information or to book a place. houston, crosslee & brookfield

Houston & Killellan Kirk

H.O.S.T. The Carrick Centre, Houston (Houston Old School Trust) Monday to Friday Woodlands Out of School 01505 615438 Coffee Shop Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm | Sat 9am - 4pm MONDAY Yoga (Weekly) @ 1pm - Mary Laidlaw 01505 229112 | Diaporama 12th @ 7.30pm | Young Farmers 12th / 19th @ 7pm | Sewing Group (Weekly) @ 10am - 12noon TUESDAY Paint Pot Tots (Weekly) @ 10am - Dawn Campbell 07789 262350 | Galaxy Dance (Weekly) @ 4pm - 7pm | Yoga (Weekly) @ 7pm - M/s Lawson 01505 613690 | Councillor Surgery 1st Tues (6th) @ 6.45pm – 7.30pm | WRADS 27th @ 7.30pm (MH) WEDNESDAY Big Kids Little Learners (Weekly) @ 10am – 11am - Janine Neil 07870 697010 | Gryffe Melody Makers 7th / 21st @ 7pm | Community Council 21st @ 7.30pm | Gryffe Camera Club (Weekly) @ 7.30pm | Galaxy Dance (Weekly) @ 4pm – 7pm THURSDAY Gryffe Quilting Group (Weekly) @ 1.15pm - 3.15pm (15th - 10am) | Primary Colours (Weekly) @ 3.30pm – 4.30pm | Crafty Friends 1st / 15th @ 7.30pm | Folk Club (weekly) @ 8pm - iaintdawson@gmail.com 07786 078952 | Baby Massage 1st @ 12.30pm - 2.30pm

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Houston & Killellan Agricultural Society The A.G.M. Of Houston and Killellan Agricultural Society will be held on Monday 5th February at 7.30pm in the Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston. houston, crosslee & brookfield

Houston & Killellan Kirk Carnival Saturday 12th May Once again it is time to start thinking about this years Carnival and we can reveal that the theme will be BLUE PLANET. The organizers of the Carnival are exploring different ideas for stalls and entertainment .More details will be in next months Advertiser.

FRIDAY Yoga (Weekly) @ 10.30am M/s Lawson 01505 613690 | Big Kids Little Learners (Weekly) @ 1pm – 2pm Janine Neil 07870 697010 | Galaxy Dancing (Weekly) @ 3.30pm - 7pm (early finish 2nd) | M.P. Surgery Gavin Newlands 2nd Fri (9th) @ 12.30pm – 1.30pm | Carrick Nights Spring Concert Fri 2nd @ 8pm SATURDAY Galaxy Dancing (Weekly) @ 9.30am - 5pm | Councillors Surgery 1st Sat (10th) @ 11.30 – 12noon SUNDAY Baptist Church (Weekly) @ 11am and 6pm Booking enquiries to: Ian Simpson 01505 612203 Bill Haddow 01505 690693 Stewart Scally 01505 674277 hostbooking@outlook.com or The Coffee Shop

World Day of Prayer This year the World Day of Prayer will be held in Houston and Killellan Kirk on Friday 2nd March at 7.30pm. Everybody will be made most welcome.

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Who, Why, How? Are you interested in discussing who we are, why we are here, predestination or free will, western philosophy versus eastern philosophy? We meet in Fox and Hounds once a fortnight.

Contact 01505 871343 or 07463 570464 or email avril. forbes2015@outlook.com. houston, crosslee & brookfield

Houston & Crosslee SWI On Wednesday 14th February we are looking forward to our annual meal out which this year will be in The Houston Inn. At our March meeting to be held on Wednesday 14th we will hear all about The Paisley Thread Museum.

houston, crosslee & brookfield

Parlez Vous Francais

We meet in the Compass Centre, South Street, Houston on the second Wednesday of the month.

Please come and join us, you will be made very welcome. If you wish further information please contact, Arlene MacKay on 07932 459994.

French Conversation group meets every Wednesday from 9.30am till 12noon at Fox & Hounds.

Informal tuition same venue 2pm - 4pm. Phone 01505 871 343, 07463 570464 or email avril. forbes2015@outlook.com

Your Ward 10 Councillor ... for Houston, Crosslee, Brookfield & Linwood

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Brookfield News WILMA CONNELL RODGER BUCHANAN MALCOLM: 26th July 1930 – 26th December 2017 We were sad to learn of the death of Mrs Wilma Malcolm who passed away peacefully at home on Boxing Day. A long time resident of Brookfield and wife of Mr Donald Malcolm, Wilma was born at Linhead Farm, Uplawmoor, the fourth of six children born to Andrew and Wilma Buchanan. She remembered the war vividly, watching the bombing of Clydebank with her dad from the top of the farm. The farm also used prisoners of war as labour and she had many stories from those days.

Wilma was the only one of the girls to leave the farm to work. She was always brilliant at arithmetic, having a brain like a calculator and learned shorthand, typing and bookkeeping so went to work at the market, which she loved. She remembered getting a pink jumper, a blue jumper, pink and blue socks and a grey skirt and feeling very sophisticated or the ‘bees knees’ as she recounted.

Their social life revolved around the Young Farmers where all five girls met their husbands, Donald Malcolm being the only non-farmer. They married on 23rd January 1957 and Wilma got a taste of things to come as their honeymoon was spent travelling around Lancashire where Donald spent hours bartering for lorries, while she stayed in the car reading. A pattern that continued when their children were born as most of their family holidays were spent in Blackpool during the Glasgow Fair so they could visit friends and Donald could buy lorries.

It was during one of these holidays that the family of six got into a lift with Tessie O’Shea, a music hall star of impressive proportions, who tried to sell Donald her diet book. She then turned to Wilma asking if she was famous as she thought she recognised her, to which an awe struck Wilma replied the immortal words, “Not I, I am but a simple housewife!”

Wilma had her four children - Wilma, Walter, Andrew and Marion - within four years, which must have been hard work especially as when one got ill, they all did. Mumps all round in St Andrews, Chickenpox times four when Andrew was just a baby etc etc. In those early years, she was a full time wife and mother with few other interests apart from regularly visiting her parents and her sisters. The Buchanan girls were close knit and Granny Buchanan did the rounds of staying with her daughters only moving to the next when all the grandchildren where she was staying had a new knitted jumper!

The business in the early years revolved in and around the family home, and as the family grew, employees became friends and were in and out of the house all day. Even in retirement, many of these old friends still called in to visit.

As the children got older and she had a bit more time, Wilma spread her wings becoming more involved with other mums in the village. She tried different classes but then discovered her love of and skill at curling, which became a real passion. Donald had to get used to dinner in the oven, or worse - microwave!

Donald & Wilma were best friends as well as husband and wife, as all great marriages are. When Donald died in 2003, she really struggled to adjust and to find meaning and purpose without him.

Let's hear from our Councillors Audrey Doig reports: SPEEDING: Members of Houston Community Council asked me to lobby Renfrewshire Council to conduct a speed survey due to concern raised about speeding in the Brierie Hills area of Crosslee. I am pleased to report that the council officers have now given me the results which showed that there was an average speed of 20mph in the northbound direction, and an average speed of 29mph in the southbound direction. While both figures are within the legal speed limit the latter one is only just, so I would strongly urge all drivers to travel with caution, and give due regard to both other drivers and pedestrians in the Brierie Hills area.

PLANNING: Planning remains a high concern for many in the Houston, Brookfield, and Crosslee area who cherish their unique local character. Some good news on the planning front is that the Council has agreed to revise how it looks at planning applications and now wants a more streamlined approach which will give more weight to the Local Development Plan, and make it easier for Councillors to oppose controversial planning applications. This should also make it easier to defend the integrity of greenbelt land.

Join a community clean up

Since having a stroke last May, the family were aware that Wilma gradually disappeared from them and they found it heart breaking to watch such a vibrant, smart, busy woman, loving mother, mother in law and grandmother fade away. Like Donald before her though, there were always glimmers of the feisty, capable woman in language only her husband could have taught her. Her carers especially were treated to her colourful expletives and yet they all loved caring for her. The family are indebted to these women who allowed Wilma to be at home and to die in her own bed surrounded by all that she loved, as she wanted to do.

CHUCKIE LANE Those residents who frequently use Chuckie Lane will have noticed how much improved it is. The initial work was instigated by Virgin Media who agreed to make good following the installation of the superfast broadband cables up the centre of the lane which provided the most direct route to reach the houses in Sandholes Road and The Beeches. The surface was reinstated to a higher standard and the banks of the burn, which were slowly collapsing, were shored up with Gabion baskets to prevent any further erosion.

The only residents of the Lane, Jill and Ian Campbell decided to further enhance the look by the removal of a hawthorn hedge, thereby making the Lane wider and improving access. Additional improvements included painting the fence, installing decorative stonework and the planting of flagpole cherry trees and which should look splendid in the spring! Jill and Ian would like to thank Virgin Media, local contractor Sam Lamb and his team for all their time, energy and hard work and Andrew Malcolm for his interest and generously supplying the stonework materials.

Community Information Event A Community Information Event will be held in the Village Hall on FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY from 2pm – 4pm.

Come and find out useful information from various local agencies and services. Afternoon teas.

Facebook: brookfieldvillage.org

Twitter: @BrookfieldVPA

e-mail: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com

Community and local groups play a vital role in keeping our towns, villages and countryside clean and tidy.

Renfrewshire Council are co-ordinating these in the Team up to Clean Up campaign. If you are having a community clean up, please let them know via the dedicated number on 0300 300 1375 which operates between 11am-10pm (Sun-Thurs) and 1pm-12am (Fri/ Sat) If you would like to coordinate your own community clean up please contact RC and they will provide you with: • waste bags • litter pickers • high-vis vests • protective gloves • graffiti removal kits • and arrange to remove all of the litter after it has been collected.

IMPORTANT: Needles (Sharps)

houston, crosslee & brookfield

The onset of dementia in the past few years actually healed some of her grief and she enjoyed the odd little outing. She loved going to Nardini’s in Largs for ice cream and although she sometimes had difficulty remembering her children’s names, she knew every farm and who had lived there on the route home through Dalry, Stewarton and Uplawmoor.

Please note that members of public, or Clean Up Teams should NOT pick up needles. If a needle is found, please contact the Wardens Service on 0300 300 0300 detailing the location and they will arrange for safe removal.

Litter picking at certain locations may be dangerous so please ensure that you have considered the steps that you need to take to keep volunteers safe. Remember you may need to seek approval of the landowners before carrying out a clean up.

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Renfrew Speakers Club-Grand Final S3 Youth Speech Competition Grand Final This took place recently in the Normandy Hotel Renfrew and was again organised by the Renfrew Speakers Club. The winners and runner ups from schools in Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde in their respective Council Competitions took part in a Grand Final to battle it out to win the coveted John Richardson Quaich.

For the Grand Final the teams were given a choice of Topics. The winning team was Team 4 from Gryffe High School in Renfrewshire who chose to speak on: AI (artificial Intelligence) is developing very quickly for example in driverless cars. How do you think AI will affect our lives in 10 years’ time?

EVERY

MONDAY

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers McKillop Hall, 9.45am - 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

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, 9.15am - 11.30am Gryffe High School take hold of Quaich Trophy

They are shown in the photograph from left to right; Claire Creighton, East Renfrewshire Council’s Education Quality Improvement Officer, next to her is the Chairperson David Brennan, then the Main Speaker holding the Quaich-Ewan Mitchell, followed by Sarah Feechan who carried out the Vote of Thanks and then on the RHS Peter Macleod, Renfrewshire Council’s Director of Children’s Services.

In describing the Competition Teams’ efforts Graham McLachlan, Renfrew Speakers Club and a previous President of the British Association of Speakers Clubs said, “It is becoming more and more difficult to get a job and the person who stands out will get the job. The standard was extremely high. Public Speaking, this ability to converse takes everything.”

The Chief Judge Hunter Wilson, Renfrew Speakers Club, complimented the Teams saying, “They should be proud of themselves in their achievements and there was hope for the country; they had been helped by the support of parents and teachers. The speeches were well researched and delivered.”

Items of importance were: team work, any combined team effort this was what counts, clarity, pausing with brief stops and avoiding what appears to be a West of Scotland problem of speaking too quickly and what was worth watching was the voice dropping off by not using your notes effectively.

EVERY TUESDAY

Kilbarchan Tots

Kilbarchan Scout Hall, 10am-12noon £2 contribution. Tea, coffee & biscuits.

Bridge of Weir Toddlers

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW

Pop along and see us from 9.30am - 11.30am

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

The bar has been raised all the time. The bad news for the Judges is, however, the Competition has been very tight. The Competition Chairman Bill Leeming, Renfrew Speakers Club said it had been a wonderful contest with very high standards.

McKillop Hall, 9.45am - 11.30am

The John Richardson Quaich Trophy had been donated by the late Beth Richardson of Renfrew Ladies Speakers Club in memory of her late husband. Each year the previous winners, in this case St Columba’s High School, Gourock and their teacher Anne Devlin was presented with an Ice Wedge Trophy commemorating their previous winning of this Quaich Trophy.

EVERY THURSDAY

All parties were winners and as a token of appreciation they would be awarded a Gift Voucher. Bill Leeming gave a Vote of Thanks to all who had taken part in the Completion and particularly to all of our Sponsors who were the 3 Local Authorities, DYW West –Developing the Young Workforce and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce as without their financial backing it would not be possible for us to run these Competitions.

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

Howwood Playgroup

Howwood Church Hall, 9.45am - 11.35am

Houston Toddlers

Church Hall, Main Street, Houston

Pop along and see us from 9.30am - 11.30am

Kilmacolm Playgroup

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

Howwood Playgroup

Howwood Church Hall, 9.45am - 11.35am

EVERY

Duchal Nursery School

Langbank Playgroup

We’ve had a great start to the year beginning our “people who help us” topic, learning about all the different people that help us in our every day lives. We have our own Duchal Hospital in our imagination corner, with many doctors and nurses helping out the willing patients. Hopefully when our local GP and practice nurse come in for their visit they will be impressed with their young trainees!!

Langbank Under 3’s

New Entries to Duchal: We are now beginning to offer places for the new intake for August 2018. If your child will be of nursery age after the summer and you are looking at your pre school options, please do get in touch to have an informal look around. With our extended hours (8.15am – 3.30pm daily) offering greater flexibility of care and our purpose built facilities, Duchal nursery, is a fantastic place to begin your child’s pre-school education. Please take a look at our website for more information – www.duchal.com and find us on Facebook. If you would like to come and visit the Nursery and meet the teachers please contact us on 01505 874358 or email info@duchal.com.

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

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FRIDAY

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

Contact Jen Burrows 07947 983025.

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

Baby and Toddler Group

Elderslie Kirk, Main Rd, Elderslie, 9.30am - 11.30am

£2 includes children’s snack and tea/coffee.

Lots of different toys to play with. All welcome.

Community Bookbug Sessions

Livingstone Hall at St Columba’s Junior School, Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm.

From 9.30 - 10am

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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Lochwinnoch Primary School Lochwinnoch Primary School had a very busy and cheerful festive period.

We organised our very first Christmas Fayre and there was a great turnout! We raised lots of money from games, class stalls and a raffle and visitors were treated to tea, coffee and mince pies after they had finished their shopping. The raffle prizes were all kindly donated by local businesses and we just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped with donations or with organising the fayre.

The second last week of term saw us all turn up to school in our pyjamas and we had a Christmas movie afternoon as a special festive treat. It was so funny to see all the children in their onesies and they enjoyed watching Elf together and eating the popcorn kindly provided by the Parent Council.

We also enjoyed a school talent show where we had a variety of acts performing.

This included guitar playing, singing, piano playing, dancing and even one boy who played the chanter! The talent at Lochwinnoch Primary School is just endless.

Primary 6 managed to achieve their Playmakers Award last term.

They have been working closely with active school coaches, learning the skills needed to help set up clubs and coach younger children.

This will hopefully help them to gain more responsibility in school and help to provide sporting opportunities for the younger children.

Kilmacolm Primary School It has been a busy start to 2018 at Kilmacolm Primary School with lots of fun and exciting events to start the new school term. We started the year with a BANG and a BOOM as the school held science focus week.

During the week each class studied a different aspect of science as well as participating in daily hands on science experiments. Primary 4 were busy creating electric circuits where they were connecting batteries, bulbs and switches. Primary 1 were learning about the five senses, Primary 6 were investigating the respiratory system and Primary 7 have been learning about the water cycle, carrying out evaporation and condensation experiments. The pupil’s favourite experiments were the chemical reactions, we loved adding water to a vitamin C tablet then watching the resulting explosion! The whole school has really caught the science bug and we can’t wait to learn more!

Our extra-curricular school clubs have restarted and there is a wide range of activities to keep everyone fit and active. There are different clubs taking place every lunchtime and after school, so if you fancy taking part in Tae-Kwando, Basketball, Athletics, Football, Gymnastics, Golf, Dance or Netball come along. Good luck to the KPS athletics team who are competing in the Inverclyde Schools Athletics competition.

A new addition to our school is our Cooking Classroom. We now have 5 fabulous portable cookers and a wide range of cooking utensils. All classes have been learning about food hygiene and preparation. We have been learning about food allergies and food intolerances, ensuring we keep everyone safe when we are cooking. Primary 6 were keen to test drive our new equipment and they donned their aprons to chop vegetables, grate cheese and created delicious sandwiches. Everyone can’t wait to get cooking.

P4-P7 attended the Beacon Pantomime Snow White, this was funded by our fantastic PTF. We had a brilliant time and were delighted when two cast members, Jane McCarry and Mark Cox visited our school.

Aye Write! Is back from 15th - 25th March with an amazing line-up and more venues than ever before.

Among the authors appearing at Aye Write! This year are a pre-festivals return to Glasgow for Ruby Wax before Sir Chris Bonington, Peggy Seeger, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Robert Peston, Maggie O’ Farrell, Val McDermid, Brett Anderson, Professor A.C. Grayling, Evan Davis, Shami Chakrabarti, Graeme Obree, Jo Swinson all discuss their latest work and Neil MacGregor, formerly director of the British Museum gives the Tannahill Lecture.

Composer Sir James MacMillan, Lawyer Aamer Anwar, Scotland’s Makar Jackie Kay and Dr Adele Patrick all discuss “The books that made me”. Also returning are Aye Tunes, Aye Con and Aye Write! Introduces.

In total, well over 200 authors will be taking part in Aye Write! 2018.

Wee Write! Family Days will be held on 3rd and 4th March for the young book worms in your life!

Aye Write! Venues include The Mitchell Library, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Centre for Contemporary Arts, the Glasgow Film Theatre, City Halls, Glasgow University and Tramway.

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Scottish Tales Enthrall Thai School Sharing Scotland’s rich culture through story as well as song and dance, with people in other parts of the world, has always been a passion of Kilbarchan based Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland storyteller Anne Pitcher. So when she was asked to share some of Scotland’s stories and culture with an entire Primary School in southern Thailand, she leapt at the challenge.

Although Thailand’s culture is very different from that of Scotland, the whole school from the youngest children in the Kindergarten to the older ‘Pratom’ pupils in the upper school, embraced the experience with enormous enjoyment and enthusiasm. Anne had the privilege of providing an hour and a half of storytelling training for some of the staff too.

She told stories in a traditional Scottish kilt, with a back drop of the St Andrew’s and lion rampant flags, tartan bunting made from material donated by Houston’s kilt makers in Paisley and pictures of different Scottish scenes. Anne also brought with her, many puppets and props, including a child sized Scottish fairy puppet, a Broonie, which delighted the pupils.

Each class heard traditional Scottish stories and also joined in with Scottish songs and dances. Having asked for advice about storytelling in Thailand from Dr Wajuppa Tossa, an eminent storyteller and retired university professor, she suggested that Anne have a translator on the day, even though all pupils learn English in the school. Jane Ting, wife of the Depute Head, who is bi-lingual, did an outstanding job of translating although she had never ever done anything like that before.

Anne brought a taste of Scotland with her, giving the school of a book of traditional Scottish stories, some of which she had told, a Highland dancer doll, Scottish shortbread and the tartan bunting.

The school Director, Jinaporn Sangthong, gave Anne gifts of a locally made batik sarong and a jacket from northern Thailand saying “The children will never forget their experience of Scottish stories, song and dance – it was a wonderful day for both pupils and staff” Anne enthused “It was just amazing to see all these young Thai children and staff, so wholeheartedly enjoying Scottish culture – I’d love to share that experience with children in other parts of the world too!” Let’s hope she gets a chance to do that in the future.

Save our Kilmacolm Playgroup

Bishopton Scout Group This was our busiest year with 252 Christmas trees picked up and recycled thank you all for your support.

Thanks also to Hamilton Brothers Bishopton who provided the chipper again this year for recycling the trees.

We expanded into new areas this year adding Houston and Bridge of Weir which led to uplifts in Quarriers, Brookfield and 1 out at Kilmacolm The money raised will go to providing adventurous activities within the Explorer section (14 to 17 year olds) of Bishopton Scouts Bishopton Scout Group run all sections from Beavers on to Cubs then Scouts on to Explorers and finally Network.

If you have a young person wanting to join the adventure or you want to join in with the adventure by volunteering to help please get in touch and we can advise on section age groups and how you can make a difference by being involved with Bishopton Scout Group Contact our Group Scout Leader Iain Fyfe for more information. gsl@ bishoptonscouts.org.uk If you would like more information about Sections or Groups within the Renfrewshire District please contact the District Commissioner Ian Hunter dc@renfrewshirescouts.org.uk Thanks again for your support ~ Bishopton Explorers

Gryffe High School Active Communities Firewalk On Saturday the 14th January, seven pupils and Miss Rowan took part in a Firewalk ran by the organisation Headstrong to raise money for Active Communities. All participants took part in a workshop focused on identifying thoughts that lead to negative feelings and trying to overcome these. Pupils were faced with the challenge of breaking a wooden arrow using their necks!

The night culminated with pupils walking over coals at a temperature of 600 to 800 degrees Celsius. It was a fantastic night of overcoming fear and celebrating in success. The money raised will go towards Active Communities new health hub in Johnstone which looks to improve the wellbeing of those in Renfrewshire by offering support and encouraging people to get involved in the local community.

S6 pupil Alex Evans who took part said ‘overall the firewalk experience was really rewarding, as not only did we learn ways to tackle fear and have a sense of achievement, but I also know that the achievement will go to help others’.

Miss H. Rowan on behalf of the Citizenship Committee

These smiling faces do not know that their beloved playgroup may be weeks away from closure. Running for almost half a century this wonderful village asset has helped thousands of children gain confidence in their first steps towards nursery. Unfortunately staff shortages mean that this wonderful village asset may not last until Easter. Committee members are eager to hear from anyone who might be interested in the position of Senior Playleader. A management level in childcare is desirable but an SVQ level 3 is a start. Hours are 12 a week. Please send your CV to ronacakes@gmail.com – or alert anyone else you know who might be interested. See our advert in the classified section.

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St Columba’s School A Musical Celebration Last month St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm, hosted their biennial Musical Celebration at Greenock Town Hall. With performances from our choirs, soloists, jazz band and pipe band, to name but a few, this wonderful community event showcased the musical talent at St Columba’s and certainly blew the audience away. St Columba’s would like to thank EDF Energy and David Wilson Homes for their kind sponsorship allowing over £2,000 to go towards the St Columba’s Foundation.

Ski Trip At the beginning of January some pupils enjoyed a trip to Alpendorf, Austria, to practice their skiing. Whether it was taking on black runs, admiring the wonderful views of the Alps or visiting the historical city of Salzburg, it is safe to say a wonderful time was had by all!

Senior VI Get Motivated Senior VI enjoyed a motivational weekend in Drymen on the 13th and 14th of January. This weekend offers challenging team-building tasks and ensures that pupils will be more than ready to embrace all opportunities that come their way upon leaving St Columba’s. As well as team-building activities there was a Murder Mystery Dinner and former pupils came along to speak to Senior VI and share their experiences of life after St Columba’s.

Open Day: Thursday 1st March, 9am-3pm Ranked fourth in the Sunday Times league table of top Scottish Independent Secondary Schools in 2017, St Columba’s School is renowned for its first class education and academic excellence.

With representation on the Scottish Hockey team, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Scottish Debating Team, St Columba’s leads the way both in the classroom and on the field. It is with dedicated teaching, mentoring and pastoral care that every pupil can aspire to greatness.

Our size is also our strength. With around 700 pupils aged 3-18, each child is known by name and recognised as an individual.

There is no better way to experience the true atmosphere of St Columba’s School than to come and see it for yourself. Our Open Day provides the perfect opportunity for prospective and current families to see our Early Years, Junior and Senior Schools in action. Please do come along from 9am3pm and let our pupils show you what makes St Columba’s so special. 

wraparound care from 7.30am-6pm financial assistance dedicated coach service 



www.st-columbas.org

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Houston Toddlers Lovely to see old and new faces at toddlers since we started back in January. We are all busy making new friends and enjoying having fun while its pretty miserable outside.

We have some valentines crafts on offer on the 8th February so come along to make something special for someone special!

We welcome all children age between 0 - 4 years old, together with their parents, grandparents or carers to join in with the games, crafts and play on offer every Thursday. The children can enjoy playing, making friends and of course snack time while the adults can catch up with a cuppa.

We meet between 9.30am - 11.30am so come along when you are ready to the West Hall, Main street Houston PA67EL (next to the Carrick centre) ~ We look forward to meeting you all!

Houston Primary School

Bridge of Weir Primary

Scotland Street School

The festive season is always busy in school and this year was no exception. Hopscotch Theatre Company put on an impressive pantomime for the whole school and all stages had great fun at their class parties (Santa even managed to fit in visits to the nursery, P1 and 2 despite his busy schedule!).

The pupils of Primary 6 have been learning about the Victorians and to enhance their learning, Mrs. Conaghan, Miss Brown and Miss Adam arranged a trip to Scotland Street School. The pupils made comparisons with the classrooms and the teachers, and are very glad to be attending Houston Primary in the present day.

Maths Whizz Lewis Edge of Primary 5 took part in the Sumdog online challenge to complete 1000 math questions in a week. He did this and scored an amazing 968 achieving an overall 4th place within Renfrewshire. Well done!

Solar Lamps Last year Houston Primary School donated £400 to purchase solar lamps for pupils in Zambia. They are now on their way to a school in Mwandi and should arrive by February.

This means that there is now sufficient lighting for each pupil in years 9 and 12 to study. We aim to support this worth while cause again this year.

Happy Reading!

Pupils at Houston Primary School and Nursery are being encouraged to nurture a lifelong love of books and reading through a new challenge set by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The challenge will encourage children to read as many books as possible each year from a selection chosen by a special panel of academics, experts and teachers, with the First Minister’s chosen book taking the first place on the list.

The pupils in P4-7 will record their reading progress in a reading passport and be encouraged to write a short review of the books they read.

In the Nursery the pupils take a book home to read each week.

For every story read they place a ping pong ball in their group jar and then they count them to see which group has read the most books.

Our Christmas jumper day raised lots of money for the St Vincent’s Hospice and Primary 7 pupils showed real Christmas spirit by writing personal seasonal stories for their P1 buddies.

Our Christmas Celebrations may seem like a distant memory but we wanted to say a huge “well done” to all of the Primary 1 to 3 pupils who sang their hearts out in our nativity and “thank you” to everyone who came along, provided costumes and helped in so many different ways. Primary 4 to 7 also deserve credit for the very high standard which they achieved singing a real mix of challenging, unusual and entertaining Christmas songs.

There’s nothing quite like Christmas in a primary school!

We are very proud of two of our Primary 3 pupils whose artwork was selected for the Inspired exhibition at Paisley Museum & Art Galleries. This annual event showcases the best artwork from school pupils across Renfrewshire and will run until 15th April.

Anya and Elena created their work during art classes with Mrs Devine who accompanied them to a special preview reception for all the exhibitors. This was a really special event and the girls were very excited to attend.

As part of their learning in Health and Wellbeing Primary 2 pupils visited our local Tesco store in Linwood where they took part in a Food Trail to help them understand about the importance of a balanced diet They went shopping for healthy foods (although they had to put the items back!) and Cara and Connor in Primary 2b both agreed that the best part was getting to eat the fruit kebabs they made themselves. Many thanks to all of the staff at Tesco for facilitating this very worthwhile visit.

Strawberry Field Out of School Care We have had a very busy December with lots of Christmas activities, with our theme being I saw 3 ships go sailing by. We made our own ships and displayed them outside along with all our Christmas decorations. We also had a visit from Santa at our party and all got a nice present. Over the next few weeks we will be concentrating in finding out about Historic Houston with a variety of activities and visits planned.

Staff will be getting training on Physical activity and well-being which will further provide us with skills for getting children of all abilities to take part in, and overcome any barriers to getting active. The training will also look at further benefits for physical activity in terms of developing children’s skills and attributes and will look in more detail at resources and activities promoting inclusion, self-awareness and goal-directed behaviour.

If you wish to enquire about our Out of School Care please call us on 01505 615315 or alternatively email sam@sfnursery.com

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Pupils have their say in Hearty Lives initiative Young people are having their say on the food on their plates by helping develop healthier high school menus.

The health peer education project Hearty Lives is being delivered across all 11 Renfrewshire secondary schools by Paisleybased charity Active Communities.

Each school has appointed a teacher as a co-ordinator who works with a group of senior pupils to promote healthy eating and to make improvements for their fellow students.

The project is funded by Renfrewshire Council’s Tackling Poverty Fund and school catering staff have met regularly with the groups to develop high school menus.

A healthier breakfast service has been introduced to phase out traditional filled rolls in favour of choices such as toast, poached eggs and fruit, as well as reducing the size and availability of home baking options.

Healthy food choices are now more prominently displayed at serving areas with catering staff encouraged to ‘nudge’ pupils to make healthier choices.

At Johnstone High School, catering staff have also being working with the School Nutrition Action Group to offer taster sessions to pupils and parents, as well as reviewing the food choices on offer at break times.

Catering Manager Kerry O’Donnell said: “We had excellent feedback on the quality of food served in the canteen from the parents who attended the food taster session and we’re regularly reviewing the food choices on offer to help pupils to make healthier choices.”

Plans are also underway for outdoor seating in the school’s quadrangle area to encourage pupils to buy a healthy meal and stay on site.

First year pupil Alexis Malone, 12, said: “I came to the taster session with my family and we had the opportunity to taste different healthy foods which are now available from the canteen. Tasting the different foods has encouraged me to eat healthier foods at break and at lunchtime.”

The school’s Hearty Lives coordinator Ainsley Brown said: “The healthier school meals initiative is one of the main projects that our Young Health Ambassadors have been involved in and it has been very successful in encouraging all of our students to make healthier food choices.”

Student Rachel McGhee said: “Young Health Ambassadors were responsible for finding out the nutritional facts of different foods and then for creating nutritional themed displays within the canteen which make our fellow pupils aware of the health benefits of certain foods.”

Similar work is being carried out in all high schools with work experience also being offered in some school kitchens.

Renfrewshire Council is also working in partnership with West College Scotland to deliver a bespoke Cooking Skills training course open to all catering staff and designed around the school menu.

t: 01505 613340

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

Young people ready to showcase year of youth-led events

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Renfrewshire’s young people are gearing up for an amazing celebration of youth this year. The Year of Young People 2018 is a year-long programme of events and activities that will put a spotlight on the talents and contributions of young people.

The national-themed year is being delivered by the Scottish Government, working in collaboration with VisitScotland, EventScotland, Young Scot, Children in Scotland, Scottish Youth Parliament, Creative Scotland and YouthLink Scotland.

Young people have already been involved in the planning for the celebatory year, which focuses on culture, education, health and wellbeing, enterprise and regeneration, equality and diversity, and participation.

Councillor Jim Paterson, Renfrewshire Council’s Convener of Education and Children’s Services, said: “Renfrewshire already has a positive platform for young people to get involved in their community and this year will be a fantastic celebration of all they have already achieved as well as what young people can do. Having an effective youth voice that is listened to by decision-makers in Renfrewshire is important. Their voices matter and young people have already made significant changes that make their lives better.”

Renfrewshire Council’s youth services team are working alongside key partners and young people to create and develop a series of exciting opportunities to get involved in and show young people in a positive light. Councillor Paterson added: “Young people are very creative and we know that they have great ideas that bring communities together. During the Year of Young People, we will be supporting young people to take creative control of community events in the area.”

For more information on the Year of Young People, visit http://yoyp2018.scot and https://young.scot/ renfrewshire.

Walking challenge will take Bishopton Primary pupils around Scotland P7 pupils have started the year with an ambitious challenge – to walk their way around a virtual Scotland.

This fantastic undertaking, part of the national School Daily Mile campaign, is designed to improve children’s physical, social, emotional and mental health. Pupils have previously taken part in three School Daily Mile challenges – brisk walking, running and walking a lap alternatively and non-stop running.

The venture not only keeps them fit but also takes pupils on a journey of Scotland’s cultural history. As pupils total up the miles they have walked or ran they compare them with various locations around the country. They could find themselves at the Kelpies, the Wallace Monument, or for exceptionally energetic or wanderlust among them, even John O’Groats!

Inverclyde School Catchment Consultation underway A consultation has started on school catchment areas. Inverclyde Council education service is highlighting that the changes address ‘minor anomalies’ in catchment areas expected to affect as few as 12 pupils across Inverclyde The proposed changes have come about because of a move to a new online mapping system being developed by the council. In the consultation proposal document, the council highlights: “At present the school catchment areas for every Inverclyde schools are defined by listing all of the streets and addresses within a given catchment area. This is known as the street list. These street lists were originally compiled from historical maps of catchment areas.”

Inverclyde Council’s education convener, Councillor Jim Clocherty, urged residents and parents to have their say in the consultation. He said: “Although this consultation doesn’t propose major changes to catchment areas and addresses minor anomalies highlighted by new technology, it is important that residents, parents and others with an interest who may be affected by this find out more and have their say.

“The council’s education service has already written to every address affected by this proposal to alert them to this. The full consultation proposal, maps of the affected areas and a copy of the questionnaire are available online at the council website for anyone to view and download.”

It is estimated that the minor alterations being proposed would affect around 12 pupils across Inverclyde. The closing date for consultation responses on this consultation will be Tuesday 20th February 2018.

There will be two public meetings where residents and parents can find out more. They will be held on Wednesday 7th February 2018 in Notre Dame High School at 6.30pm and on Thursday 8th February 2018 in the Port Glasgow Community Campus at 6.30pm.

The full consultation document, maps and questionnaire are available at the consultation section of the council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay

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Bridge of Weir United

Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

December was a busy month of fundraising for the children.

We were pleased to be able to go round with the Bridge of Weir Festival Committee’s much loved Santa Wagon, raising a grand total of £475.75 for the club. The kids had a tremendous time running around giving out (and occasionally eating) sweeties while rattling the collection cans. A big thank you to the Festival Committee, and also to the coaches/parents who helped herd the children on the night!

The Weather, once again, reared it’s head and caused the cancellation of the Ladies Section AGM.

In the same week, some of the children and parents took part in a charity collection at Ibrox Stadium to raise funds for Ivy Rose Summers. Ivy Rose is a 5 year old girl who has cerebral palsy and needs stem cell treatment in the US. Ivy’s parents, originally from Bridge of Weir, need to raise £162,000 in order to fund the treatment, which is currently not available in the UK. Rangers FC were kind enough to allow fundraising before a match, and we are delighted to hear that over £4000 was donated by generous supporters on the day. Rangers informed Ivy Rose’s parents that this was by far the highest amount ever raised from a bucket collection at a game! For more information, or to donate, please visit Ivy Rose’s fundraising page at https:// www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ivyrosesummers The new season is upon us. Bridge of Weir Utd currently have teams for children born in 2007-2010, with new players always welcome to join. We are also running training sessions for children born in 2011 and 2012 but at the moment don’t have enough children to register teams, or any coaches to take charge of the teams. We would also be willing to start a 2013 team, but again need players and coaches. If your child would like to play in any of the age ranges, or if you would like to volunteer as a coach and/or first aider, we would be pleased to hear from you. This does require a regular commitment of a couple of hours a week during the season, but it is incredibly rewarding as you see the children develop. Any coaching/first aid/child protection etc. courses would be fully funded by the club, as would any kit required. If you would like further information please contact Joe Gibson on 07514 671904 or Ronnie Palin on 07584 275743.

F o r t u n a t e l y, Saturday 20th January saw a let up in the snow and 41 ladies braved the icy conditions to attend the rescheduled meeting.

Out going Captain, Pamela MacKenzie, recounted the events of 2017 while thanking her committee for all their support throughout the year before handing the Badge of Office to the incoming Ladies Captain Marion Munro.

Taking over proceedings, Marion introduced her Vice Captain for the year - Jan Macnab - who was warmly welcomed by the meeting.

The Prizes for 2017 were then presented

by Pamela - Gillian Donaghy Bronze Club Champion, Alison Templeton Bronze Knockout Champion, Allison Murray Silver Knockout Champion and Club Champion - Marion Munro.

Marion then gave a vote of thanks to all and in particular she mentioned her caddy Jan who, on Finals day, had kept her calm and grounded in such a big match.

The evening of 9th January was the Junior Section AGM presided over by Jack Snell.

Angus Frood was presented with the Trophy as Junior Champion for the 3rd year in a row while Ramsay McLeod was presented with the Trophy for overall winner of the 6 hole Sunday Medals.

Congratulations to both.

We are all looking forward to better weather and getting back onto the Golf Course!

Counting Down to the Biggest Bubble Rush Make one of your new year resolutions a fun one you can do with family and friends. It’s time to register for the foam-filled Bubble Rush and support your local hospice. The not to be missed event is taking place at Bellahouston Park on Sunday 6th May and is the biggest Bubble Rush event in the UK. Bubble Rush is an event full of laughter. Thousands of people are showered in multi-coloured bubbles and foam as they make their way along the 5k route. All the ‘bubblers’ have a great day out and, at the same time, raise valuable funds for hospice care. Last year over £11.5k was raised for Ardgowan Hospice to support those patients living with a life limiting illness and their families in the community of Inverclyde.

It is not a race and is aimed all ages. Hospice supporters can run walk or toddle around the route.

Alex Mula, Events and Fundraising Coordinator at Ardgowan Hospice, said, “Bubble Rush was a sell out last year as families jumped at the idea to try something new. The event makes everyone smile and have a good time together. It is the perfect way to inspire all ages to get fitter and take on challenges in 2018. We encourage you to register now to get your chance to be ‘bubbled’ this year. “ Adult tickets (16+) cost just £20 and juniors (4-15) can enter for £10, anyone under 4 can enter for free and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 juniors) can enter for £50. To sign up to Bubble Rush to support Ardgowan Hospice, visit http://www.princeandprincessofwaleshospice.org.uk/event-article/family-events/ bubble-rush or for more information please contact Alex on 01475 558888 or email fundraising@ardhosp.co.uk

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Active for Ardgowan It’s now February and many good intentions may have fallen by the wayside, but a way to feel better and resolve to get fitter and support the hospice is to take part in the Active for Ardgowan appeal.

Adding some ‘active’ time to your day can boost your mood and help you feel better. Active for Ardgowan is for everyone. It appeals to people training for a challenge. It also suits those who want to make a positive change in 2018 by adding something active into their day. This could include getting off the bus a stop earlier, taking the stairs or leaving the car and walking to the shops. Any money saved you can donate to the Hospice.

Ardgowan Hospice is inviting Inverclyde to sign up to an activity and gain sponsorship for a very worthy cause. Families can get involved with the Bubble Rush on May 6th – this is frothy and fun and only 5k that can be walked or ran.

Scotland is brimming with other active challenges, all of which can be run, swum, walked or cycled in aid of the Ardgowan Hospice.

Details of events are featured on the Hospice’s website https://ardgowanhospice.org. uk/support-your-local-hospice Alex Mula, Events and Fundraising Co-ordinator, Ardgowan Hospice said: “I have signed up for the Men’s 10k in Glasgow to raise money for the hospice and it also means I will get out and train in all weathers.”

If you want more ideas or information about how to take part in Active for Ardgowan please contact Elaine McNeill on 01475 558899 or email Ann-Marie Fry, Alex Mula (yellow top) & elaine.mcneill@ardhosp.co.uk Raymond Bain.

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Kilmacolm Golf Club - Ladies

Howwood Curling Club

Despite freezing conditions (-4) 34 ladies turned up to play in the Annual fun Christmas Cracker competition dressed in fabulous Merry Festive outfits and hats. The greensomes competition was over 7 holes (too icy to play any more!) and the very worthy winners were Maggie McKean and Morag Turner with a fabulous 19 stableford points; in second place was Sharen Wilson and Moira Boyle and in third place was our new Club Captain (first lady) Jane McDonald and Irene Hicks. The ladies retired to the club house where delicious party / festive food and mulled wine was served by our fabulous new chef Richard, the wonderful Roz and the willing and very able bar and kitchen staff.

Come & Try on 7th March Howwood Curling Club are always looking for new members to join our friendly curling club which meets at Greenacres, near Howwood. It is a great way to keep fit and socialise with people in a friendly atmosphere.

Current club members come from Renfrewshire, Glasgow and North Ayrshire. We are now looking for new players to play for the 2018/19 season.

We have organised a Come & Try session on Wednesday 7th March at 8.30pm at Greenacres Curling Club. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come along and try out curling. No experience is necessary.

Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or ability. We will provide a qualified coach to give you the tuition you need to try out curling. You will also meet with our club members and get to play. We will invite you to our closing bonspiel for the 2017/18 season on the 28th March if you continue to be interested following the Come & Try. All the equipment you need will be provided. The cost on the night for ice is £6.

Please contact Lachie Carmichael (see below) if you wish to attend lachiedcarmichael@hotmail.com 01294 823643

EVERY

MONDAY

Adult Jazz Class

Bridge of Weir, 10am

Sporting Blog

by Lesley Handley

Reasons why you should…

Johnstone Sports Complex PA5 0LD, 6pm Call 07951 365166 for details.

WEDNESDAY

Tel: 01505 690757 for further information.

EVERY

Zumba Light

Greenock Hockey Club

St Fillan’s Church, Kilmacolm, 10am.

Tel: 07505 126416 For More Information.

Adult Beginners Ballet Class Bridge of Weir, 11.30am

Tel: 01505 690757 for further information.

Kilbarchan Athletic Club On-X, Linwood, 7pm

There are so many different types of training and exercise that I thought I would go over some of the reasons why you should do certain things.

I plan on doing this over the next few issues so keep reading to find out about why you should do certain types of training. Not all types of training suit everyone so individually you may be suited to certain things.

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD LIFT WEIGHTS…  Essentially you will burn more calories. The physical act of lifting weights burns calories, but it also actually causes you to burn more calories daily even when resting. Boosting muscle mass means you body needs a lot more energy to maintain this, resulting in you burning more calories throughout the day.  Many other things in your life will improve as a result. Boosting muscle mass translates into everyday activities and you will start to find that carrying the shopping, picking your children up, cleaning the house, playing football with your kids all becomes a bit easier for you.  Reduced stress. Physical exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good. Strength training has been shown to decrease tension and anxiety, thereby also making it a great de-stressor.  Stronger bones. Strength training can help improve the health and strength of your bones and connective tissue by increasing bone density. As you get older this can be of great benefit as it can help to prevent osteoporosis and small fractures.  Improved posture. Lifting weights and training your whole body allows the strength of your body and range of motion overall to increase. This can assist in maintaining a more upright posture and a stronger core allowing you to stand taller.

Tel: 07505 126416 For More Information.

For all the other benefits of lifting weights and to read the full article head over to the FitSmart Fitness Facebook page (@fitsmartfitness).

Taekwon-Do

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

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 5.15, 6.15 & 7.30pm

Hatha Yoga

Large Hall, St Columba Church, 6.30 - 8pm Classes available to all levels. Tel: 07968 207272.

5-a-side Football

EVERY THURSDAY

Tel: Jim on 01505 874215; or jimbretherton@aol.com

On-X, Linwood, 7pm

Powerleague Paisley, 6pm

Old Skool Step Class

Freelands Church (Opposite Amaretto), 6.30pm.

Bridge of Weir Ladies Badminton

Kilbarchan Athletic Club All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.

Kilmacolm Walkers

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

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, 7.30pm

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 7.15pm

The Shotokan Karate Club

Callanetics

Brookfield Village Hall, 9.15am & 10.30am

Strathgryffe Motorcycle Club

Woodlands PS, Linwood, 7pm & 8pm

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

Hatha Yoga

Tweedie Halls, Linwood, 10 - 11am Classes available to all levels. Tel: 07968 207272.

Pilates classes

www.linwoodkarate.co.uk

Football Training

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

Taekwon-Do

Johnstone Sports Complex PA5 0LD, 6pm Call 07951 365166 for details

Baby Ballet

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm, Morning Call Gail Ashley on 07415 701667 for details

St Machars Church Hall, Bridge of Weir 9.30am & 10.40am. Kilmacolm community centre 6.30pm.

Tel Yvonne 07786 224367 or yvonne@ clydephysiotherapy.co.uk

Falun Dafa practice

Port Glasgow Library 17:00 - 19:00 With five gentle exercises, Falun Dafa is an ancient self-cultivation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.

FRIDAY

Boxercise

EVERY

£4 booking reqd Tel: 07983 557832 www.sifitness.co.uk

Callanetics

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm, 6pm - 7pm

EVERY TUESDAY

Bridge of Weir Walking Group

Brookfield Village Hall, 9.15am & 10.30am

Adult Tap Lessons

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm, Evening Call Gail Ashley on 07415 701667 for details

Lesley

Outside the Co-op, BoW, 10.30am 1 hour walks. Call Senga on 0141 842 3000.

EVERY

For more information or advice on personal training contact me on 0773 627 4925 or e-mail lesley@ fitsmartfitness.co.uk. Or visit www. fitsmartfitness.co.uk to find out about my online training system.

Gryffe Badminton

Birkmyre Rugby Club, Kilmacolm

Football Training

www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkmyre

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Strathgryffe Tennis Club, 8pm

SUNDAY

Youth Rugby Section, 11am - 1pm

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

info@advertizer.co.uk



01505 613340

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Sustrans Big Pedal 2018 Sustrans Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge inspiring pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school.

Sustrans Big Pedal will run for 10 days from 23rd April to 4th May and is open to individual classes as well as whole schools.

What is the challenge?

On each day, schools compete to see who can record to get as many of their pupils, staff and parents cycling or scooting to school. Your school’s best five days will determine your final position, but you can log journeys on all ten days if you wish.

For schools unable to take part in the main event we have a one-day challenge, which can include cycling and scooting activities in the school day as well as on the journey to school.

Fundraising superhero day To celebrate the finale of the challenge there is also the option to join our superhero fundraiser day. All money raised will help us to enable thousands of children to walk, cycle or scoot every day – making the school run safer and healthier.

Jo Pavey MBE asks runners: ‘What’s Your Resolution?’

British athlete and ‘Supermum’, Jo Pavey MBE is calling on everyone in Glasgow to make their New Year’s Resolution to sign up for a Stroke Association Resolution Run. The charity is hosting one of its runs at Glasgow Green on 11th March 2018

and everyone is welcome!

The 43-year-old long-distance runner and World, European and Commonwealth medallist, has teamed up with the charity to encourage people to take part in a 5k or 10k Resolution Run. Jo Pavey said: “You don’t have to be a medalwinning athlete to take on a Resolution Run for the Stroke Association.

These events are ideal for people who are putting on their trainers for their first charity run, through to more experienced runners. The added bonus is that the funds you raise will help even more people recover from a devastating stroke.

“As a mother juggling the demands of being a full-time athlete, I know how tricky it can be to find the time to train. I often push a buggy on my training runs and clock up miles on the treadmill whilst the kids are in bed. The Stroke Association offers support every step of the way to help you reach your New Year goals. So make a resolution that counts this year and sign up today.”

Three runs will be held in Scotland from 25th February – 11th March, with runners able to choose their distance. The events are open to all ages and abilities, and participants can run, jog or walk their way to the finish line.

Kirsty Scott, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, in Scotland said: “A Resolution Run is exactly that – a resolution for the New Year that counts. It’s the ideal event for families and friends in Glasgow who want to do something fun together while getting more active in 2018. Over 120,000 people in Scotland are living with the effects of stroke and many are in need of support. By signing up to a Resolution Run, each runner will help us ensure that we can continue to help stroke survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives.”

Entry fee is just £16. All runners receive a technical running t-shirt and medal. For more information about entering or volunteering at the Resolution Run, visit http://www.stroke.org.uk/resolution, email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.

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the advertizer HEALTHCARE/ BEAUTY

BUSINESS

TRADES AND SERVICES CHILDCARE Houston registered childminders. For an informal chat to find your best childcare, call Elizabeth Waddell T: 01505 614925 Kilmacolm/Quarriers area registered childminders.

P/time or F/time vacancies for u-5’s and after school.

T: 01505 873839.

MISCELLANEOUS

TUITION

SITUATIONS VACANT

PROPERTY TRADES & SERVICES PROPERTY & HOLIDAY HOMES CARS FOR SALE Black & White ads only Lineage: up to 20 words £13.00* Boxed ad: £7.50* per column cm Photo: add £7.50* (colour) *all prices subject to VAT

PROPERTY TO LET

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february 2018

churches

BRIDGE OF WEIR

Freeland Church: Rev KN G r ay B A B D . M o r n i n g 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. St Mary’s Episcopal Church is a small, lively and mature Christian community.

We are united by our belief in Jesus, the One in whom God fully revealed Himself and through whom we have life in all it’s fullness. Come and worship with us. Our main Service is held on Sundays at 10am. A warm welcome awaits you. Contact: Rev. Heller G. 01505 872961 www.heartlandsec.org/BoW

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church: S u n d ay 4 t h Fe b r u a r y 10.30am - Communion Service with Junior Church and 7pm Joint Evening Communion, Sunday 18th February 10.30am - All Age Service, Monday 5th 2.30pm - Guild meeting; Life Style, speaker Karen Carruth, Monday 19th 2.30pm - Guild meeting; ‘ I am a J.P.’ speaker Jim Hair, Friday 23rd 12 noon - The Terrace Lunch Club – everyone 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 eve r y we e k a t 11 a m .

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 m e et eve r y We d f ro m 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: The services will be led by Rev Ian Bell unless otherwise stated. Sunday 7th February - 11am Morning Worship, Sunday 14th 11am Morning Worship, Sunday 21st - 11am Morning Worship, Sunday 28th - 11am Morning Worship.

St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston: Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat) 5pm, 9.30am & 11am.

Weekday Masses: Mon - Sat 9.30am. Rosary: Tue, Thurs & Sat 9.10am.

Exposition: Mon, Wed & Fri 9.05am. Confessions: Sat 10 - 10.30am and after Vigil Mass. Baptism: By arrangement. Parish Priest: Rev. Joseph Burke.

Pastoral Assistant: Sr. Mary Frances Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514). Address: ‘Abbotsfield’, St. Fillan’s, Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. T. 01505 612046. 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: Vi llage Hall, Mai n 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

KILBARCHAN

Kilbarchan Parish Church in February: Services continue at 11am each Sunday t h r o u g h o u t F e b r u a r y, conducted by Rev. Stephen Smith. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed on Sunday 25th at 11am and 2pm.

We continue to support the Paisley Food Bank each Sunday. Sunday School and the Crèche will meet in the hall from 10.45am each week. The Session meets on Thursday 8th in the

t: 01505 613340 small hall. The Midweek Fellowship continues on Wednesday mornings with coffee at 10.30am and a short service of worship at 11am in the small hall.

Mary’s Meals-Kilbarchan Parish Church-as a result of donations in Advent, the sum of £938, with added Gift Aid over £1100, a magnificent sum for this very worthwhile charity and thanks to the generosity of other donors, this sum will be doubled. ALL WELCOME TO ANY OF OUR SERVICES. For further information about the church and the organisations, please visit Kilbarchan Kirk online: www.kilbarchan-kirk.btck. co.uk

KILMACOLM

Kilmacolm Old Kirk: Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). www. kilmacolmoldkirk.org. uk. Minister Rev. Dr Peter McEnhill (01505 873174).

Morning Worship – Sundays 11am. All Welcome. Tea/ coffee served in Session House after service. Sunday School and Crèche available.

Sòlas Bereavement Group, 2nd Thursday each month at 2pm in Kidston Hall.Kilmacolm Old and Kilmacolm St Columba are having United Services at 11am. During the month of August, they will be held in St Columba Church.

St Columba Church of Scotland: (charity no.

S C 0 07 9 9 2 ) M o r n i n g Worship Sundays at 11am.

All welcome. Coffee/tea served in the hall after the service.

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.

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 11am.

Rosary Tuesdays 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.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk

St Fillan’s Episcopal Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4DL. Services on Sunday at 11.30am.

We d n e s d ay : 10 . 3 0 a m Holy Communion. On the last Sunday of the month at 11.30am 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! www.heartlandsec. org/KLM/index.html Contacts: Revd. Heller G.P 01505 872961 / Maureen Russell (Pastoral Assistant) 01505 872905.

LANGBANK

Langbank Parish Church: 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 from 9.50am. Charity No. SC015085.

LOCHWINNOCH

Parish Church: Mar y Jane Bird. Sunday 11am: Morning Worship and Sunday School.

All welcome.

Calder United Free Church: (Church Street, Lochwinnoch) 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.

QUARRIERS

Mount Zion Church: Rev. Andy Lunn BSc, (01475 791282) Mount Zion Church, Law V i ew Ro a d , Q u a r r i e r s 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 6.30pm 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!

A Place for Love

57

Since soon Valentine’s Day will be hard to avoid in the shops I thought I would take my cue from that.

When it comes to Saint Valentine we associate him mostly with romantic love. In fact, when we talk about love, we tend to think about romantic love in the first instance, and perhaps love of family as a close second. But can love be found elsewhere?

In my attempt to set out some reasons for coming to and being part of a church, I want to reflect on the church as a place for love. The only reason why the Christian church exists is because of God’s love for people and his desire to dwell with them. To make this relationship possible, God sent Jesus into the world.

According to John’s gospel (chapter 3 verse 16) ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not be lost but shall have eternal life.’ Jesus loved his followers by laying down his life for them, and instructed them in turn to love one another. In fact, love was to be their distinguishing characteristic.

Jesus said (in John 13:34-35) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Now of course, if you have at any time been part of a church community you may well know examples of a lack of love or of people getting hurt by comments or actions of others. You may know people who profess to be Christian, but who you find lacking in love. Perhaps you’re it!

However, I also know countless examples of people’s selfless love and service given in churches, both to those in and outside the church.

I have been on the receiving end of such love and over the years in different places have experienced friendships, across the generations and between people of different walks of life. Although it’s not always easy to live and work and pray together, the faith and the love of Christ binds us together and helps us to love and forgive one another.

Of course, as with any relationship: the more you put in, the more you get out. So why not try for yourself how the church can be a place of love! A place to experience the love of God for you and a place to practice love of others.

Rev Hanneke Marshall, St Machar’s Ranfurly Church

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk 56-59 NEW CLASSIFIED_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 57

25/01/2018 15:34:34

58

the advertizer SPORTS

ITEMS FOR SALE BABY EQUIPMENT

Travel cot - £12. Mothercare white wooden junior bed ( mattress not included) £30. Fisher Price baby bouncer with vibrating seat and mobile - £18. All from smoke free home and very good condition.

Lochwinnoch. Tel: 07970 683678 Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Original. Good Condition.

Smoke and pet free home. £10. Tel: 01505 872800.

Mothercare high-chair.

Rarely used for grandchild.

Like new. Smoke and pet free home. Donation £10 to £20. Tel: 01505 872717 Fisher Price Discover & Grow Jumperoo. Like new. Bouncy and in full working order. Smoke and pet free home. £20.

Tel: 07765 550180 Angel care baby monitor. £ 1 5 . Te l : 4 4 7 9 8 5 482211.

Toilet trainer seat, white, VGC, £2.50 each (have two). Tel: 07720 299588.

Travel cot. Very Good condition. £15. Tel: 44 7985 482211.

Potty Chair Mothercare red & pink, VGC, £5. Tel: 07720 299588.

CLOTHES & SHOES

Tap shoes pink junior size 9/10 & 10/11. £8 each.

V G C . Te l : 0 7 7 2 0 299588.

Pink Leotard, good condition, size 00. £5. Tel: 07720 299588 Houston Primary school uniform clothing, assorted blazer, fleece, waterproof jacket, white blouses, polo shirts, skirts, tie etc.

Tote box full. £10 the lot.

Tel: 07876 585391 Black Jazz skirts, never used, junior size Medium. £10. Tel: 07720 299588.

Lily and Jack Snowsuit, 3-6 months. Excellent Condition. Smoke and pet free home. £8. Tel: 01505 872800.

Black Jazz shoes, good condition, junior size 11/12. £8 Tel: 07720 299588.

Navy Snowsuit, 3-6 months.

Good Condition. Smoke and pet free home. £5.

Tel: 01505 872800.

2 x Gro Bag Sleeping Bags 0-6 months, 2.5 togs.

Good Condition. Smoke and pet free home. £7 each or both £12. Tel: 01505 872800.

Mothercare Snowsuit, 9-12 months. Good Condition.

Smoke and pet free home. £8. Tel: 01505 872800.

Hunter Wellies size 8 olive colour. Never worn. £25.00 Tel: 01505 329075 HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN

Qualcast Quiet Garden S h r e d d e r, M o d e l SDS2810. As new condition, used only once. Full instruction booklet. £80. Tel: 07913 760023.

Solid oak oval gate leg table, barley twist legs, stripped and clear varnished, 1.5m x 1m, will seat 4 + 2, can deliver locally, £50. Tel: 07876 585391 Triple dressing table mirror as new. £15. Tel: 44 7985 482211.

Recliner chair, swivel, as new, fabric, beige, with footstool. Could deliver.

Cost £280 sell for £55.

Tel: 07986 812483.

2 & 3 brown leather sofa, good condition. £150 or any offer considered. Tel: 07940 127136.

Lawnmower & Strimmer. £30 o.n.o. Tel: 07940 127136 Limed Oak Corner Cabinet, Rennie Mackintosh style. £30 o.n.o. Tel: 07940 127136

Limed Oak Hi-Fi Unit, Rennie Mackintosh Style. £20 o.n.o. Tel: 07940 127136.

Conservatory furniture, brown with cream cusions. Two seater, two armchairs, two tables with glass tops. £150. View and pick up in Houston.

Tel: 01505 690002 Silver plated spoons set of 12 new. £20. Tel: 07856 610671.

Schreiber black dining table: W180cm, H75cm, D100cm. Good condition - £40. Collection required.

Tel: 07792 019011.

ELECTRICAL & GAS

Stereo - record/CD/tape player £50 Tel: 07714 674243 Stereo: Record, CD & Tape Player. £50. Tel: 07714 674243.

Prolex Electric Grill and oven. New condition. £15.

Tel: 07866 404070 or 01505 614053 Berry free standing electric stove. Coal effect , flame effect. Good working o r d e r. D i m e n s i o n s ; 27.5cms deep, 53cms wide, 61cms high. £40.

Tel: 07913 760023.

Russel Hobs Microwave, Red new condition. £25.

Tel: 07866 404070 or 01505 614053 Russel Hobs Kettle, Red new condition. £10. Tel: 07866 404070 or 01505 614053 Russel Hobs Toaster, red new condition. £10. Tel: 07866 404070 or 01505 614053 Brass coal effect electric fire as new. £50.00 Ono. Tel: 01505 329075.

PETS

Bunny hutch & 5 foot run good condition. £50 o.n.o.

Tel: 07940 127136.

Figure skates white Graf Bolero, junior size 12 (EU size 31), VGC, £25. Tel: 07720 299588.

Girl junior bike pink without stabilisers, VGC. Suitable age 4-6 yrs old. £20.

Tel: 07720 299588.

Figure skates white Riedell junior size 10, good condition, £10. Tel: 07720 299588.

Toddler Bicycle helmets (44-48 cm) pink (have 2), suits appr. 1-5 yrs old, GC. £2.50 each. Tel: 07720 299588.

Clicgear 14 compartment Cart Bag - 6 months old. £50. Tel: 01505 842950 TOYS/GAMES/DVD

Smoby Rosy Doll, 63 cm long, in good condition with clothes. £10. Tel: 07720 299588.

Dolls Wooden Cradle white in good condition. £10. Tel 07720 299588.

Peppa Big DVDs - 8 in total for £5. Tel: 07720 299588.

X Box One for sale unwanted xmas gift with games. £100. Tel: 07831 152086.

Air Hockey table 6ft immaculate condition. £50. Tel: 07831 152086.

2016 Higher Past Papers: Modern Studies & Business Management - £5 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.

WANTED ITEMS

FREE

CYCLE

White Ikea corner desk and dark gray Ikea office swivel chair with armrests.

Free. Pick up in Houston.

Tel: 01505 690002 Girl toddler bike without stabilisers, good beginners bike. Tel: 07720 299588.

Old British or foreign coins wanted. Pennies, farthings, anything.

Willing to pay if valuable.

Contact: 07787 887268.

Old records Wanted 45`s & LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 07710 777571.

Cash paid for Music CDs (a few or a lot). Tel: 0141 882 5594 or 07765 115347.

Westclox Big Ben alarm clock. Call 07756981917 Local lily grower requires the use of a greenhouse/ polytunnel in Kilmacolm area in return for light gardening duties. Tel: Vince 01505 872082.

OTHER ITEMS

Domestic Steel Tower Scaffold. 4 feet x 4 feet base section for 18foot 6 inch working height. 4 outriggers and 4 locking castors. Good condition.

New cost £475, selling for £180. Tel: 07735 776661 Projector slides, approximately 400 with views of Kilmacolm and o th e r a r e a s . Offe r s welcome. Tel: 01505 328598.

Hankook Optimea brand new tyre and Alloy twin spoke 235/55 R18 suit Kia sportage. £80. Tel: 07866 404070 or 01505 614053 Vintage amber necklace. £60. Tel: 07856 610671.

Bosch drill/driver 18V Brand new (charger, battery ) £220. Offers Welcome.

Tel: 07856 610671.

CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER - The Gryffe Advertizer is a magazine published by The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd

Advertising throughout The Gryffe Advertizer:

Definitions: “Standards” means the British Code of Advertising Practice and the provisions of any law applicable to advertising including, but not limited to, the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988, the Financial Services Act 1986, the Business Advertisement (Disclosure) Order 1977 and all amendments and replacements.

It is hereby agreed that: • The placing by the Advertising Client of an Advertisement is deemed to be acceptance of these Conditions of Acceptance of Advertising.

• All Advertisements in this Publication must not contravene the Standards.

• Insertion of Advertisements and/or Editorial is strictly at the discretion of the Publisher.

• The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the Advertising Client as a result of any failure, negligence or omission by any party in the course of the distribution or circulation of the Publication in which the Advertisement is scheduled to appear.

• In the event of any error, misprint or omission by the Publisher in the printing of an Advertisement, the Publisher will either re-insert the advertisement, adjust the cost or provide a refund. This does not apply if the Advertisement has been approved by the Advertising Client prior to publication. The total liability of the Publisher for such an occurrence shall not exceed the amount of a full refund for that particular Advertisement.

• The Advertising Client agrees to indemnify the Publisher in respect of all costs, damages or other charges falling upon the Publisher as the result of legal actions or threatened legal actions arising from the publication of the Advertisement, or any one or more of the series of Advertisements, published in accordance with the copy instructions supplied to the Publisher.

• Readers are reminded that when purchasing items or services advertised in the Publication that the Publisher cannot be held in any way responsible for the quality or correctness of the items or services included in the Advertisement.

Editorial throughout The Gryffe Advertizer: The opinions of the Contributors to this Publication are not necessarily the official views of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to edit or refuse any material submitted for publication.

deadline date for our march issue - Friday 56-59 NEW CLASSIFIED_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 58

16th February - You don’t want to miss it!!

25/01/2018 15:34:38

february 2018

t: 01505 613340

e: info@advertizer.co.uk ADVERTIZERS - A TO Z

BY CATEGORY Accountants & Financial

Driving Instructors

Affluent Financial Planning . . 22 CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 14 Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 17 Martin Aitken & Co Ltd . . . . . 26 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1

AL Stewart - Driving Instruct . . 15 Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7

Architectural Services Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Art, Gifts & Flowers Freelance Florist . . . . . . . . . 15 Rosemary Beaton Painting Schoo . . 19

Automotive Services AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 ARC Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . Bk Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 12

Bathrooms Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 17

Bedrooms Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 5

Blacksmith & Metalwork McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 8

Building Services A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 6 BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 4 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 11 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 11 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 11 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 21 Plaster Master . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 11 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 47

Education St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 49

Electricians Delta Electrical Services . . 9 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Russell Milne Electrician . . 5

Fencing Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 8

Firewood & Logs LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 17 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 21 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Funeral Services Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 21 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 41

Garage Doors & Gates Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Garden Service & Design 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 31 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 35 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 30 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 33 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 32 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 33 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 32 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 33 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 35 West of Scotland Landscape . . 30

Gas & Heating Services

Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 25

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 8 DMA Gas & Oil Services . . . . . 4 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 24 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 6 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

Catering

Glazier

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 17 The Pavilion Tearoom . . . . . . . 14

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 11 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Business Services

Cleaning & PowerWash CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 16 Eclipse deep clean . . . . . . . . . 14 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 15 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 6 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5

Coffee Shops Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 14 The Pavilion Tearoom . . . . . . . 14

Computer, IT & Web Carness Consulting Ltd . . . . . 25 ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 25

Driveways A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Hairdressers & Barbers Adele Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 40 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 39

Health, Beauty & Fitness Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 40 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 25 Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 10 FitSmart Fitness . . . . . . . . . . 54 Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 41 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Linda Stewart - Slimming World . . 15 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 10 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 11 Scott Isaksen Fitness . . . . . . 55 Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 40

Home Hardware

Property, Sales & Let

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Home Improvements Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 7 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 24

Home Interiors

Removals @ease Removals & Transport . . 37 The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 5 Highland Style Living . . . . . . 15 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 21

Restaurant & Bars

Home Security

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15 The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 36 The Sourcery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 6

Joiners

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 14

Retail

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 41 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 11 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 11 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 11 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 17

Roofing

Kilt & Dress Hire Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 8

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 25 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1

Kitchens

Special Occasions

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 5 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 17 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 11 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 11

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

Leisure & Recreation Ranfurly Castle Golf Club . . 53 Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 55

Locksmiths Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Painters & Decorators A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 16 Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 8 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Pest Control RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pet Services & Training Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bridge of Weir Dog Walking . . 28 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 29 Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 28

Plasterers Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 8 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 11 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14 Plaster Master . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Plumbers C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 8 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 24 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 6 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 4 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 8 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 6 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 11 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 47

Solicitors

Sports Clubs & Events Ranfurly Castle Golf Club . . 53

Stoves Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 21

Taxis & Minicoach hire ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 12

Tiling Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 15 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Travel Agents Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Tree Surgeon Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 33 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 31 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 35

TV & Satellite Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 10 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3

Upholstery Services Eclipse deep clean . . . . . . . . . 14 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 15 Highland Style Living . . . . . . 15 P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 27

Window Cleaners DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 16 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 15 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 6 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 15

Window, Consv & Repair 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 11 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

@ease Removals & Transport . . 37 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 31 A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 16 A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 35 A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Adele Houston . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Affinity Family Law Experts . . 25 Affluent Financial Planning . . 22 Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 AL Stewart - Driving Instruct . . 15 Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 7 Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 30 ARC Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . Bk Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 40 B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 6 Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 14 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 25 Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Bridge of Weir Dog Walking . . 28 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 4 Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 6 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 8 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 5 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 8 Carness Consulting Ltd . . . . . 25 Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 14 CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 8 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 33 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Delta Electrical Services . . 9 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 10 DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 41 DMA Gas & Oil Services . . . . . 4 DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 32 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 16 Eclipse deep clean . . . . . . . . . 14 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 15 Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 10 Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 17 FitSmart Fitness . . . . . . . . . . 54 Freelance Florist . . . . . . . . . 15 G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 34 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 33 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 15 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 12 Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 6 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 8 Highland Style Living . . . . . . 15 I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2

59

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 24 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 17 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 6 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 11 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 11 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 11 JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 41 Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 12 Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 17 KC Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 31 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 41 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 25 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Linda Stewart - Slimming World . . 15 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 32 Martin Aitken & Co Ltd . . . . . 26 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 15 MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 11 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 15 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 8 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 17 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 10 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 39 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 11 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 21 Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 24 P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 27 Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 Plaster Master . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 33 Ranfurly Castle Golf Club . . 53 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 4 Rosemary Beaton Painting Schoo . . 19 Russell Milne Electrician . . 5 Scott Isaksen Fitness . . . . . . 55 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 29 SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 40 St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 49 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1 Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 55 Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 28 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 11 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 36 The Pavilion Tearoom . . . . . . . 14 The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Sourcery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 47 Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 35 West of Scotland Landscape . . 30 Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 17

Pick up a Copy

March ‘18 Issue: April ‘18 Issue: • Deadline: 16 th FEBRUARY • Deadline: 16 th MARCH • Delivery: 27 th FEBRUARY • Delivery: 27 th MARCH

Bishopton: Woodrow’s Store, Library Bridge of Weir: Gibb Stuart, Bernie’s Cafe, Lochnagar, The Bridge, Library (Cargill Hall) Erskine: Garden Centre, Library, Sports Centre, Swimming pool

Houston: Co-op, Carrick Centre, Post Office, Newsagent Howwood: Village Store, St Vincent’s Hospice Johnstone: Henderson Kilts, Papa Mac’s, Library Kilbarchan: Sheridan’s Store, Post Office, Campbell’s, Newsagents, Bobbins, Old Library Centre

Langbank: Finlaystone Visitor Centre Kilmacolm: Newsagent, Cross Café, Gibb Stuart, Library, Community Centre Lochwinnoch: Keystore, Library, Dolce Vita, Castle Semple Centre Quarriers: Three Sisters Bake

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Distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Elderslie • Houston • Howwood • Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank • Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

Pick up a Copy Bishopton: Woodrow’s Store, Library Bridge of Weir: Gibb Stuart, Bernie’s Cafe, Lochnagar, The Bridge, Library (Cargill Hall)

Erskine: Garden Centre, Library, Sports Centre, Swimming pool Houston: Co-op, Carrick Centre, Post Office, Newsagent Howwood: Village Store, St Vincent’s Hospice

Johnstone: Henderson Kilts, Papa Mac’s, Library Kilbarchan: Sheridan’s Store, Post Office, Campbell’s, Newsagents, Bobbins, Old Library Centre Langbank: Finlaystone Visitor Centre

Kilmacolm: Newsagent, Cross Café, Gibb Stuart, Library, Community Centre Lochwinnoch: Keystore, Library, Dolce Vita, Castle Semple Centre Quarriers: Three Sisters Bake

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