304 JANUARY 20 - Gryffe Advertizer

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No.304 1

Gallop Among the Pines by Ken Dow, Paisley Colour Photographic Club

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JANUARY 2020 InsightGryffe

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Distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Elderslie • Houston • Howwood• Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank• Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

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Advertising Feature

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Are they clear and ready for winter downpours? We can remove moss, plants, silt, twigs etc., that can block the gutter and stop the water from flowing down the spout where it should go, causing them to overflow and potentially causing damage to the outside of your home.

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Santa and his elves were very busy doing the rounds of the Santa Sleigh before Christmas. The weather went against them in the first week, but they soldiered on through the wind and rain with only one rescheduled event. Then one wee boy in Quarriers contacted the Advertizer quite sad that Santa hadn’t made it to his street. Amazingly, the next day his mum sent me a photo of the personalised Christmas card he got.... FROM SANTA.... to apologise and wish him a Happy Christmas! And to confirm that yes, Santa really does know everything. The Santa Sleigh brings such joy to so many little people and raises much needed funds for all the local groups who become elves for an evening. We hope they continue this wonderful event for a long time to come!

This year, once again, I have decided not to send cards and have made my donation to the RNLI Launch a Memory campaign where you can have a loved one’s name written on the side of a lifeboat.

With a history of sailing in the family, I thought this was a fitting charity to support this year. Thank you to everyone who sent cards to our family or to the Advertizer.

If this is a charity close to your own heart, here is the link: https://rnli. org/support-us/give-money/donate-in-memory/launch-a-memory.

After all the excitement of opening presents, there is inevitably a full bin! To check when your rubbish collection will take place please see the relevant websites for reference. Inverclyde Council’s page is at https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/recyclingand-waste-services. Renfrewshire Council’s page is at http://www. renfrewshire.gov.uk/checkyourbincollectionday.

Our local recycling centres will take various items including trees. Details of the opening hours are available online at http:// www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/HWRCopeninghours and https://www. inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/recycling-and-waste-services/ recycling-centres. All centres will be closed on New Year’s Day. Other options for post Christmas trees are Bishopton Scout Group who are collecting trees, details on p19, and Gowanlea Nursery at Johnstone, who are closed from 1st to 3rd January, but are delighted to receive your old tree and can also collect for a charge of £6.50.

Call on 01505 328921 for more details.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your continued support and look forward to working with you throughout 2020. A special thanks to our local Councillors and many other contributors who provide their news and updates and, of course, the local retailers, tradesmen and businesses for their ongoing support on which our community thrives.

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No.305 February 2020

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Wishing you all the best for 2020!

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JANUARY 2020

in this issue

deadline date .................2 features ......................4-15 finance & tech ....... 16-17 village news........... 18-29 sport news ............ 30-32 pet news ....................... 33 school news ......... 34-39

what’s on ............ 40-43 outdoors ................44-47 business classified ....48 sales & wants ..............49 advertizer directory .50 pick up a copy............50 deadline date ..............50

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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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Feature NEws

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Wizard of Oz panto by KDS © Graham Peters

Monte Belongs to Glasgow!

Monte Carlo start returns to Scotland for 10th Year!

For the third time, Glasgow will once again be the UK starting point for the historic Monte Carlo classic rally, the tenth since it returned to Scotland.

On the evening of 29th January 2020, the competing crews will set off from the start ramp in front of Glasgow City Chambers in George Square for the epic 1300-mile drive to the south of France.

The city is the only British start point out of seven European cities including Athens, Milan and Barcelona. In recent years, Glasgow, Paisley and Clydebank have featured as the only UK start locations.

Cars and crews will compete in three separate categories: The Historique class is being run for the 23rd year and is restricted to car models which competed in the Monte Carlo Rallies between 1955 and 1980. It will run over eight days on open public roads with the cars and crews undertaking a series of fourteen demanding test stages in the mountains of southern France.

The Classique event is for older cars from as early as 1911 to 1965 and follows the same route to Monte Carlo but does not include any test stages, the goal simply being to finish in Monte Carlo after checking in at a series of control points on the way.

Once again the event also features the popular Monte Heritage Runs which will link with the full-scale events and will take in a series of short classic routes in Scotland including starts from John O’ Groats and Aberdeen.

Bridge of Weir Co-op staff get festive Angela Conaghan and her staff made a decision this year – instead of buying presents for each other in their ‘Secret Santa’, they would use the money to buy ‘Christmas Toiletry Boxes’ for the women staying safe in the Renfrewshire Women’s Aid Refuge over the Christmas holidays.

Each box contained lovely toiletries, fluffy socks and a card offering support from the staff for the women this Christmas.

Angela and her staff are true fundraising stars – not only in supporting Renfrewshire Women’s Aid with the Christmas Toiletry Boxes and the Christmas Pyjama Collection – but in supporting the Renfrewshire Food Bank and various other local charities.

Huge thanks to the super team in the Bridge of Weir Co-op – true community champions!

Before the cars set off at 7pm there will be a classic car show in George Square during the afternoon, along with entertainment for spectators who’ll enjoy the unique atmosphere of a Monte Start, and give the competitors a rousing Scottish send-off.

Douglas Anderson, the man who brought the Monte start back to Scotland in 2011 and has organised every start since said: “The Monte competitors will be thrilled to be leaving from Glasgow, one of Europe’s great cities.

The People of Glasgow are sure to make their send off from George Square an occasion never to be forgotten. The Monte belongs to Glasgow”.

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JANUARY 2020

Call For Artists!

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2020 Art Exhibition will run from Wednesday 18th March to Saturday 28th March 2020.

They are on the look out for artists to exhibit. Optional theme this year is Coasts and Water.

Submission forms and Information for exhibitors can be downloaded from the web site and forms must be returned by 28th February.

Contact Gill Bell 07761 172726.

Local Heroes

365: Stories and Music

If you’ve heard about any local heroes who need a shout out please let us know. We’d love to hear about them! Please send your news in to info@advertizer.co.uk.

Bold, tender, full of old truths and distilled modern wit, ‘365: Stories and Music’ is an epic built on the beauty of the miniature!

Pictures are welcome but we do ask that they be at least 1MB in size, .jpg files, and no smaller than 5cm in width or height.

If you have group images we like them to be even bigger so that faces are visible!

Drop in to experience this very special sound installation of contemporary Scottish stories and music by acclaimed author James Robertson and musician Aidan O’Rourke (of Lau). A collaboration between artists steeped in tradition but constantly breaking new ground.

As part of Paisley Book Festival, this event will run from 21st to 29th February 2020, daily from 10am - 5pm in Piazza Shopping Centre Central Way, Paisley PA1 1EL. This is a free event Visit the event website at https://paisleybookfest.com/

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Volunteers Needed: Talk It Over Group Paisley Volunteer crèche workers needed for small peer support group based at Paisley Abbey. We offer a crèche enabling mums to take some time to meet with other mums affected by anxiety, loneliness and post natal depression. Term time only, Tuesdays from 10am - 12.15pm.

Kind, compassionate and friendly volunteers needed; need to be able to set up room and create a welcoming environment and be keen to support new mums by caring for babies and toddlers. Full training offered. Commitment once a month or fortnightly or more.

Please contact Janette for further information - e: janette.a.mckenna@gmail.com Talk It Over Group Room, within Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley, PA1 1JG.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Paisley Halloween Festival wins Gold Award The award-winning Paisley Halloween Festival has scooped another top prize after it was named Best Cultural Event or Festival at the 2019/20 Scottish Thistle Awards West Scotland regional finals. Organised by VisitScotland, the awards celebrate innovation, excellence and success in the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector. The popular event in Renfrewshire Council’s annual calendar picked up the award for its 2018 festival, which saw crowds of over 34,000 people flock to the town across two days to enjoy an actionpacked programme of spectacular aerial performances, thrilling live acts and a MardiGras style parade with more than 500 costumed performers.

Inspired by the town’s dark and deathly 17th century witch history, the enhanced theme of ‘Something Wicked this Way Comes’ thrilled visitors from all over Scotland. The festival was also one of the major events as part of VisitScotland’s Year of Young People 2018 celebrations, with young people at the heart of the festival’s development and delivery.

A 20-strong Youth Panel worked alongside Renfrewshire Council’s Events Team to design and deliver the programme, while more than 500 young people took part in a new creative learning programme. This provided young people with the opportunity to participate in all aspects of festival from performance to live event management and technical production.

Paisley Halloween Festival was among 15 winners in the regional finals for the west last week – including businesses and individuals from Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley, Ayrshire & Arran, Dumfries & Galloway and Argyll & Bute – and will now go on to the prestigious national final on March 5th, 2020.

Louisa Mahon, Renfrewshire Council’s Head of Communications, Marketing and Events, said: “We are delighted that the Paisley Halloween Festival has been recognised alongside the very best of the Scottish tourism industry at the Scottish Thistle Awards west regional final. We look forward to taking our place alongside all of the outstanding regional finals winners at the national finals in March.”

Gordon Smith, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “Congratulations to Renfrewshire Council on winning Best Cultural Event or Festival for Paisley Halloween Festival at the Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals. Taking over the streets of Paisley every Halloween, the Festival has become one of the most hotly anticipated events in the region’s calendar, which this year welcomed record crowds and was supported by EventScotland’s National Events Fund. I wish the team the very best for the national finals in March.”

The Scottish Thistle Award marks a double celebration for the Paisley Halloween Festival after it won Best Festival or Outdoor Event at the EventIt E Awards in June. The Paisley Halloween Festival is organised by Renfrewshire Council and the 2018 event was supported by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

This year’s festival, which took place on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, continued to grow with a Dark Circus theme delivered alongside internationally-acclaimed outdoor theatre specialists, Cirque Bijou, and saw the entire town centre transformed into a thrilling Halloween playground.

To find out more about the Paisley Halloween Festival, visit: https://paisley.is/featured_ event/halloween/ For more information on scottishthistleawards.co.uk/

the

Scottish

Thistle

Awards,

visit:

https://www.

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Oor Wullie Is On The Move!

The Oor Wullie Bucket Trail saw hundreds of the iconic statues dotted around Scotland this year. The nationwide art trail encouraged people out of their armchairs to take part in the search. The bucket trail may have ended but this popular Scottish character is continuing to raise a smile from residents in Campbell Snowdon Care Home, Quarrier’s Village.

The colourful statue known as the Oor Rail Bridge Oor Wullie is being sponsored by local funeral directors, The Beaton Brothers, who are hoping the attraction will bring pleasure to residents and raise funds for a minibus.

Jim Melville, Manager of Campbell Snowdon House said, “It’s great to have the Oor Wullie statue here, people have really enjoyed seeing it... Everyone’s been talking about it... It’s here to raise money for resident’s activities and we are really grateful to the Beaton Brothers for sponsoring it.”

Last month, residents were joined by Alan Beaton of Beaton Brothers and children from St Columba’s School Nursery, Kilmacolm – who are the partner school for Campbell Snowdon. Everyone was glad to see the new addition settle into his surroundings.

Glasgow’s Bucket Trail was hugely popular and culminated in an auction, raising around £1.3m for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. The most paid for a single sculpture was £25,000.

The Oor Rail Bridge statue was bought by Margaret and Donald Blair, former coal merchants of Bridge of Weir, with proceeds also going to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. The painting on the front depicts the design and construction of the Forth Road Bridge.

Once his stint at Campbell Snowdon House is over, this lovely statue will move on and continue to raise money for care homes in the local area.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk New Multimillion Pound Junction Is Opened - 3 months early!

A new junction of the M8 motorway is now open at Bishopton, near Glasgow, three months ahead of schedule as part of BAE Systems’ ongoing transformation of the former Royal Ordnance Factory site into Dargavel Village – an award-winning housing development.

The multimillion pound Junction 29A connects Bishopton and surrounding areas to Scotland’s busiest motorway, giving residents of Dargavel and Bishopton villages greatly improved transport links to Glasgow and beyond. The junction joins the intersection of Greenock Road (A8) and the M8, providing direct access eastbound towards Glasgow, as well as a direct exit from the motorway westbound.

Steve Fogg, Managing Director, BAE Systems Shared Services, said: “The opening of this new junction is a major milestone in our efforts to deliver Dargavel Village and we’re delighted to be opening it ahead of schedule and in time for the festive season.

“We are continuing to invest significantly in the local infrastructure to support the development of Dargavel Village, and we look forward to see the area grow and develop in the future.”

Construction of the new junction began in January 2017 and has taken less than three years to build. The work was undertaken by UK-based civil engineering company Morgan Sindall Infrastructure on behalf of BAE Systems. More than 50 companies were involved in the design and build, of which 40 per cent were Scotland-based companies.

Simon Smith, Managing Director, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “We are pleased to have delivered this project early, which is testament to the teamwork from everyone involved. We are committed to improving the infrastructure of the UK for the benefit of all and anticipate this new junction will significantly improve access to surrounding areas.”

Fraser Carlin, Head of Housing and Planning, Renfrewshire Council, said: “This will be a great addition to the connectivity of Bishopton and the surrounding areas of Renfrewshire as Dargavel Village continues to expand and develop, and we look forward to the new junction opening in advance of the busy festive season.”

BAE Systems began redeveloping the former Royal Ordnance Factory site in 2012 which now has over 1,200 homes, a new parkand-ride car park, a village centre with supermarket and a number of green open spaces. Earlier this year, Dargavel Village, received the ‘Excellence in Planning for Homes – Large Schemes’ award at the Royal Town Planning Institute Awards for Planning Excellence.

When complete in 2034, Dargavel Village will consist of 4,000 new homes, a primary school and community centre, a day nursery, additional park-and-ride facilities at the adjacent railway station, a health centre, retail, amenity and leisure facilities, and Dargavel Country Park – a 1,300 acre open woodland area surrounding the village.

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JANUARY 2020

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Happy New Year!

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Could you be a Supported Carer?

Renfrewshire Council’s supported carers team need five people to help care-experienced young people move into adult life.

Supported Carer Kathie says looking after a care-experienced young person has been one of the best things she has ever done.

Kathie said: “I became a supported carer for Emily when she turned 18 years-old. Watching her grow over these last two years has given me a really good feeling. Emily has gone from strength to strength and I consider her my fourth daughter.

“I got into supported care because I am a foster carer, but you don’t need to have experience to become one. The supported carer team give you lots of support and training to help you whenever you need it.

“In fact, I didn’t even think I would be a good foster carer till my mum arranged an appointment on my behalf and they came to my house and told me I’d be an ideal candidate. Since then, I have never looked back. It’s been an incredibly positive experience.

Walk Through Fire for your Local Hospice

“Emily has been with me since she was 12 years-old. She has always had the drive to succeed in life despite her biological family’s situation. From a young age, Emily decided she wanted her life to be different and I’ve been able to provide that stable family home environment for her to do just that.

“Sure, there have been tough times for Emily as she lost both her parents at a younger age than most people experience. Emotional support is a huge factor for supporting care-experienced young people, and you need to be able to give them a non-judgemental listening ear so they will open-up and talk to you about things going on in their life.

“Since Emily turned 18, she has been paying her rent, she cleans her own room, she’s at university studying law, she has a boyfriend, and she cooks for herself and us on occasion. Basically, she has come on leaps and bounds.

“If you have a spare room, have the time, energy and patience to help, then speak to someone to see if it is for you. It can’t hurt to have a chat about it.”

After the huge success of the first event, St. Vincent’s Hospice are bringing back their hottest fundraising event of the year, The Firewalk on Wednesday 5th February 2020.

Teaming up with Headstrong Scotland, the Hospice are looking for people to sign up and face their fears, for this exciting challenge to support St. Vincent’s by doing something truly remarkable.

Commenting on the event, Fundraiser for St. Vincent’s Hospice, Laura McDade, said: “This very special event will give you the chance to do something you’d never think possible and literally walk through fire to raise money for a good cause.”

St. Vincent’s is a specialist provider of palliative and hospice care for people and families affected by life limiting conditions throughout Renfrewshire. Taking pride in offering the right care, at the right time, they offer support via their In-patient Unit, Day Services and in people’s own homes throughout the community.

They are also one of the few organisations in Renfrewshire to offer bereavement counselling and support for children and young people who have experienced the loss of a parent or loved one.

Jamie McKenzie, from Headstrong Scotland, said: “We are very excited to be teaming up with St. Vincent’s to put on this Fire walking event. Not only will this help raise vital funds for the Hospice, and help so many people going through difficult times, but it is your chance to take part in an ancient ritual and rite of passage that is a truly unique experience.

For more information, contact the Supported Carers Service on 0141 618 4531 or visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/SupportedCarers.

Paisley Soroptimists Members of Soroptimist International of Paisley turned their meeting Orange on Thursday 5th December. This was in recognition of the worldwide 16 days of Activism to highlight Gender Based Violence.

On the evening, members were asked to either wear orange or carry an orange item. The ladies also brought orange items of food and drink which were later taken to the Lodging House Mission in Glasgow. Paisley Soroptimists have also taken part in the Reclaim the Night March on the 25th November and have been turning their Facebook pages orange for each of the 16 days of activism with facts on domestic violence provided by Renfrewshire Women’s Aid. Some Soroptimists helped out at the Renfrewshire Conference on 10th December in Johnstone Town Hall on Coercive Violence.

Paisley Soroptimists are committed to working against violence where ever it exists.

They meet every second Thursday evening in the Glynhill Hotel and if you wish to contact them their email address is: soroptimistspaisley@gmail.com

“During the evening, you will learn how to conquer fear and how your minds can be turned to confidence and certainty, in any situation, focus on the future and your goals, rediscover your own inner power and use these new found skills to walk over hot coals, at temperatures of more than 800 degrees Celsius.”

The event begins at 6pm at St. Vincent’s Hospice and costs £25 to take part. For more information, contact: Info@svh.co.uk or visit the hospice website: www.svh.co.uk

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Local

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

history

Johnstone History Society

The Glasgow, Paisley, Ardrossan Canal

Our first meeting of 2020 is on the 14th January in the Masonic Hall Collier Street at 7.30pm. Our first speaker of the year is Lil Brookes and her topic is “ The Ladies A, Band C”. This title intrigues me, so please come along and find out what it is all about.

The Glasgow, Paisley, Ardrossan Canal was first proposed by James Watt in 1773. In 1804 a survey by Thomas Telford led to parliamentary permission to build the first phase of the canal from Glasgow to Johnstone. Hugh, 12th Earl of Eglinton, was the chief investor in the project. He had recently built his new deep sea harbour at Ardrossan and was keen to have direct access by canal to Glasgow. Other investors included William Houston of Johnstone and William Dixon of Govan. A canal in the vicinity of their coal and iron mines would afford them easy access to Glasgow markets.

Canal access to Glasgow was expected to be considerably more efficient than transporting goods by wagons on the turnpike roads.

Work began in 1805. In addition to transportation of goods, a passenger service was planned.

We hope to have a good attendance for our first meeting of the year - do bring along any visitors with you all will be made welcome.

In December we had a very interesting and entertaining talk from Joe Reilly about The Linwood Line. His meeting was very well attended with many visitors present. We hope they all enjoyed themselves and will return to further meetings. Being December we finished with tea or coffee and mincemeat pies.

The Museum will be open till the 21st December and then close till Wednesday 8th January 2020. We still have a large collection of books and pamphlets on sale; these can also be purchased online and paid for via PayPal. There are also still have some 2020 Calendars left but they are selling fast, so if you have not already got one come in soon and get one before they are all gone.

The Society wishes to take this opportunity to wish all our members and friends a very Happy New Year

The first section of the canal, from Paisley to Johnstone, opened on the 6th November, 1810. Amid great celebration, the Countess of Eglinton was launched. Four days later, on the Martinmas Day holiday, tragedy struck. When passengers from Johnstone were disembarking at the canal basin in Paisley, an excited crowd of holiday makers on a family day out surged on to the boat causing it to capsize. Of the eighty-five people who lost their lives on this disastrous day at least one quarter were children.

The full stretch of the canal from Glasgow to Johnstone was completed in 1811, but because of the death of the Earl of Eglinton in 1819 and the lack of further funding, construction of the remaining section to Ardrossan was abandoned.

Two more passenger boats, the Paisley and the Countess of Glasgow were added to the fleet. The cabin class fare was 1s.3d.

And the second class fare was 10d. In 1814 the canal sold over 35,000 fares and the service was popular with all classes of society.

In 1815 John Cuninghame of Craigends recorded in his diary that he had sent his chaise to Johnstone to meet friends arriving by boat from Glasgow. By 1836 there were twelve passenger sailings per day on the canal.

The Glasgow, Paisley, Ardrossan Canal appears to have been a profitable project for the investors until 1840 when, with the advent of the railways, the canal passenger service had competition. The Glasgow & Paisley Joint Railway opened the first rail line from Glasgow to Paisley in 1840. Travel between Paisley and Glasgow was quicker by train than the two hour journey by canal boat, and when the rail company reduced its fares in 1843, the canal passenger service was no longer viable. Although the passenger service ended in 1843, the canal company continued to transport goods until 1869.

The canal became quieter and seems to have become a repository for stolen goods. It is reported that in 1852 brass fittings, and copper piping, stolen from the Kilbarchan horse-drawn fire engine, were found in Johnstone Canal by three local men. Kilbarchan Front Committee gave the men 7s.6d. for the recovery of these valuable fittings.

In 1869 the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company purchased the canal. This rail company continued to operate the transport of goods on the canal until 1881. In that year they began work to build a second rail line from Glasgow to Paisley, largely following the route of the canal. The canal was drained in 1882 and their Canal Line to Paisley opened in 1885. ©2019 Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum

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JANUARY 2020

Care for Your Smile in 2020

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner at Kilbarchan Dental Practice As a new year begins we thought it would be useful to highlight some of the key points from our blogs last year to help you Care for Your Smile in 2020: The importance of a smile - smiles make us more approachable, suggests kindness, enthusiasm, confidence and positivity. If you want to enhance your smile, there a range of teeth whitening and other cosmetic services dentists can now offer.

Dentaphobia – specially trained dentists can help nervous patients overcome their fear, and at KDP we even offer a sedation service to deal with more extreme cases.

Not all “healthy” snacks are what they seem – a recent study revealed high levels of sugar in foods and drinks marketed at UK children with nearly half far less healthy than they claim. Always check products nutritional information.

Electric toothbrushes are the best! - they are proven to remove 100% more plaque than traditional manual toothbrushes and the child-friendly versions are brilliant for getting kids to brush their teeth properly.

Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste using an electric toothbrush (and ideally about an hour after each meal).

Make sure you visit your dentist regularly – usually twice a year. That way you can be sure any problems are picked up at an early stage before they become more serious.

Wishing all our friends, readers and patients a Happy & Healthy New Year!

You will find lots more free tips and advice including healthy eating options, dental care guidance and other helpful information at www.kilbarchandental.co.uk If you have any queries about any areas of dental health visit us at Kilbarchan Dental Practice or call 01505 704969.

What is Blepharitis?

by Kerry Opticians

Taher,

New

Vision

Blepharitis is the most commonly found condition that we see in practice.

Typical signs and symptoms include inflammation of the eyelids leaving them red and sore, tiny flakes like dandruff at the root of the eyelashes, dry eyes, blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Our eyelids contain tiny glands that produce oils that help to keep the eyes moist. In blepharitis, these glands become blocked, which results in poor quality tears and this leads to any/all of the symptoms described above.

It responds well to simple treatment and is usually harmless.

However, in severe/untreated cases, there can be irreversible changes to the eyelids which will put the cornea (the clear window at the front of the eye) at risk.

Most of us want a quick fix that will magically improve symptoms but there is no such thing. The treatment is known as “lid hygiene” and this should be done twice daily, ideally even when the symptoms are not there, to prevent the condition causing further problems. It consists of 3 main parts: HEAT: This widens the eyelid glands, melts the oily secretions blocking the openings of the glands and softens any eyelash flakes.

MASSAGE: This pushes out the oil from the tiny eyelid glands, helping to unblock them.

CLEAN: Eyelid scrubs/wipes clean the eyelids and eyelashes and reduce the inflammation. This is the best way to reduce symptoms but many people use baby shampoo with good results too.

Artificial tears will help to make the eyes more comfortable but won’t solve the problem and in more advanced cases antibiotics may also be needed. Some people are prone to blepharitis and may need to continue lid hygiene for some time or even indefinitely.

For further information, please call 01505 614 700.

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 15th JANUARY

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

JANUARY 2020

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 15th JANUARY

Finance & Tech

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Wizard of Oz panto by KDS by Graham Peters

GVRC Speaker Meetings We have enjoyed a number of interesting talks at our weekly meetings. Here are some from the last few weeks.

Wednesday 20th November – Ian Black “Holiday Photo-show” (I/r) Wednesday 27th November – Linda Winters and Margaret M o n c r i e f f “ S c o t t i s h Huntington’s Association” (below) All speaker/ dinner meetings are at the River Inn, Crosslee at 7pm for 7.30pm.

Guests who are interested in finding out more about Rotary or the specific topic are very welcome.

Prior booking is necessary by email to gryffevalley rotary@gmail. com .

Wednesday 12th December – Stuart Baird and John Haskell “Glasgow’s Motorways” (left).

How to allocate your Income

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd Christmas has gone and many are dreading the January credit card bill landing on the doormat. This stress can be avoided with a little planning. How we allocate our income is the core problem in building up debt – many of us get the order wrong – it should be that from our gross income the money is allocated as follows First, we pay our Taxes – for many of us this takes up around 1/3rd of our income, leaving us to live on the rest.

Next is Mandatory expenditures – things we must pay live mortgage or rent, utility bills, food on the table, etc Third in line should be wealth creation/ wealth protection – building up savings and wealth for the future and having suitable insurances in place to protect us from the financial consequences of ill health or death. This should be a minimum of 10% of our income but 20% should be the target, although much depends on individual circumstances.

Next should be Desirable expenditure – buying quality purchases, shopping in the higher end shops and buying premium brand goods.

Last comes Dispensable expenditures – having a foreign holiday, buying a prestigious car, having 2 cars rather than 1, etc However, for many step 3 – the wealth creation/ wealth protection steps get missed or relegated to step 5. The problem is that the desirable and dispensable expenditures have used up all the money and there is nothing left to save. So, if you have spent all the money every month how can you possibly save enough to have a good quality lifestyle later?

It requires a little discipline – don’t overspend and follow steps 1 – 5 above and you will have a stress-free financial future. Next January you won’t be worried about the credit card bill as your spending will have been planned in advance!

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 595060 or email info@affluentfp. co.uk. Alternatively, pop into the Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www. affluentfp.co.uk

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JANUARY 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

Rotary Club of Gryffe Valley PRESENTATION - PAUL HARRIS FELLOW President Hamid announced that a presentation was to be made to John Tuck. Hon. Secretary Allan noted that John had been our District Representative for several years and had been District Youth Services Convenor, which he had undertaken with distinction.

Shortly before he died, Rotarian Jim Watson had suggested that, in recognition of his service to Youth, John should be made a Paul Harris Fellow, and this had been endorsed unanimously by Council.

President Hamid is shown here presenting John with his certificate and lapel badge. John indicated his surprise at the nomination. He had enjoyed every moment of his time as Convenor and thanked the club for this award - which is a “first” for Gryffe Valley.

MEMBERSHIP – time to join?

Recently retired? New to the area? Want the opportunity to give something back?

Gryffe Valley Rotary has members from a wide area of West Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, including Kilmacolm, Quarriers, Bridge of Weir, Houston, Crosslee, Brookfield, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch. A leaflet which gives more detail of our activities has been produced and can be downloaded from the club website www.gryffevalley.rotary1230.org.

Individuals who are interested in furthering the excellent work of Rotary, whilst enjoying getting together with like-minded folk, should email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com to arrange a chat. District 1230 has waived membership fees for the remainder of the Rotary year to encourage potential new members!

GVRC INTERNATIONAL SERVICE At its business meeting on 4th December the club voted unanimously to pledge £500 towards the costs of equipping the Global Mercy – the world’s first purpose-built teaching hospital ship that will provide free medical care and training to the subSaharan region of Africa.

This project is expected to receive 1m USD funding from the Rotary Foundation.

The club has also agreed to donate funds for a further Shelterbox to be dispatched whenever the next emergency occurs

Self Assessment Deadline: More than 5.5 million taxpayers need to complete their return for the tax year 2018 to 2019 before the deadline of 31st January 2020.

You must send a tax return if, in the last tax year (6th April to 5th April), you were: • self-employed as a ‘sole trader’ and earned more than £1,000 • a partner in a business partnership

You will not usually need to send a return if your only income is from your wages or pension. But you may need to send one if you have any other untaxed income, such as: • money from renting out a property • tips and commission • income from savings, investments and dividends • foreign income

Help is available on GOV.UK and from the Self Assessment phone helpline 0300 200 3310.

LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR Law Awards of Scotland 2018

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what’s happening this month Bridge of Weir Lace Group

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Fortnightly Tuesday mornings (10am - 12noon). Further details phone (01505) 613967.

B i s h o p t o n

Gryffe Voices Community Choir (Mondays) Freeland Church, BoW 8pm to 9.45pm. Sing pop, rock, folk, show tunes, gospel. Contact gryffevoices@gmail.com

Bridge of Weir Society (Tuesdays)

Choral

Small Hall, St. Columba Church, Kilmacolm 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

All welcome.

BoW Senior Citizens Club 2nd & 4th Wednesday Cargill Hall 7pm - 9.15pm Tea, biscuits & a raffle each meeting along with entertainment.

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Hearing Aid Clinic

B r i d g e

3rd Friday each month The Bridge, BoW. 1pm - 2pm Hearing aid batteries and hearing aid checks.

The Terrace Last Friday in the month St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Hall Soups, sandwiches, tea/coffee, biscuits. £4.

O f

Bridge of Weir SWI

W e i r

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Bishopton | Bridge of Weir | Langbank Hi all, thank goodness all that electioneering is by, until the next election of course. There will be a few changes to the polling stations in future. Bridge of Weir Primary School will no longer be used but sorry to say that a suitable alternative to the new Dargavel Primary School could not be found. This will probably mean those children get a day off school on election days.

We are having the usual winter weather bringing rain and flooding, all eroding the tarmac and causing the potholes. Be careful out there and do let me know of anything that concerns you. It still annoys me that there is so much surface water and flooding.

Thank you to everyone who supported The Haven Kilmacolm’s project to collect warm clothing etc. for the homeless. I must say that the response from everyone has been very gratifying. They now have more than enough and will be helping out in some of the nearby towns and charities as well as Glasgow.

The number of people interested in joining in with a Men’s Shed in Bridge of Weir is growing. If anyone would like to come along to visit a men’s shed in the area to see what goes on there then please get in touch with me and we can organise a visit.

I hope you have had a very good Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year.

Please note my surgery details: • Langbank Parish Church Hall - 1st Monday of month (6.30pm) • Bridge of Weir Cargill Hall - 2nd Monday of month (6.30pm) • Bishopton Community Library - 3rd Monday of month (6.30pm) For further information on any of the above, please contact me by phone on 0300-300-1291 or by email to cllr.james.maclaren@ renfrewshire.gov.uk . Check out my Facebook page for more information and copies of my community council reports etc. www. facebook.com/councillormaclaren. Please feel free to contact me with any of your concerns, and I am happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time.

L a n g b a n k

For full information and contact details please check out: www. bishoptoncommunitycentre.com

Monday Ladies Badminton: 10am – 12noon Bridge: 1pm – 3pm Yoga: 1.30pm – 2.30pm Tai Chi: 3pm – 4pm French: 3.30pm – 5.30pm Rainbows: 6pm – 7pm Brownies: 6pm – 7.15pm Guides: 7.30pm – 10pm Trefoil Guild: (1st Monday in month) 7.30 – 10pm

Tuesday Toddlers: 10am – 11.30am Crochet: 1pm – 3pm Brownies: 6.15pm – 7.30pm Singing for Wellbeing: 6pm – 7.15pm Ladies Badminton: 8pm – 10pm

Wednesday Slimming World: 8am – 11.30am Karate: 6.30pm – 7.30pm Bridge Club: 7pm – 10pm Yoga: 8pm – 9pm

Thursday

We will meet on Thursday 9th January at Old Ranfurly Golf Club at 7.15pm for 7.30pm.

Toddlers: 10am – 11.30am

Also thank you to everyone who made our 80th birthday meal so special in December.

Friday Funtime: 10am – 11.30am

Dancing: 3.30pm – 9pm

Friday French: 2pm – 3pm Clyde Judo: 6pm – 8pm

Sunday

Got NEWS?

Karate: 10.30am – 11.30am Kettlebells: 12noon – 1pm

Got any local news? Please send your news in to info@advertizer. co.uk.

Pictures are welcome but we do ask that they be at least 1MB in size, .jpg files, and no smaller than 5cm in width or height.

This is all to ensure that pictures are printed clearly and not blurry or pixelated!

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Gledstane Road, Bishopton PA7 5AU. Tel: 01505 863354

Toddlers: 1.15pm – 2.45pm

Our first meeting of the new year will be an illustrated talk by Peter Macfarlane on his travels around India.

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Bishopton Community Centre

Model Bus Federation Meeting: (Once a month) 1pm – 4pm

Churches in Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir LANGBANK PARISH CHURCH: Sunday Services 10am with Sunday School, Crèche and young people’s group, the Welcomers.

Tea/coffee after the service. Come along and meet in the Hall from 9.50am.

FREELAND CHURCH - For details please check website: www.freelandchurch.org.uk ST MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Johnstone Rd, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3EE. Sunday Service 10am. Contact: Rev. Heller G. 01505 872961 www.heartlandsec.org/BoW ST MACHAR’S RANFURLY CHURCH: Regular Sunday morning services at 10.30am, for more info check out our website: stmacharsranfurlychurch.org.uk and Facebook.

HOPE HALL: Sun 1.15pm Sunday School, 4.30pm Gospel Service; Mon 6pm Investigators for Kids, 7.30pm Bible Study and Prayer. www.bridgeofweirchurch.co.uk BISHOPTON PARISH CHURCH: Sunday Services: 9.45am Early Bird Service @ The Cornerstone. 11.30am Morning Worship at The Church (Erskine Ferry Road). Please see our website Bishoptonkirk.org.uk or Facebook for further details as we have Family Services at the beginning of each month which alternate between Church and Cornerstone.

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JANUARY 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

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Happy New Year!!

Let 2020 be the year you resolve to find a happier you with Laserlight’s massive 40% discount offer!

Whether you have an unwanted tattoo, hair where it really ought not to be or a skin blemish that irritates you, Laserlight Clinic has a treatment to help.

We specialise in Laser Treatments for the removal of unwanted hair, tattoos and skin conditions. We have recently also become an Advanced Electrolysis Clinic meaning we can effectively remove Skin Tags, Thread Veins, Warts and Milia using the industry leading Sterex system.

Throughout January selected Laser treatments are a massive 40% off!

Call before 31st January to book a consultation and secure your discount.

Christmas Tree Recycling Bishopton Scout Group Christmas Tree Recycling Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and are having a relaxing festive break.

B i s h o p t o n

The Bridge Happy New Year to our customers, volunteers and employees.

Thank you for using the Post Office, Shop and Community Centre during 2019.

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The use of the Community Centre continues to increase. Make it the place in the centre of the village to catch up with friends. The monthly Hearing Clinic is used by local residents and is very much appreciated as it can avoid a journey to the RAH. Surgeries are held by several of our elected representatives. Films are shown on a fortnightly basis - please collect the new list of films for the first half of 2020.

B r i d g e

The private room within The Bridge is available for rent on an hourly basis during opening hours. Please ask any of the volunteers who will arrange for the Trustee responsible for booking to make contact.

Art Exhibition - From mid January we are pleased to host an art exhibition in aid of St Vincent’s Hospice. Please support this local charity.

O f

The Shop - throughout the year we are continually reviewing our stock of cards and introducing new designs to ensure our extensive selection of Greetings Cards is maintained. The Bridge is the goto place to buy your essential stationery items, post-cards of your local area and pocket money toys.

W e i r

As we enter another year we must give a ‘Thank You’ to our team of dedicated volunteers as without them The Bridge could not operate. Please make their day by popping in to view all The Bridge has to offer.

■ L a n g b a n k

Why not make things easier by booking your tree uplift and recycling date. We collect from the Bishopton/Dargavel area and ask for a minimum donation of £7.50. You can book yours in by clicking on the Book Now button on our Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/Bishoptontrees/ Thank you from your local Scout Group.

Your Ward 11 Councillors James MacLaren, Natalie Don, Colin McCulloch | Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors

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Community Council Visitors welcome at monthly meetings BISHOPTON: Primary School: 1st Thursday at 7.30pm www.bishoptoncouncil.com BRIDGE OF WEIR: 1st Tuesday, Cargill Hall: 7pm www.bridgeofweir.org LANGBANK: Church Hall: 2nd Wed at 7.30pm

Community Halls to Let Bridge of Weir: Freeland Church. Tel: 612245

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what’s happening this month ■ k i l m a c o l m

■ q u a r r i e r s

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Monday Bridge Club

Cargill Community Centre 7pm.

For information contact the Club Secretary, Sheena Clayton, on 01505 873802.

Local Police Surgeries

4th Monday local neighbourhood officer surgery in the Community Centre 10.30am - 11.30am.

Tuesday Crafty Play Café

Quarriers Village Café, Faith Avenue 10am-12noon; 12noon -2pm; 2pm - 4pm. £2 for kids craft materials (optional)

Wednesday Knitting Group

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon.

Babies, Bumps and Boobs

St. Columba’s Church Lesser Hall, Duchal Road (term-time).

1st Wednesday in the month.

Contact playgroup membership@gmail.com

Inverclyde Carers Outreach

Cargill Centre, 11am - 2pm. 2nd Wednesday in the month.

Email: enquiries@inverclyde carerscentre.org.uk or call: 01475 735180.

‘Outlook’

Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. 1st & 3rd Thursday in the month.

Guest speakers, afternoon tea, local issues. All welcome.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Kilmacolm | Quarriers St Fillan’s Church Fundraising Burn’s Night

The Angel Voices Community Children’s Choir is doing well!

St. Fillans Church, Kilmacolm have rearranged their postponed Alternative Burns Night for Friday 17th January 2020 in the Church Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm at 7.30pm. (Please note change of date from previous advert). Tickets available from Mo on tel: 07789 077749 at £10 each which includes a haggis dinner, glass of wine on arrival, a short Scottish quiz and entertainment. Please come along and support us for a fun evening.

New Year bin collections If refuse collections are delayed due to adverse weather conditions, please put your bins out by 7am every day to allow collections at the earliest opportunity.

Large cardboard packaging and additional recyclates can be placed beside your blue bin for collection.

Revised follows:

collections

dates

as

Friday 27th December now on Saturday 28th December

Sòlas Bereavement Support Group

Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st normal collection

Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. 2nd Thursday in the month.

Wednesday 1st January now on Friday 3rd January

Movie Night

Thursday 2nd January now on Saturday 4th January

Old Kirk, 7pm for 7.30pm. Last Thursday in the month.

Saturday Volunteer Group

Friday 3rd January now on Sunday 5th January

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm Conservation Volunteers, adult group.

Newcomers always welcome.

Guide Hut to Hire

Main hall, kitchen facilities and outdoor area. Perfect for children’s parties, weekly classes and one off special occasions. Contact Julie: 07967 371595 or e: guidehutbooking@ gmail.com.

Annual Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning Tuesday 25th February from 10am - 12noon St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm.

With lovely freshly made pancakes, home baking, raffle and various stalls. Tickets £3.

The Choir’s Musical Director is Mrs Anne Lawrence and Michael Hepburn is Accompanist and Assistant Teacher. The Choir will be singing at the Inverclyde Music Festival for the 7th year running. Rehearsals are on Fridays at 6pm in St Fillan’s Hall, Kilmacolm – Juniors (age 4 to 7years) and Seniors (Voices+ 8 to 12 years). Contact: Maureen Russell: email maureenmrussell@ hotmail.com or mob. 07905 950028.

Kilmacolm Church & Scout fundraisers The Kilmacolm Scouts have 2 fundraising events coming up to raise money for our international trip next summer. We are hoping to take a group to Norway in July and would like to keep the cost for the young people as low as we can by raising money.

Our Quiz and Curry night will be on Saturday February 1st in the Scout Hall at 7pm. This is always a really enjoyable night.

Tickets are £10 including quiz entry and curry with poppadoms and spiced onions. We have a bar and raffle on the night.

Call Mo on 07789 077749 for tickets.

We are also planning a night of music with 50s/60s group The Dynaglides which features one of our scout leaders Mo Todd as lead singer. We are still finalising details for this but it will be on Saturday 28th March and tickets will be £10. Tickets can be reserved in advance from Mo on 07789 077749.

Churches in Kilmacolm & Quarriers KILMACOLM OLD KIRK: Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk. Interim Moderator Revd Gary Noonan, Houston and Killellan Church, 01505 612569. Locum Rev Iain Ramsden (0141 316 1906). Morning worship: Sundays at 11am. January 19th United Service with St Fillan’s and St Columba’s in St Columba’s for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the celebration of Holy Communion. Tea and coffee served after every service.

ST COLUMBA CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: (Charity no. SC007992) Morning Worship Sundays at 11am. All welcome.

GRACE CHURCH KILMACOLM: in association with Downavale Free Church of Scotland. Sunday Service at 10.30am in Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, PA13 4QF. ST COLM’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Smithy Brae Kilmacolm. Rev. Vincent Byrne. Family mass Sundays 10am with children’s liturgy.

Eucharistic service Thursdays 11am. Rosary Tuesdays 6.30pm. Prayer group meets Thursdays 7.30pm. Further information and contact details www.stcolmsparish.co.uk BUDDHIST MEETINGS: Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. Call Margaret on 01505 871343.

ST FILLAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Moss Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4DL. Service of Eucharist on Sundays at 11.30am except the first Sunday of the month at 11.30am is the Service of Matins: Wednesday 10.30am Holy Communion: On last Sunday of the month 6pm (Said) Evensong: Clergy: The Revd Heller Gonzalez (01505-2961); Pastoral Assistant Maureen Russell (01505872905). Find us on www.heartlandsec/org/KLM/index.html MOUNT ZION CHURCH: Rev. Andy Lunn BSc, (01475 791282) Mount Zion Church, Law View Road, Quarriers Village, PA11 3FD. Sunday Worship: 10.30am, Bible Study and Prayer Meetings: Wednesday at 7pm and Friday at 10am.

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JANUARY 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 I trust that all Advertizer readers had an enjoyable Christmas celebration and I wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year.

December was very much filled with Schools activity with the odd Election thrown in. PGHS, St Michael’s, St Francis, Newark, KPS and St Columba’s all had various events to mark Christmas. December is the most enjoyable month in the year and it is encouraging to see the talent on display. PGHS had Saturday study sessions for the prelims, 95 pupils turned up at the first voluntary session requiring extra classrooms. This is an excellent initiative by the management team.

The Class 314 fleet of ScotRail trains that served Inverclyde for 40 years have finally been taken out of service and will be scrapped.

In the 60’s the line through Crosslee, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm suffered from the Beeching cuts. The Paisley and Gryffe Transport Forum constantly monitors the solum and fights attempts to build on it. I am sure the line would be very popular if reinstated.

James Watt the inventor who was born in Greenock died in 1819. He was associated with the invention of the steam engine which was a key architect of the industrial revolution. The Council marked this 200 year anniversary with a reception at the James Watt Institution and a splendid dinner at the Town Hall. A special James Watt tartan has been woven to mark the occasion.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency have produced a flood plain map and there have been in the recent past three local house planning applications refused by SEPA on the grounds of ground flood risk. On one of these they recommended mitigation but with the others outright refusal. All meetings I attend refer to the Climate Emergency. There is no doubt that the way we do things are changing with considerable implications for our lives.

The Heritage Centre Gallery in the Cargill has been a great success.

Credit is due to the committee, Jim Wood, Mike Jefferis, Edwin Fisher, Cate Young, Graham Roxburgh, Frank Walker and Anne McGregor. We believe that the project had gone as far as it could and we have wound it up, with the physical assets transferred to KNCC and the monies to the Civic Trust who are currently cataloguing and digitising their village memorabilia.

I helped the Christmas Lights switch on at Port Glasgow, Quarriers Village and Kilmacolm. Thanks at the latter to Caitlin who did the button pressing, the KPS choir for super singing and Susan and Gary of the Cargill for arrangements. The Community Council organised the raffle with the proceeds contributing to a defibrillator.

Once again the village stalwart, Alda of the Cross Café, organised the wonderful seasonal baskets. Quarriers youngsters are most enthusiastic; I arrived to a party in full swing! One Karaoke song had words in Arabic, great tune delivered enthusiastically. Council employees contribute professionally to these events and there was a senior officer on site to keep Councillor Curley and myself on message!

I attended the well patronised CO-OP tea dance in the Cargill. A quite excellent affair. The new CO-OP has been an invaluable addition to the village and recognises its community responsibilities.

My surgeries are 11th January 10am - 11am Cargill, 5.30pm - 6.30pm St Mary’s Episcopal Port Glasgow. I can be contacted on: david. wilson@invercyde.gov.uk 01475 741969 and 712975 and 07766 992294.

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Old Kirk News We are getting to know our new locum minister, the Rev. Iain Ramsden. Iain was in the Royal Navy and then worked for Customs and Excise before feeling the call to the ministry. He served as minister on the Black Isle for 13 years, and after retiral, Iain has been locum in Ferguslie Park, Easterhouse and Erskine before coming to the Old Kirk in November. The congregation is very pleased to have his help and ministry in this interim period.

It was lovely to see our former minister Peter McEnhill and his wife Linda back in church in November. Peter is settling into life as the minister of St Andrews Church in Rome, becoming familiar with the neighbourhood and the city and taking Italian lessons. His congregation in Rome is very international due to the number of embassies and non-governmental organisations present in the city.

January sees Kilmacolm Dramatic Society making the first preparations for our 2020 Spring production, a well known comedy, which will take place in the Kidston Hall on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 22nd - 24th April.

We’re delighted to welcome back as our director Alison Holliman, who so successfully directed Calendar Girls, Play On! And A Christmas Carol for us.

There’ll be a reading of the play in KNCC at 7.30pm on Monday 13th January, with the audition at the same time and venue on Thursday 16th January. If you’re at all interested, we’d love to see you there.

We’re always delighted to welcome new members - to act, help with costumes, make-up, lighting, set design and building, stage management or publicity. If you’re interested and would like more information, contact President Claire Fraser on claire.fraser@ scotech.ltd.uk or Rosie Thirde on rosiethirde33@gmail.com

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OUTLOOK is a social community group open to everyone come along to the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm from 2pm - 4pm to enjoy delicious afternoon teas made by our team, meetings include guest speakers, quizzes, tombola, travelogues.

Everyone is most welcome.

q u a r r i e r s

Programme for January: 2nd January

NO MEETING

16th January

Inverclyde Libraries: “What can they do for you?” An interesting talk about the resources of the library by librarians Laura and William.

Film Night 30th January

The King and I. 7pm for 7.30pm. The Old Kirk Free entry and the offer of a glass of wine.

Donation if desired to support the creation of a Pilgrim Pathway in Kilmacolm.

Winter / Spring Events to look out for ...

6th February:

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Words and Music - a special quiz devised by Eileen Green

20th February: Tales of Mystery and Intrigue with author and storyteller Jim Dunlop 5th March:

Gentle Keep Fit with our friend Grace

OK FEST 6th - 8th March Early Bird notice

This year’s festival will include The McHart Ceilidh Band, Glasgow Youth Choir (who most recently performed at BBC’s Proms in the Park) and a return of the Westerton Male Voice Choir.

Full details of the programme will be in the February Advertizer and also in flyers posted around the village.

19th March:

Kilmacolm Dramatic Society

k i l m a c o l m

Ceol Mor Celidh bandled by Archie Gardner

SOCIAL MEDIA In addition to the website - kilmacolmoldkirk. org.uk, you can follow the Old Kirk on Facebook at Kilmacolm OldKirk@kilmacolmold and Twitter and Instagram @ kilmacolmold

Your Ward 1 Councillors David Wilson, Stephen McCabe, Christopher Curley | Advice Surgeries: http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/meetings/councillors/

Community Council Visitors welcome at monthly meetings Last Tuesday at 7.30pm, Kilmacolm Cargill Centre www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk Community Halls to Let Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 873994 Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Contact Julie on 07967 371595 or e: guidehutbooking@gmail.com.

Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 873059

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what’s happening this month

■ k i l b a r c h a n

■ H o w w o o d

■ L o c h w i n n o c h

■ E l d e r s l i e

Howwood Council

Community

Second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in Howwood Village Hall. All welcome.

Community Coffee Shop First Friday monthly - Howwood Parish Church from 10am 12noon. Adults £2 | Children free. All welcome.

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

Thursday Volunteer Group Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 3.30pm Conservation Volunteers - adult group. Newcomers welcome.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Kilbarchan | Howwood | Lochwinnoch | Elderslie Kilbarchan Messy Church After a very successful Christmas themed Messy Church we meet again on Saturday 18th January once all the festivities are over.

Our theme for the day is ‘Light of the World’ and we would be pleased to see children of all ages. Just remember to bring an adult with you to join in the fun. We start at 4pm and usually finish about 6pm having all sat down to eat together.

If you have been before we look forward to welcoming you back and if you haven’t been along yet why not give it a try.

Thursday Memory Café Active Communities Hub, 16 Quarry Street, Johnstone, 1pm - 3pm. For people living with Alzheimer’s, or any type of dementia, their families, friends & carers.

Sunday Volunteer Group Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon. Youth Volunteer Group - age 14 - 18 years.

Newcomers welcome.

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club The club resumes on Monday 6th January from 9.15am 11.30am in the church hall. All tots welcome, along with their accompanying adult.

Knitting Bee Fortnightly on Tuesdays 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

Cuppa and a Chat Pop in to Kilbarchan Parish Church hall on the first Monday of the month between 1.30pm and 3pm for a “cuppa” and a chat - all welcome.

Gryffe Club

Scottish

Dancing

Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm, Kilbarchan Guide Centre Come along and have fun whilst enjoying good company, music and exercise. Whether experienced or a new dancer, all welcome.

Tuition given for beginners, we don’t go overboard and it’s a very relaxed atmosphere.

For further information just phone Les Lambert at 01505 704398.

Lochwinnoch SWI Welcome to 2020, we hope everyone had a lovely time over the festive season. We can now look forward to a new year. Our next meeting is on January 15th at 7.30pm in McKillop Hall.

A touch of Local Renfrewshire history is our subject this month with Helen Calcuth coming to tell us all about the Weavers of Kilbarchan.

We look forward to welcoming members and friends, please remember to bring a mug for tea and coffee and, of course, cake . Further info from Elma at 843193 or richmond32@tiscali. co.uk

Planning App Burnfoot Road by Stewart Milne Holmes Lights at Kilnknowe Cottages, Howwood Church Street resurfacing At the end of 2018 I attended a special meeting of Howwood Community Council members, Ward Councillors, and Tom Arthur MSP to talk in particular about the upgrade of the A737 which is such a health and safety issue for the village. I made the point to Mr Arthur that the Scottish Government has to play fair by the people of Howwood and at the very least install speed cameras to try and change driver behaviour and make the road safer. We are now sadly a year further down the line with no signs of speed cameras, and I wish to serve notice on the Scottish Government and the City Deal authorities that I will not tolerate this inaction much longer.

Whilst there are many roads across my ward which still need dire attention I am glad to see that my casting vote for the Administration’s increased funding for roads repair at the last budget is paying off. One hot spot in particular which has been significantly repaired is the historic Church Street in Kilbarchan, which arguably could be at the heart of the medieval settlement.

For many years the road there was truly dreadful but I am pleased to see it is now very much up to standard.

Housing Developers Stewart Milne have a planning application into Renfrewshire Council to build a large scale development in the Burnfoot Road area of Lochwinnoch. I would strongly urge all my Lochwinnoch constituents to e mail Renfrewshire Council to give their opinion on this application, be it for or against. The deadline for objections must be made by 1st February 2020. Please email the Planning Department on dc@renfrewshire.gov.uk and make your views known.

My advice surgery in Kilbarchan is on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in the Steeple Hall at 7.30pm, and Howwood is on the 4th Wednesday of the month in Howwood Village Hall at 6.30pm, then at Lochwinnoch also on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the McKillop at 7.30pm. But I am also always available to constituents who can call me on 07534 148224, tweet me on CllrAndy4Ward8, facebook me on Independent Voice/Ward9JohnstoneAndVillages, or e-mail me at cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Churches in Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie Kilbarchan Parish Church: The service on Sunday 5th January is at 11am and will be followed by a short Celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Services continue for the rest of January, with Junior Church and the crèche at 11am, conducted by Rev Stephen Smith and Mrs Dorothy Wallace. Refreshments are served in the hall after each service. All welcome.

Howwood Parish Church: Sunday Service and Sunday School. 10am each Sunday. Prayer meeting held at 3 Bowfield Way, Howwood, 7.30pm on Tuesdays.

Lochwinnoch Parish Church: Mary 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.

Elderslie Kirk: Sunday service every week at 11am. Reverend G. Gray Fletcher is now with us. All welcome. Weekly meetings:- Monday Club every week from 12noon - 2.30pm. Light lunch and a varied activity programme. Midweek Fellowship will meet every Wed from 10.30am for Tea/Coffee followed by a short Service of Worship at 11am.

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JANUARY 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 Would you know what to do in an emergency? ♥ 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 ♥ 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: ♥ CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) ♥ Heart Attack ♥ Recovery position ♥ Choking ♥ Serious bleeding To learn the simple skills that save lives, contact Morag Thow on 07868 752814 to book onto one of our courses in 2020: Tuesday 28th January 7pm - 9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge Tuesday 25th February 1pm -3pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge Tuesday 17th March 7pm -9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge If you have a group in the Lochwinnoch/Howwood area that would like a Heart Start Course, Liz and Morag are pleased to come to your group to deliver the course.

Howwood Community Council There has been a lot going on in Howwood over the past year and here’s to 2020 being a great year for the community.

Last June we had a well attended and constantly improving Village Fete with lots of interest for both young and not so young.

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k i l b a r c h a n

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Our Village Ceilidh at the end of November was a brilliant success.

Great fun for all those who could dance and a great laugh for those who couldn’t!

L o c h w i n n o c h

Our Christmas Lights Switch On was, on a bitterly cold and seasonal evening, very busy and enjoyable with lots of children (and grown ups) meeting Santa with his helping Shetland ponies. Santa sat patiently in the cold giving out gifts to all the children.

During November and December you may have noticed a hive of activity in the Howwood park. There has been a new fence erected along the Midton Road stretch of the park, a zip wire and a new children’s play area installed.

During January there will be a new path created around the perimeter of the park. There are also ideas for exercise equipment.

This has been entirely due to the funding efforts of Howwood Community Council with the quiet but invaluable assistance of a very industrious Howwood villager. There will be lots more to follow on the park over the next year.

Just to let you know, there are TWO DEFIBRILLATORS in HOWWOOD.

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One at the entrance to The Howwood Hall in Station Road.

One at the side of Christ The King Church, top of Bowfield Road.

Both have a flashing light at night.

E l d e r s l i e

Wishing you all well for the coming year.

Your Ward 9 Councillors Andy Doig, Derek Bibby, Bill Binks, Emma Rodden | Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors

Community Council Visitors welcome at monthly meetings Howwood: Village Hall: 2nd Tues at 7.30pm. | www.howwood.com/ community-council.php Kilbarchan: Steeple Hall: monthly at 7.30pm. | www.kilbarchan. info/community_council.html Lochwinnoch: Bowling Club: 1st Tues at 7.30pm

Community Halls to Let

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Kilbarchan, Guide Centre. Tel: 702758.

Kilbarchan, Old Library Centre. Tel: 706070

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

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A Happy New Year to all Advertizer readers and everyone in Kilbarchan Howwood and Lochwinnoch.

k i l b a r c h a n

One of the issues to feature most prominently on the National stage in 2019, surrounds the impact of Environmental and Climate change, and there is little doubt that this will continue to be the case in the coming year.

Old Library Centre Happy New Year to all our volunteers, supporters and customers. I hope you are all looking forward to 2020.

We will be opening again with all our usual activities on the 6th January.

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Monday:

Pilates at 10am

Spanish Conversation 2pm (with U3A)

H o w w o o d

Tuesday:

Craft Group 2pm (every 2nd Tuesday)

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Please note that as from the 6th January 2020 the Computer Room is being leased to a private local company. We will have 2 computers in the Reading Room for the public to use so our usual service of being able to browse the Internet and using printing facilities will continue as normal.

L o c h w i n n o c h

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Wednesday: Yoga at 10am and 7.30pm is currently full Thursday:

Pilates at 9.45 am

Move It or Lose It 2pm

Friday:

Yoga 10am

Bridge 2pm

We also have a Book Group that meets once a month on a Tuesday at 7.15pm. The next meeting is on Tuesday 14th January where we will be discussing “Picnic at Hanging Rock” by Joan Lindsay.

For details about any of our activities please phone 01505 706070 or email: kipcokil@hotmail.com

Kilbarchan National Women’s Register

Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly Village

Planning meeting on Wednesday 8th January 2020.

For further information, phone 348627 or visit the website: www.nwr.org.uk

A Great ‘Bring A Cushion’ Film Show on Friday 25th January 2020 Calder Church Contact Ann 07761 114567.

E l d e r s l i e

Locally there has been much discussion on this issue within Renfrewshire Council, focusing on the behaviour of governments, businesses and all of us as individuals. At recent meetings, the excessive use of packaging and plastics by local supermarkets and national online retailers was condemned. This is timely given that we have just passed at Christmas the peak time of the year for packaging. At the December full council meeting Councillors recognised that while legislation is in place to deal with the issue of excess packaging, this needs to be strengthened at a wider Scottish and UK level. Trading standards staff within the council are also being encouraged to take the necessary action against those retailers who fail to comply with present legislation. As noted we all have an individual responsibility to reduce current levels of packaging. Increased use of local businesses rather than on line retailers is a good starting point.

I am aware that the practice of unnecessary engine idling also has a major impact on the environment, particularly air quality. A fixed penalty fine of £20 has been available to councils for a number of years. Renfrewshire has thus far chosen the educational route with no enforcement. This approach however has not been working, and the council has now agreed not only to implement fixed penalty notices, but also to write to the Scottish Government with a recommendation that the fine should be increased beyond the current £20. It is not the intention to target those who leave their engines running for a few seconds, rather those in larger vehicles, which can often cause congestion and pollution in village streets.

I welcome this development and I believe that most motorists will have good regard for protecting the local environment when parking.

Of course, one of the biggest issues affecting the environment and the fabric of our communities, is the impact and implications of the plethora of planning applications and proposals, that have been prevalent in recent times, and which will continue to receive scrutiny in 2020. The proposed rezoning of Burnfoot Road from green belt to housing land supply in Renfrewshire Councils Local Development is a case in point, and one that throws these issues into sharp focus.

The disaffection of Lochwinnoch residents at this decision was again evident at a public meeting I attended at the beginning of December, where the prospect of building on a site that is a potential flood risk was raised. I have previously argued that the people best placed to determine what is in the best interests of our villages are the residents, The Local Development Plan will now be considered for approval at Holyrood, and I would urge everyone who has strong feelings on the local plan to lobby their local and regional MSPs to make their views known.

I will not be holding advice surgeries in January, but thereafter they will be on the first Saturday of the month at 9am in the McKillop Institute Lochwinnoch, 10am in Howwood Village Hall, 11am in the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan, and 12.30pm in Johnstone Town Hall.

Meantime please contact me at cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov. uk or phone 0300 300 1274 or 07534 156007.

Gryffe Scottish Country Dance Club We finished our winter term with a very successful Christmas Party Night attended by 30 enthusiastic dancers. Lively and uplifting music was played by Martainn Skeinn, an up and coming new young band leader.

The new term starts again on Thursday 9th January at 8pm, usual place - Kilbarchan Guide Centre. As well as welcoming back our regular dancers a warm welcome awaits any of our old gang thinking of getting back into the swing again, and of course, any new dancers who want to come along and try it out. It’s a great way to keep body and mind active and young as our age range of 18 to 90 testifies.

Also, get your diary out for our charity Easter Dance on 8th April with music by Marian Anderson. More details later.

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Les Lambert - 01505 704398.

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JANUARY 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

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Sally Beamish Composer Q & A Renowned composer Sally Beamish has recently premiered a new work at Lochwinnoch Choral Society’s annual Christmas Concert.

We caught up with Sally to ask her a few questions about this special commission, which was written to celebrate the 90th birthday of local Lochwinnoch poet and writer, Betty McKellar.

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival

March Friday 6th - Friday 13th Photography Exhibition Library hours - free event

...

Friday 13th

Sunday 22nd Three Choirs Parish Church - £8/£6

1. You lived in Scotland for almost half your life, what took you back to England. What is it about Scotland you most miss?

...

Monday 23rd Local writers & the Makar

Fusioneers Bowling club - 7.30pm £8/£6

Songs and Stories

Library - 2.15pm Donation

Sing for St Vincents

Calder Church in the Shop with Kirstin Innes Donation and Outi Smith ReMode, 39 ...

High Street £8/£6 BYOB

7.30pm

-

...

Tuesday 24th

Saturday 14th

Gilbert & Sullivan & Operetta Night

Laura Telford Exhibition Golf Club - 12noon to 5pm - free event

Hesu and Zuba Golf club - 7.30pm £8/£6

Ragin’ Twilight Three Churches - 9pm free event

...

Wednesday 18th

Parish Church - 7.30pm £8/£6

...

Wednesday 25th Glasgow Theatre Guild Parish Church - 7.30pm £8/£6

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Thursday 26th Witches’

Brew

at

ROAR

McKillop - 1pm - free event

Opening of Art Exhibition Calder Drama Society

Library - 7pm By invitation

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Thursday 19th

McKillop - 7.30pm £7/£5

...

Friday 27th

Christine Bovill Paris Show Village Live night McKillop - 7.30pm £10/£8

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Friday 20th - Friday 27th Art Exhibition Library hours - free event

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Friday 20th

Lochbarr - 7.30pm - free event

Calder Drama Society McKillop - 7.30pm £7/£5

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Saturday 28th All day Authors (McKillop) Diarmid MacArthur

Moira Monologues

10.30am - 11.30am £6/£4

McKillop - 7.30pm £10/£8

Melanie Reid

Calder Church Production 12.30pm - 1.30pm £6/£4 Calder Church Donation Rock and Roll Billy Hampson

7.30pm £10/£8

...

Corner Bar - 9pm free event

John Hinshelwood Band Brown Bull - 9pm free event

...

Saturday 21st All day Craft Fair McKillop - 11am to 4pm free event

Travelling Gallery McKillop - 11am to 4pm free event

Sunday 29th Scone Day McKillop 11am to 5pm Contact David Bain

Come & Try Pottery McKillop - 10am to 4pm £5

Fiddle Workshop McKillop - 10am to 12noon £5

Accordion Workshop

Rose Room & John Goldie McKillop - 1.30pm - 3.30pm £5 McKillop - 7.30pm £10/£8

Sean Middleton Corner Bar - 9pm free event

...

Janey Godley McKillop - 7.30pm £15

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Once my children had left home, I felt drawn to return to my own country, and in August I married for the second time, to an English writer, Peter Thomson. We have settled in a house that belonged to his parents, in Brighton, which is a wonderful place to live. However, if you raise your family in another country, you never again really know where ‘home’ is. I have three Scottish children, and I realise now that to a large extent I feel Scottish myself. I miss Scotland every day, and of course it has left its mark on my music, and continues to be an inspiration in my work.

H o w w o o d

2. The Lochwinnoch Choral Society were extremely excited to be premiering your new work ‘Christmas Light’, a commission to celebrate Betty McKellar’s 90th birthday, at their Christmas Concert. Can you tell us how important it was to you to compose this particular piece?

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Ross Anderson approached me earlier this year about the choir possibly singing my setting of Cramasie Threid, to celebrate Betty’s birthday. As this wouldn’t really have worked for choir, I wondered if she had written a short Christmas-carol-type poem that would be more suitable for the occasion. She sent me several options, and I settled on Christmas Light.

3. When did you become aware of Betty McKellar? What made you think her work could be transposed to music?

I came across her poem Cramasie Threid when a friend, who was involved in an exhibition of Persian fabrics at Paisley, sent it to me. It had won a competition associated with the exhibition. I was fascinated not only by the vivid language, but also by the links between Scottish and Persian fabric design – brought together in the Paisley pattern.

4. Have you and Betty ever met each other? Have you visited Lochwinnoch before?

I’ve never visited Lochwinnoch, but I met Betty some years ago when I used her peom ‘Sangsters’ as the starting point for an orchestral work, which was performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. She came to the concert – and also sent me a lovely poem which was about watching me rehearse with the orchestra.

I was very touched!

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5. There is an inherent musicality to the Scots language, which Betty uses in many of her poems. As a composer do you find yourself drawn to poetry written Betty McKellar in this vernacular?

E l d e r s l i e

Yes, I love the musicality of the Scots language, and its links to song. I often reflect the speech patterns, without necessarily using voices.

6. Do you have any big projects planned for this new year?

Next year I’ll be working on a harp concerto and several smaller pieces. I’m also playing the viola again, so have quite a few concerts to prepare for.

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what’s happening this month ■ H o u s t o n

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Kirk Young Singers Group The young folk in Houston & Killellan Kirk have the exciting opportunity to develop their singing skills under the leadership of the talented Laura McKee. They don’t need to have the X Factor initially, but who knows where it will lead.

This is open to all Primary and Secondary school children, meeting in the Kirk on Thursdays (except school holidays) 7pm – 8pm. There are no fees – so kids, why not come and give it a try? No prior booking required – so just turn up! Follow the Kirk’s Facebook for updates.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Houston | Crosslee | Brookfield A new year always brings change which is not always welcome, so it is with great pleasure that I can state that Renfrewshire Council’s introduction of a new green bin for all householders, over a year ago, is improving our recycling rates. I am aware of the challenges of the new system but I cannot forget the recent warning by the great David Attenborough that climate change is one of the biggest threats to our current existence. That said, I do agree that governments should be putting more pressure on supermarket chains which create so much plastic packaging, but we must also take individual responsibility for creating a better world.

I would therefore urge in the months ahead that we all try and do all we can personally to reduce plastic wrappings in foodstuffs, to ensure that we are using the recycling bins properly for each category, then we will continue to improve our local recycling rates. At the end of the day the old adage is true that to think global we need to start by thinking local.

January and February can be amongst the coldest months of the year so I am glad to welcome the new grit bins policy which will ensure that all grit bins are regularly monitored which should improve the supply of grit for local residents.

Wednesday Conversation

French

Fox and Hounds, Houston at 9.30am till 12noon and alternate Tuesday from 2pm - 4pm. Details phone/text 07463 570464 or email avril.forbes2015@outlook. com

My advice surgery in Brookfield is on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6.30pm in Brookfield Village Hall, and my advice surgery in Houston is on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Carrick Centre, Houston, at 7.15pm, excluding July and December. But I am also always available to constituents who can call me on 07768 130935, or e-mail me at cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Crafty Friends

Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Ave 11am - 1pm. Last Saturday in the month. Call 01505 328802 for details.

Litter

Please come and join us, everyone will be made very welcome. We meet in the Compass Centre, South Street, Houston on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. If you wish further information please contact, Arlene MacKay on 07932 459994.

Acoustic Night With local musicians “Scowling Wolf” 8pm - 10pm, Sunday 5th January 2020 Upstairs Bar, River Inn, Houston Special guest - Port Glasgow singer songwriter, John Morgan. Free entry.

If you’re interested in playing at future nights contact Rab on 07415 119754.

One of our team gave a short speech and we were reminded of our achievements for the Community during the year, including the orchard and our Keep Scotland Beautiful award of ‘Outstanding.’

Co-op Car Park 10am – 11.45am All volunteers welcome and all equipment supplied.

Acoustic Night First Sunday of the month, 8pm - 10pm, Upstairs bar, River Inn, Houston. If you’re interested in playing at future nights contact Rab on 07415 119754.

Unfortunately the quiz we were having in January has had to be cancelled.

Instead we will welcome, on January 8th, Laura McAusland who will give an illustrated talk on her recent trip to China. On February 12th we have a Gin and Fruit Cocktail Tasting at the Houston Inn.

We rounded off our year +with our annual Christmas lunch. It was really nice for us all to get together in clean clothes and shoes, without soil smudged faces and ‘hat hair.’ We’ll now be on holiday until the beginning of February, dependent on the weather.

Table Top Sale

Houston

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all our members and friends.

Bee Happy Houston

Chat with sewing/knitting/ cross stitch or anything you like.

First and third Thursday in the month. Contact Lorna Cairns 01505 612844. Shirley White 01505 610721

Sunday Crew

Houston & Crosslee SWI

It’s been an absolute pleasure to do this for our beautiful village in 2019 and we look forward to the Spring bulb season.

Thank you to HCC for their continuing support.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Churches in Houston Houston and Killellan Kirk: All Services in January will be led by the Rev. Gary Noonan unless otherwise stated. Sunday 5th, 12th - 11am - Morning Worship. Sunday 19th - 11am - Morning Worship, All age Communion Service. Sunday 26th - 11am Morning Worship. You can find out more about us at www.houstonkillellankirk.org 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 10am - 10.30am and after Vigil Mass. Baptism: By arrangement. Parish Priest:- Rev. Paul Brady. Assistant Priest:- Rev. Chima Kingsley Opara. Pastoral Assistant: Sr. Mary Frances Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514). Address: ‘Abbotsfield’, St. Fillan’s, Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. T. 01505 612046. E. StFillan@ rcdop.org.uk www.stfillan.org.uk Houston Baptist Church: Carrick Centre: 11am Family services with SS for children 5 - 12; Crèche provided; 6pm service; Midweek Home Bible Study; For more information contact; Rev. D. Snelson 01505 612722.

Church of the Nazarene: Village Hall, Main Street, Houston PA6 7EL. Rev Geoff Austin (Interim Pastor) Family Service at 10.30am, Creche available. Communion service first Sunday of the month. Tel 01505 610862. www.houston.nazarene.org.uk

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

JANUARY 2020

Houston & Killellan Kirk Got the blues after Christmas?

How about indulging in a luxury pop up breakfast on Saturday 25th January from 9am until 11.30am in the West Halls, Main Street, Houston.

Wee Sleep Out Overnight on Saturday 7th December around 100 young folk from Gryffe High School, Houston Kirk Youth Club, 1st Houston BB and Houston Scouts, took part in the Wee Sleep Out. This was to raise awareness of homelessness and raise money for Social Bite, a charity whose mission is to build a movement to end homelessness!

You can have freshly made porridge cereals, granola, yoghurts, prepared melon, pineapple and much more.

After enjoying that you can have prawns, salmon, cold meats, sweet and pickled herring, cold boiled eggs or a selection of cheeses. How about warm croissants brioche a variety of bread and bread rolls, not forgetting marmalade, lemon curd and jam all home made and some chocolate spread. Then maybe some cakes to finish off.

A wide selection of teas, fruit juices, coffee and milk.

Gluten free options will be available.

Please enjoy.

come

along

and

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The hardy young folk gathered in the lecture theatre, where they were entertained by some of the pupils’ bands, karaoke and bedtime stories. After some hot chocolate, they all headed out into the horrendous night to sleep outside – each with only a sleeping bag and a bivvy bag to protect them from the torrential rain and gales. It was amazing to see the young folk determined to brave the elements to raise awareness and funds for such a great cause. They slept around the building against the walls to try to get some protection from the high winds and driving rain. Amazingly come 6am they had managed it and the young folk were certainly glad that they had to do it for only one night!

Revd Gary Noonan, who was one of the hardy souls, said “It’s a national disgrace that we still have people who are homeless in this day and age! But it is truly inspiring to see our younger generation with a desire to make a difference. It was great to work with our friends at Gryffe High and our youth organisations and to show a really caring community! So far we have raised over £6,000.” If you wish to donate, the just-giving link is on Houston & Killellan Kirk and Gryffe High Facebook pages.

Tremendous Response To Warm Clothes Appeal

Donations on leaving, proceeds to send Solar Lamps to school students in Mwandi. ...

1st Houston Girls Brigade 1st Houston Girls Brigade would like to invite you to their Annual Winter Warmer fundraiser on Saturday 1st February 2020 from 12noon until 2pm. Take the winter chill away with a toastie with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tickets will be available after the New Year and will be priced at £2.50 each.

As expected from the generous congregation of Houston & Killellan Kirk, the result of the annual appeal for warm clothes for the homeless has not just been tremendous, but quite astonishing – well exceeding collections in previous years. Last year 16 full large black bags were collected. This year 27 bags were delivered to the Simon Community! Included in the bags were over 300 pairs of socks, 100 pairs of gloves, 100 hats & loads of thermals. For the first year there was a significant quantity of waterproofs – well suited to our changing climate. Lauren from the Simon Community, who do such wonderful work supporting the vulnerable homeless, said “We are once again overwhelmed by your generosity! Your kind gifts will help to keep the people we support warm and safe this winter.” The Mission Team at the Kirk echoed their appreciation of the support given to this key Home Mission appeal.

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Gift Service Response After the usual overwhelming support of the Gift Service appeal at Houston & Killellan Kirk for the children of prisoners at HMP Perth, Elaine at CrossReach has sent a letter of thanks to Revd Gary. Some quotes from her letter: “On behalf of our Centre at HMP Perth, we send our heartfelt thanks for your totally amazing donation of over 400 gifts, all of which were carefully chosen and thought out. Our families do comment on this and they really value all you do for them. The children are all so lovely, forgiving and kind. With your gifts, they do see that ‘we are all in this together’, which is such a valuable partnership for ourselves and our visitors. Our families know that each one of you shines a light in their darkness and they will be forever grateful. Children will remember these gifts as they get older. This intervention will hopefully guide them on the path to become good citizens in our communities.” Just some of the 400 plus gifts are pictured round the tree!

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Your Ward 10 Councillors Audrey Doig, Scott Kerr, Alison Jean Dowling, James Sheridan Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors

Community Council Visitors welcome at monthly meetings BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: 2nd Thursday 7.30pm February, April, June, August, October and December.

HOUSTON: Carrick Centre: 3rd Wednesday at 7.30pm | houstoncommcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

Community Halls to Let Brookfield, Village Hall. Tel: 335562 Houston, Carrick Centre. Tel: 690693 / 614039 / 674277 Houston, Compass Centre. Tel: Gillian Peters - 07879 407574 or 01505 613759.

Linwood Masonic Hall. Tel: 07825 222944

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

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Brookfield News A Happy New Year to all Brookfield residents!

The village enjoyed a busy festive season starting with the Christmas Tree Light Switch-on event on Sunday 1st December.

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, plenty of villagers turned out for the event and enjoyed the welcome refreshments and the screening of ‘The Snowman’ back at the Hall thereafter. Thanks to our very own village brass players, the Brookfield Brass Necks, for their musical contribution!

The addition of a fire-pit kept the cold at bay for all concerned but particularly the musicians! We would also like to say a huge thank you once again to Gowanlea Nurseries & Garden Centre for their kind donation of the splendid tree which brightened up the entrance to the village throughout December.

At the time of going to press, we look forward to enjoying the remainder of social events in the village throughout December, culminating in the Hogmanay Dance in the Village Hall. An excellent night is promised and we look forward to welcoming live band ‘Pinnacle’ to Brookfield.

Brookfield Village Council would like to thank all those who helped with the various events throughout December and indeed, the year as a whole – your contribution is much appreciated and these events would not be possible without you. Volunteers are always welcome – contact us on brookfieldvpa@gmail.com if you would like to get involved in 2020.

NEW YEAR NEW YOU! As we look forward to 2020, we may just have the answer to all those good intentions and New Year resolutions to get fitter. A number of classes take place in the Village Hall on a weekly basis (starting w/c 6th January) as follows:

Callanetics:

PiYo:

Special exercises designed for every part of the body will tighten and lift the buttocks, reduce the hips, flatten the tummy, and firm the arms and legs - to give you the figure you’ve always dreamed of - now!

Age is not a barrier - Callanetics is so safe that even eighty-year-olds can do these exercises. Originally developed for bad backs, Callanetics uses small and delicate movements consistently applied.

The programme has no sudden jerking or hard impact, which can cause harm to the body.

Contact Gwyneth on 07850 382238 for more information.

PiYo is a new fitness class that combines the muscle sculpting, core firming benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility advantages of Yoga - and the speed is cranked up to deliver a true fat burning, low impact workout that leaves your body looking long, lean and incredibly defined.

Contact Gemma on 07909 993423 for more information.

CLASS TIMES: Monday: 7pm - 8pm

Wednesday: 5.15pm - 6.15pm 6.15pm - 7.15pm 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Thursday: 9.30am - 10.30am

Friday: 9.15am - 10.15am 10.30am - 11.30am

Zumba®: Zumba® takes the “work” out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin rhythms take over, you’ll see why Zumba® Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise.

A total workout, combining all elements of fitness: cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, resulting in boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class. Contact Gemma on 07909 993423 for more information.

CLASS TIMES: Tuesday: 6.30pm - 7.30pm

CLASS TIMES: Tuesday: 7.30pm - 8.15pm Ballroom/Latin: If the recent series of ‘Strictly’ has inspired you to get dancing, then come and give it a try with Ballroom Basics with Stewart & Jane Wilson. Ballroom dancing is a great way to stay in shape and help improve your memory at the same time. Dancing isn’t just about the steps and music; it can enhance your life in so many ways. Various studies have shown that dancing on a regular basis can improve your heart, cardio vascular system and keep your minds active. It also helps relieve stress and tension. Contact Stewart (07710 464969) or Jane (07729 624798) or email ballroombasics@live. co.uk for further information.

CLASS TIMES: Thursday:

7pm - 8pm (Beginners)

8pm - 9pm (Intermediate)

Saturday: 11am - 12.30pm (Mixed Ability)

VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENTS: New dimmable LED panel lighting has been installed in the Hall which is a huge improvement over the previous old fluorescent fittings, both in terms of the quality of light and energy efficiency. In addition, the car park area has benefited greatly from new LED floodlights.

Facebook: brookfieldvillage.org Twitter: @BrookfieldVPA e-mail: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com Web: www.brookfieldvillage.org

Houston Play Park Improvement Group Thank you to all the children who have been voting for the name of the play park. All votes have been counted and verified and the park will be named HELICOPTER PARK. Thank you to all the children from Houston Primary, St Fillans Primary and Gryffe High School for participating in the voting. It was great to see so many of you supporting this.

Special thanks to Craig for organising the count at Gryffe High School.

Look out for fundraising events in the new year.

Thank you also to everyone who popped by and said hello at our tombola stall at the Christmas Lights switch on and to Jason Andrews from The River Inn for supporting us by providing the stall.

Our fundraising efforts have now got off the ground and I am pleased to say that we have raised £300.01. Great effort in the first of many fundraising events in aid of the improvement of the play park behind the Compass Centre.

Houston CO-OP - Renfrewshire Food Bank Collections The Food Bank is often short of - Cereal, UHT Milk, Diluting Juice, Coffee, Jam, Tinned Tuna, Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned Fruit, Tinned Rice Pudding and Tinned Custard, Toiletries (especially men’s shave gel, razors and men’s deodorant) and Toilet Roll.

Houston Village Art Class.

Compass Centre, Hut, South Street.

Scout

Resumes: Tuesday 14th January - 1.30pm till 3.30pm.

Beginners, and regular welcome.

former attendees

£40 for 4 Workshops.

‘Back to Basics’

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JANUARY 2020

H.O.S.T. THE CARRICK CENTRE (HOUSTON OLD SCHOOL TRUST)

Monday to Friday, Gryffe Manor Out of School 01505 615438 Dance West Scotland enquires@dancewestscotland.co.uk

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Coffee Shop: - Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm Sat, 9am - 2.30pm Coffee Shop/Centre 01505 229597

MONDAY

H o u s t o n

THURSDAY

Yoga (Weekly) Start 6th: 1pm - Gryffe Quilting Group: 1pm Mary Laidlaw 01505 229112 3pm (16th 10am- 3pm) Diaporama 13th: 7.30pm

Primary Colours (Weekly) Start Sewing Group (Weekly) 27th: 9th: 3.30pm – 4.30pm 10am -12noon Crafty Friends Start 16th: WRYF Andrew Johnstone: 7pm 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Folk Club (Weekly) Start 9th: 8pm - 11pm davemellor@gmail. com 07523 129122

TUESDAY

Paint Pot Tots (Weekly) Start 7th: 10am - Dawn Campbell Councillor Surgery 23rd: 7.15pm - Audrey Doig 07789 262350 DWS (Own room): 4pm - 7pm Move it or Lose it: 10am – 12noon (Fiona Bretherton 07811 Yoga (Weekly) Start 7th: 7pm 766672) M/s Lawson 01505 613690

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FRIDAY

Councillor Surgery 21st: 11am Yoga (Weekly) Start 10th: 11.30am - Allison Dowling 10:30am - M/s Lawson 01505 WEDNESDAY 613690 DWS (weekly) Start 15th: 4pm DWS (Weekly): 3.30pm - 7pm – 7pm Gavin Newlands M.P. Surgery Gryffe Melody Makers TBA: TBA: 12.30pm – 1.30pm 7pm Hugh & Liz McGhee: 9am Gryffe Camera Club, (Weekly), SATURDAY Start 8th: 7.30pm DWS (Weekly): 9am - 5pm Baby Class Moo Music Start 8th:

SUNDAY

10am

Community 7.30pm

Council

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15th: Baptist Church (Weekly): 11am and 6pm

A Portable Defib Unit is available at the West Halls (Church) on Main Street

B r o o k f i e l d

Booking enquiries to: Bill Haddow 01505 690693 Stewart Scally 01505 674277 Barry Walker 01505 614039 thecarrickcentre@gmail.com or hostbookings@outlook.com

CARRICK NIGHTS Spring Concerts in 2020 Friday 28th February at 8pm

Saturday 28th March at 8pm

With a love for traditional and contemporary folk alike, we welcome Eilidh Grant and band.

Eilidh’s stunning voice has made a considerable impression on the British and European folk scenes.

The Season continues with the return of Scottish soprano Alison McNeill and IranianScottish classical guitarist Sasha Savaloni performing traditional music from several countries. Alison and Sasha have established themselves as the foremost voice and guitar duo in Scotland.

In October 2011 Eilidh won a Scottish New Music Award for best Folk/Traditional recording of year for her debut album “Masks and Smiles”.

Eilidh is also one third of the Glasgow based, all Scottish folk girl band, The Celtic Quines, along with the fantastic tenor banjo and fiddle player Celine Donoghue and the wonderful flute and whistle player Katherine MacLeod.

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2 course meal (table service) available before the concert in our Café. 2 courses £15 a third course is available at extra cost (BYOB)

BOOKING ESSENTIAL Tickets: Single Concert: £12 (Adult) £5 (Child/Student) To request more information and tickets please call 01505 229597 or email: thecarrickcentre@gmail.com

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Next deadline Kai Connolly

Wednesday 15th JANUARY

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Sport NEws

REGULAR meets KEEP FIT

Move it or Lose it!

Old Gourock and Ashton Church, Mondays at 1.30pm Bridge of Weir, Tuesdays at 10.30am Greenock, Tuesdays at 1.30pm Houston, Thursdays at 10.30am Kilbarchan, Thursdays at 2pm More than just a fitness class for the over 60s. Contact Fiona 07811 766672 to book.

Zumba Light

St Fillan’s Church, Kilmacolm Mondays at 10am

ATHLETICS

Kilbarchan Athletic Club On-X, Linwood Mondays & Thursdays at 7pm

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.

MARTIAL ARTS The Shotokan Karate Club

Woodlands Primary, Linwood Mondays & Thursdays at 7pm-8pm/ 8pm - 9pm www.linwoodkarate.co.uk

All the fun and energy of Zumba but at a lighter pace! Fabulous music, full of fun - a fantastic class for for all levels. Contact Mo 07505 126416.

Taekwon-Do

Step Class

Clyde Judo Club

Freeland’s Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Tuesdays at 10am - all levels Tuesdays at 6.10pm - beginners Tuesday at 6.45pm - all levels

A brilliant new Reebok Step class. Lots of fun, fab music and a fantastic workout. Why not come along and give it a go? *Beginners may stay on to participate in 6.45pm class at no extra cost. Booking essential. Contact Mo 07505 126416.

Zumba

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm Tuesdays at 7.45pm

Entry level class suitable for all fitness levels. Come dance yourself fit at Zumba, no experience necessary! Contact Diane 07943 862775.

Boogie Effect with Jen

Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Ave Saturdays at 9.10am - 10am

A unique dance-based fitness class - a mix of heart-pumping fun and strength/ conditioning techniques creating long, strong and healthy bodies! All welcome.

Call Jennifer 07709 340675 or f:@ boogieeffectwithjen

Pilates classes

St Machars Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Mondays at 9.30am & 10.40am Kilmacolm Community Centre Mondays at 6.30pm Tel: Yvonne 07786 224367 or yvonne@ clydephysiotherapy.co.uk

Kilellan Halls Houston, Monday Evenings at 6pm - 7pm/ 7.20pm - 8.20pm/ 8.30pm - 9.30pm

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

Jennifer Sloan Physiotherapy Led Pilates Kilmacolm Community Centre, Wednesdays at 6.15pm - 7.15pm & 7.30pm - 8.30pm

For more information or to book a class call Jennifer 07731 303709 or email jennifermcghee@hotmail.co.uk

Fitsteps with Jennifer

Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Ave Mondays at 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Strictly inspired dance/fitness class that allows you to learn the basics of ballroom and latin style in a fun environment. All welcome. Call Jennifer 07709 340675 or f: @fitstepswithjennifer.

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

Park Mains High, Tuesdays at 7pm - 9pm Bishopton Community Centre, Fridays at 6pm - 8pm Children and young adults from the age of 6 -18 are welcome. (www.clydejudo.org.uk)

SPORTS Bridge of Weir Ladies Badminton

BoW Primary School, Warlock Road Modays at 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Gryffe Badminton

Strathgryffe Tennis Club Tuesdays at 8pm

Greenock Hockey Club

Inverclyde Academy, Greenock Wednesdays at 6.30pm - 8pm

Contact Liz Baldwin 07944 607005

Birkmyre Rugby Club

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

DANCE Bishopton Belles Line Dancing Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hall Tuesdays at 6.30pm - 8.30pm

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

Castle Semple Sailing Club Round Up For the Year Over the past year we have seen success and change at the club. Our cadets were the success story of the year, with many travelling the country taking part in events most weekends – fantastic to see!

We also introduced ‘summer family’ and ‘social Saturdays’, open to both members and non-members. Our new Wednesday afternoon “sail and/or blether” sessions have proven very popular – all great opportunities to get out on the water and enjoy sailing without the pressure of racing.

The way the Club is used has changed too; members now sail on any given day of the week, as opposed to purely weekends as a more flexible lifestyle is enjoyed. There has also been an increase in different classes of boat, each with different handicaps - all great news for Castle Semple Sailing Club.

For the first time last year we hosted a Scottish Team Racing Association Event, as well as Sailability Scotland and Enterprise/ GP14 traveller’s events. Our annual participation in the RYA Push the Boat Out day was also very successful; we were able to offer an experience to young people who might not have otherwise have had this opportunity.

Last autumn, we received a grant from the Sports Hub which has been used to purchase new equipment.

Thank you to all who have helped run the Club last year – it is run by volunteers who give up a huge amount of their own time, and for this we are very grateful. This year we have more events planned to encourage people to get out and enjoy the thrill of sailing. Check our website for details in the new year. www.castlesemplesc.co.uk

FOOTBALL 5-a-side Football

Powerleague Paisley Modays at 6pm

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

Football Training

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

WALKING

Move it or Lose it!

Class members from around Renfrewshire and Inverclyde enjoyed an evening out together at the Magic of the Beatles show at the Beacon in Greenock. We look forward to another year of Fitness, Friendship and Fun!

Kilmacolm Walkers

Birkmyre Park Pavillion, Kilmacolm Thursdays at 10am

David 01505 874192 kilmacolmwalkers@ talktalk.net

Lochwinnoch Community Walk The Cross, Lochwinnoch Mondays at 10.30am (excl. public holidays)

Bridge of Weir Walking Group Tuesdays Outside Co-op at 10.30am

1 hour walks. Call Senga on 0141 842 3000.

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JANUARY 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

Is there a more precious commodity than our health?

Over half of us want to improve our lifestyles, but sometimes you need some extra help to do this.

If you want to make such a change, I can offer a FREE health MOT and consultation.

This allows us to get to know one another, for you to dispense with any fears and become familiar with my approach.

Across the last 8 years I’ve helped 100s of people enhance their quality of life through exercise and nutrition. If you want to make a change, please get in touch.

Ranfurly Castle News

Old Course Ranfurly The Ladies’ annual Santa Swing took place on Saturday 7th December. Although it proved to be more of an endurance test in monsoon-like weather, after drying out, a great time was had by all.

Thankfully the bad weather didn’t put Santa and his little helper off, and everyone enjoyed the mulled wine and mince pies.

At Christmas, golf is not top of the agenda but, if the weather allows, playing a few holes is a good way of getting fresh air and exercise.

This was the aim for the Ladies Christmas event on 4th December but unfortunately, the rain put paid to those plans. Instead the ladies took part in an entertaining quiz organised by Captain Jan with a great display of Christmas jumpers on show! The teams were prepared to put their general knowledge to the test, and thankfully there were no horrible head scratching questions; instead we were given a range of topics with plenty of possible answers for all members of the team to contribute to. A little bit of ‘Family Fortunes’ was thrown in for good measure at the end to determine the winning team. Congratulations to Sheila Biggart, Evelyn MacDermid and Morag Cunningham. The festive lunch was then enjoyed with a lot of chatter and laughter.

On Saturday 7th December the Gents Christmas Cracker had better luck and 28 played in fine weather, with the course in wonderful condition. Winning Captain was Jack Snell. A huge thank you goes to our Head green keeper Craig and his team for all their hard work over the year as well as to Simon and the new catering team. The Club hopes eveyone had a very Happy Xmas and good New Year. (PIcture, left to right: Morven McLeod, Pat Pennel, Lilias Snodgrass.)

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 15th JANUARY

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Houston Primary School P5s Squash Champions!

Strathgryffe Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club recently played host to the annual Primary 5 Inter Schools Squash competition contested between Houston, Bridge of Weir and St Fillans primary schools.

The local primary school children were given 4 weeks’ worth of coaching from coaches Alan Marshall and Martin Woods, with players representing each school picked at the end of the 4th session.

Finals day came, and there were some very close matches, with the children performing well and showing great sportsmanship. In the final reckoning, Houston Primary were victorious, narrowly edging out the other schools.

Strathgryffe Squash Club run starter drop-in sessions on Saturday mornings for children aged 9-16 years old from 9.45am - 10.45am. Cost £3 payable on arrival. If you would like further information, email coach Ruadhri McDougall: ruadhri.mcdougall@gmail.com.

Kilmacolm Golf Club Early December saw the ladies celebrating their achievements at the annual AGM and prizegiving dinner to round off another successful year at the club.

Outgoing captain, Rosemary Hammond, handed over the reins to new captain, Jackie Sayers and vice-captain, Patricia Briggs - everyone would like to thank Rosemary for her efforts in providing a fantastic year of golf.

Jackie and Pat stepped effortlessly into their new roles and led the festive celebrations in style despite storm Brendan forcing the cancellation of the annual Christmas Cracker competition.

They are both now looking forward to a great golfing year ahead and would love you to join them. So whether your new year’s resolution is to get fit or be more sociable, they’d love to welcome you to the club with a range of memberships to suit everyone from beginner to seasoned player.

Junior ‘Park Run’ Launches!

Rain, hailstones and high winds did not deter our hardy youngsters who came and walked, jogged and ran the 2km course, many bringing parents and grandparents to join in the fun.

The annual club AGM was also held in December where outgoing club captain, Stevie Parsons handed over his title to new captain Andrew Farmer, with Rene Kleyweg taking on the role as vice-captain. Stevie will continue to play a key role in the club as he moves into the role of Chair, taking over from John Baillie. Allan Burns, Megan Briggs and Jordan Ferguson also are welcome new additions to the committee and all would like to wish members a very happy golfing new year.

The run was supported by 19 wonderful, if not slightly weather beaten, volunteers who encouraged and ensured the smooth and safe running of the event.

Battery park junior parkrun has been established by a core team of volunteers, many local runners with the principle of promoting physical activity in young people.

Volunteering at our events is great fun; all of our jobs are very simple, and full training will be provided. Please feel free to contact us via our website below for further information.

Junior parkrun is open to all children aged between 4-14, and is run on a Sunday morning at 9.30am. This runs alongside the hugely successful Greenock parkrun on a Saturday morning but gives children who may struggle with the 5km distance a chance to participate over a 2km course.

It’s free and it’s fun!

After our run we go for a coffee at Funworld where children can enjoy half price play and there are discounted hot drinks and food for adults.

Before attending please register at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/batterypark-juniors/ And don’t forget your barcode

Microchip Details Its always worthwhile to take a minute to check your pet’s details so your furry friend can always be returned safely should they wander away..

If you have changed any of your contact details such as your phone number or you have moved house, don’t forget to update your pets microchip details.

It could be what helps reunite you with them if they are lost or stolen.

MISSING PET? We can post on Facebook for you!

Send details to: info@advertizer.co.uk 01505 613340

Indentibase Petidentity UK Petlog Pet Protect Pettrac Smarttrac

0190 448 7600 0800 975 1960 0129 633 6579 0800 077 8558 0800 652 9977 0844 542 0999

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PET

JANUARY 2020

NEws

Trouble in the Litter Tray (Part 1) Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a group of conditions that causes inflammation of the bladder and lower urinary tract in cats. It affects approximately 3% of the cat population in the United Kingdom annually.

FLUTD is most commonly seen in middle aged, neutered cats but can develop at any age and is often a recurrent problem requiring long term management.

Risk factors include: • Age (middle aged most common) • Neutered • Weight (more common in overweight cats) • Lifestyle (more common in indoor cats) • Diet (more common if on a completely dry food diet) • Low water intake • Stress Common presenting signs include: • Inappropriate urination (passing urine in strange places) • Difficulty passing urine/straining to urinate • Altered frequency of urination (usually increased) • Blood in urine • Increased licking at perineal area (area under the tail) In some cases FLUTD can progress to the point where the cat is physically unable to pass urine due to obstruction of the urethra.

This is more common in male cats due to the narrower urethra in males. This is an emergency situation and requires urgent veterinary attention

Keep Safe When Out on Darker Nights The darker nights are here for a while yet – but this needn’t stop dog walkers giving their pets much needed, and well deserved, exercise. To ensure dog owners can continue to walk their dogs regularly during the darker nights, animal training and behaviour experts Company of Animals have shared five top tips to staying safe when out and about with your dog at this time of year.

Be easily seen: Whilst out in the dark you and your dog should be easily spotted. When you head out, make sure you’re not dressed in black, and wrap up warm in a bright coat, or pop on a high vis jacket or waistcoat. For your dog, get some reflective accessories.

There are many great products available to increase your dog’s visibility in the dark, including collars and leads featuring reflective strips.

Look for the light: If you can, look to walk in areas that are well lit, such as near main roads. If you have to walk in areas with reduced or no lighting, then a hand or head torch is a must – and make sure the batteries are well charged. It’s a good idea to make sure you have a phone with you as well in case of an emergency.

Use a lead: It is always advisable to use a lead when it’s dark or visibility is reduced, especially when walking along a road. Even if your dog has good road sense and comes to you when called, it is much safer to keep your pet with you when walking during the hours of darkness. It’s a good idea to use a shorter lead with a reflective strip on it for extra visibility in the dark. Additionally, there are leads and collars which flash/have lights on, which are great for added visibility in the dark.

Safety in numbers: Meeting up with a friend or a group is a great way to help stay safe while out walking during the darker mornings and nights. Not only does it make you feel safer and more comfortable, it is an opportunity for both owner and dog to socialise with others.

Most of all, stay safe: So, while it is very important to stay safe this winter, the darker nights shouldn’t prevent your dog from getting all the exercise they need. Keep our tips in mind for your walks this autumn and winter and for more information, be sure to visit: www. companyofanimals.co.uk

The clinical presentation of FLUTD is often similar regardless of the underlying cause, and may be due to a combination of underlying factors. Possible causes of FLUTD include: • Bacterial infection • Bladder crystals and stones • Tumours • Trauma e.g road accidents • Anatomical defects • Nerve damage • Viral, fungal or yeast infections (rare) In up to 60% of cases no underlying cause is found and these cases are referred to as feline idiopathic cystitis.

If you are concerned your cat may be affected by FLUTD please contact us at Petvets for further information.

Next month we will look at diagnostic tests used to investigate the cause of FLUTD and options for treatment and management of the condition.

If you think your pet may benefit from physiotherapy and want to find out more call Petvets on 01505 800366.

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 15th JanUARY

School NEws

St Columba’s School SVI pupils brought the bright lights of Broadway to Kilmacolm

REGULAR GROUPS 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 - 11.30am

Howwood Baby & Toddler Group Howwood Parish Church 10am - 12noon

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

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

Bridge of Weir Toddlers Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW 9.30am - 11.30am

Kilmacolm Playgroup St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm 9.30am - 11.30am

Howwood Playgroup Howwood Church Hall 9.45am 11.35am

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

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers McKillop Hall 9.45am - 11.30am £2/family fee incl tea and children’s snacks.

Howwood Playgroup

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

EVERY THURSDAY

Houston Toddlers Church Hall, Main Street, Houston 9.30am - 11.30am

Kilmacolm Playgroup St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm 9.30am - 11.30am

Howwood Playgroup Howwood Church Hall 9.45am - 11.35am

EVERY FRIDAY Langbank Playgroup Langbank Village Hall 9.45am - 11.45am For 2.5 - 5yr olds. Contact: Lisa McFadden 07940 313094.

Langbank Under 3’s 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 St Columba’s Junior School, Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm 9.30 - 10am

1ST & 3RD FRIDAY Renfrewshire Inverclyde Twins Club McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch 1pm -2.30pm £3. Bring a mug along for a cuppa.

@GryffeAds @GryffeAds

Howwood Church Hall 9.45am - 11.35am

Rotary Club of Gryffe Valley YOUNG CARERS The club has arranged, with Renfrewshire Young Carers, four nights out at The Experience, Hillington for eighty deserving Young Carers during the week 27th to 30th January 2020 to coincide with Young Carers Awareness Day on the 30th.

This annual event, see https://carers.org/young-carers-awarenessday-2020, organised by Carers Trust, is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young carers and to campaign for greater support for them.

A Young Carer is an ordinary young person aged 8-18 years old who helps to look after someone with a mental health problem, physical illness, disability and/or drug/alcohol/gambling addiction.

School Registrations 2020-21 Your child will be admitted to school in August if their fifth birthday falls between 1st March of that same year and the last day of February of the following year.

Children who reach the age of five years between 1st March 2020 and 28th February 2021, should be registered for primary school on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th January 2020.

Pupils whose surname begins with the initials A to L should register on Wednesday 15th January 2020 and pupils whose surname begins with the initials M to Z should be register on Thursday 16th January 2020.

INVERCLYDE Parents must register their child in their chosen denomination or non-denominational catchment primary school, on the above dates as appropriate, between the hours of 1.30pm and 3pm.

You must register your child in the catchment denominational or non-denominational school even if you are considering a placing request for another school. This includes Primary 1 Gaelic Medium Education at Whinhill Primary School (Inverclyde).

Parents should produce their child’s birth certificate, a Council Tax demand notice for the current year, in their name, a utility bill (i.e. gas, electricity, landline telephone or broadband) in their name and dated within the last six months and their Tax Credit Award Notice https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/ registering-for-primary-school Inverclyde Council has a policy on inclusion and equality which incorporates the assumption that all children will routinely be educated within their own community. Transitional arrangements for children with additional support needs, moving from nursery to primary or primary to secondary, are discussed at a child’s review meeting. Any child or young person with additional support needs who requires more specialist support will be discussed at Inverclyde’s Additional Support Needs Monitoring Forum. The Forum will make recommendations related to resources, support and necessary specialist placements.

RENFREWSHIRE Registration will take place between 1pm and 3pm on the above dates. You must register your child in only one school - either the denominational or non-denominational school for your catchment area. If you want your child to go to a different school, you will have to make a placing request. Your catchment school will give you a request form when you go to register. Placing requests for all schools for session beginning August 2020 should be sent to us by 15th March 2020.

Parents should produce their child’s birth certificate and two proofs of residence which must include: Council Tax notice for your property or proof that you have registered for Council Tax at that property, and a letter from your solicitor confirming that missives have been concluded or a rent book for rented property, tenancy agreement or mortgage/bank statement. Original documents must be produced. http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/startingschool

Some of the funds to support this project will be raised through the Santa’s Sleigh collections in Brookfield.

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 Rotary Youth Speaks Rotary Youth Speaks – Debate at St Columba’s School The Gryffe Valley heat, excellently organised by John Douglas and his team, was held at St Columba’s School on Tuesday 10th December. The format of the 2020 Rotary competition had been changed - there are still three members in each team but with different roles and times.

Each team, comprising a Chairperson, a Proposer and an Opposer, has 15 minutes to make their presentation, with the two main speakers expected to speak for about five minutes each. The remaining time is for the use of the Chairperson for introductions, continuity, summarising etc.

The club were delighted to welcome three members of the Renfrewshire Speakers Club, Graham McLachlan with Margaret Cowie and Neil Hoskin, as the Judges. The speakers, their team names and topics were as follows: INTERMEDIATE COMPETITION ST. COLUMBA’S SCHOOL (The Nerd Herd) Topic: ‘Make Do and Mend’ Chairperson: Kierandeep Nijjer Proposer: Emma Ventham Opposer: Orla O’Rourke SENIOR COMPETITION ST. COLUMBA’S SCHOOL (Ginger Spices) Topic: ‘Kill a Cow or Save a Cow’ Chairperson: Matt Makin Proposer: Daniel Hampsey Opposer: Poppy Pitts ST. COLUMBA’S SCHOOL (Talking Titans) Topic: ‘We Are Too Sensitive’ Chairperson: Mark Clelland Proposer: Elliot Nixon Opposer: Bronte Marritt All the teams were complimented on their performances by Margaret Cowie, who noted the good humour built into each speech and gave some tips on how to improve. The winners – the Nerd Herd and the Talking Titans will go forward to the Rotary District 1230 Finals in the New Year.

Proposals to consult on school catchment reviews Renfrewshire Council is consulting with communities, interest groups and parents on the proposals below. The public consultation period will close at 12noon on Tuesday 21st January 2020.

Proposal 1: to revise catchment arrangements affecting Kilbarchan and East Fulton Primary Schools Relates to the catchment area for new housing developments at Merchiston Hospital and Houston Station House. The developments are currently within the catchment area of Kilbarchan Primary School and the proposal rezones them to East Fulton Primary School’s catchment area.

Proposal 2: to revise catchment arrangements affecting Kilbarchan and Woodlands Primary Schools Relates to the catchment area for a new housing development at Johnstone Hospital. The development is currently within the catchment area of Kilbarchan Primary School and the proposal rezones it to Woodlands Primary School’s catchment area.

Proposal 3: to revise catchment arrangements affecting St Margaret’s and Our Lady of Peace Primary Schools Relates to the catchment area for new housing developments at Merchiston Hospital, Houston Station House and Johnstone Hospital. The developments are currently within the catchment area of St Margaret’s Primary School and the proposal rezones them to Our Lady of Peace School’s catchment area.

Proposal 4: to revise catchment arrangements affecting Johnstone and Linwood High Schools Relates to the catchment area for new housing developments at Merchiston Hospital, Houston Station House and Johnstone Hospital. The developments are currently within the catchment area of Johnstone High School and the proposal rezones them to Linwood High School’s catchment area.

Links to these proposal consultation response questionnaires are available at http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/9668/ Proposals-to-consult-on-catchment-reviews-affecting-Kilbarchanand-East-Fulton-Primary-Schools-Kilbarchan-and-WoodlandsPrimary-Schools-St-Margarets-and-Our-Lady-of-Peace-PrimarySchools-and-Johnstone-and-Linwood-High-Schools.

St Columba’s Stars of the stage perform in two show-stopping spectaculars at St Columba’s School SVI pupils brought the bright lights of Broadway to Kilmacolm!

Last month, SVI pupils brought the house down for a sell-out cabaret performance in aid of their Yearbook Fund.

The show was highly entertaining and full of laughs, as we’re sure the audience will attest. Everyone who attended had an absolute ball enjoying a wide variety of music from We Will Rock You to Mamma Mia!, High School Musical and many of Broadway’s best.

Well done to all involved for a fantastic night of entertainment as well as some rather interesting costume choices…

Junior School Show.

Junior School children also had their chance to shine as pupils from Nursery to J3 treated everyone to two entertaining performances of ‘Bethlehem B&B’. The children were supported by our outstanding J4 choir.

The children began rehearsals at the beginning of November and have worked exceptionally hard learning their scripts, songs and complex dance routines to bring the show to life. Their performances were simply magical and certainly added to the festive cheer.

Christmas Fayre.

Our annual Christmas Fayre took place on Saturday 7th December.

We opened our doors to over 30 stallholders, lots of happy shoppers and Santa Claus flew in to meet the children of Kilmacolm. Holding their magic tickets, children enjoyed a chat with Santa before receiving a present from the man himself.

We were delighted to host many local businesses and pupils of the school involved in charitable concerns, for example Amnesty International and Project trust. Our sewing club’s handmade decorations sold out on the day, which was a fantastic boost for this enterprising group of young people and their teacher, Miss McIlfatrick.

In the café, where delicious winter warmers were served all afternoon, the Junior School Choir sang Christmas carols to a bright-eyed audience. Later on, our Pipe Band gave a rousing performance of some of their best tunes with a couple of Christmas favourites thrown in for good measure. Many thanks to everyone who attended.

Musical Celebration.

Our Musical Celebration took place on the 16th December and it was a great success enjoyed by all who participated and attended.

From everyone at St Columba’s School, we wish you all a very Happy New Year!

St-columbas.org

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Abbey Nursery

Duchal Nursery

The staff team at Abbey would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope you all had a great break with your families.

FREE TASTER SESSIONS - making that big step to nursery school can be challenging for some children; making the decision on which pre school to choose for their child is a difficult one for parents. Duchal, the only specialist nursery in the area, offers a small caring environment to ensure children flourish during their time before primary school. We are offering parents a free morning taster session so you can experience Duchal first hand to make the decision easier.

This year will be an exciting and challenging one for the early years sector (it will make Brexit look easy) with the introduction of 1140 hours of ‘early years education and care’ available to eligible 3-5 years olds from August 2020 and the huge savings this will bring about with no upfront childcare fees or lunch costs. We hope that our planning over the past year will ensure that every family gets the childcare days that suit their personal circumstances and whilst priority is obviously given to existing parents, but we hope to have some places available for new parents. If interested please get in touch early.

There are also places available from February in our baby room but unfortunately for parents there is still a waiting list for places in the older age groups.

Some of our highlights from last month included a visit from CALA Homes (West) who were supporting Brake’s Road Safety Week initiative. Not only did they talk to the children about keeping safe and being seen but they also gave out fluorescent wrist bands which are perfect for the dark evenings.

The children have also been making great use of our newly refurbished play park which gives them the opportunity for more challenging and independent play and they even got involved cleaning everything in the mud kitchen!

Following on from the children’s interest in the online Cosmic Yoga sessions, Jackie Stewart from Little Down Dogs has been running yoga sessions at the nursery for the pre school children using familiar stories such as The Gruffalo to expand their knowledge of this great activity, which supports health and wellbeing. Alongside the sports coaching, music and drama and French teachers who visit the nursery, there are always a great variety of activities for the children to experience each week.

Houston Toddlers We have been very busy on Thursday mornings. On Thursday 5th December Jackie from Little Down Dogs Yoga came along and we did some exercises with her, it was good fun and we really enjoyed ourselves.

The following week Usborne books visited and our Mummies and Grans bought some books to tell us stories. Pottery painting the next week was great; we decorated some little pieces to take home to give to Mummy and Daddy, hoping they would like our artwork.

If you would like to come along and meet others with young children (all pre school) we meet on T h u r s d a y mornings from 9.30am until 11.30am in the West Halls.

Please bring your own cup (preferably with a lid) and a cup for the children.

Everybody welcome.

Please get in touch via email info@duchal.com or call us on 01505 874358 to arrange a morning that is convenient for you and your child to come along to try out our nursery.

The children enjoyed a wonderful end of term - they created a beautiful array of amazing festive crafts that decorated the nursery during the run up to Christmas, and went on a magical trip to the Tron Theatre for our festive adventure into town on the Christmas Bus! All this, together with a fantastic Nativity performance, and a visit from the Special Man In Red, really got us in the festive mood!

We are now looking forward to the new year ahead with plenty of exciting topics to fascinate and entertain!

To find out more about us please visit our website www.duchal.com and keep up to date with all the latest news on Facebook.

Kilmacolm Playgroup

In December, our children were extremely busy preparing for their Christmas show and party. They had been working really hard on making lots of Christmas presents for their parents. They learned their songs very well and hoped Santa would hear them singing Jingle bells and make an appearance.

4 of our children also graduated that day and we wished them all well for their next step to nursery.

We enjoyed a week of People Who Help Us; lovely nurse Jackie visited, and told us all about working as a nurse, and even showed us how to put an arm in plaster! The Port Glasgow Fire Service visited too, and the children enjoyed trying the fire hoses and being in the fire engine.

Our next term starts on January 6th and we look forward to welcoming our new children and families to Playgroup.

Playgroup is open to all children from 2 years 4months and operates on a Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 11.30am.

Spaces available, please email playgroupmembership@gmail.com for further information.

Are you a new parent, or new to our village or surrounding villages, our baby & toddler group is open as a drop in session every Wednesday morning from 10am - 11.30am. Pop in for a hot drink and cake while your child enjoys a play - a healthy snack is also provided for children. It is a great chance to meet new friends and find out all about our fabulous group. Open to all parents, carers and Grandparents.

The first Wednesday of every month within the toddler group is our brand new BBB (babies, bumps and boobs) group. This is a group for all new parents, expectant mums to attend. Each month we have breast feeding co-ordinators and other useful information available.

Toddlers starts back on Wednesday 8th January after the Christmas break.

For more information on any of our groups have a look at our new website on www.kilmacolm-playgroup.com or find us on our Facebook for latest information.

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 S3 Schools Youth Speech Competition Grand Final This was held recently in Johnstone Town Hall with about 90 in attendance including pupils, teachers and supporters, as well as members of Renfrewshire Speakers Club who, for the past 8 years, have organised this Competition taking in pupils from Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire.

This year’s winners were a team from St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock and they are shown in the photograph with their team of their presenter of the Vote of Thanks Ansa Dean, their teacher Fiona Forsyth, their Chairperson, holding the John Richardson Memorial Quaich Trophy presented to the Speakers Club by the late Beth Richardson of Renfrew Ladies Speakers Club, Mary Treesa Biju and their Main Speaker Natasha Cameron.

The Runners Up were a team from St Columba’s High School, Gourock and they are shown in the photograph with their team of Chairperson Laura Steele. Their Main Speaker Izaak Goyal and their presenter of the Vote of Thanks Emily

McNeil.

They both spoke on the Topic of: The UK population is ageing but are older people in our culture afforded due respect for their life experience and knowledge?

The Chief Judge Hunter Wilson the Speakers Club President in summing up the evening’s event stated they were here representing the top teams from the 3 local authorities and that good teamwork was very evident. He expressed his admiration for the high standards being achieved stating that all of the speeches were very well thought out and showed the amount of hard work put in by the teams and their teachers.

In conclusion the event Chairman and the Speakers Club Vice President Bill Leeming gave a Vote of Thanks stating he hoped to carry this out as well as the Competitors had done tonight.

He thanked all who had contributed to making the Competitions and the Grand Final such a success and particularly the 3 local authorities and the DYW West Organisation for Developing the Young Workforce for their continuing financial sponsorship of these Competitions.

For details of the club visit www.renfrewspeakersclub.org

Gryffe High PTA Burns Night & Ceilidh Friday 24th January 2020 7pm - 10pm Tickets: £10 adults/£6 school aged children (available now from the school office) Please come along and support our school at this fantastic event!

Gryffe High School News The Wee Sleep Out Saturday, December 7th was a night of yellow rain warnings and orange bivi bags. Staff and almost one hundred pupils from Gryffe High, along with groups from 1st Houston Boys Brigade, Houston Scouts and Houston Kirk Youth Club took part in the sleep out in aid of the charity, Social Bite, which helps to feed and shelter the homeless. They braved the elements on what was probably the worst night of the year and experienced what the homeless have to put up with every night.

It was organised by Gary Noonan, the local minister, and Angela Brown, Depute Head at Gryffe High.

But it wasn’t all hard going. In the course of the evening the whole group was entertained with bedtime stories, the music of two pupil rock bands and a karaoke session, before they had to go and face the music outside.

To date they have raised £6,187 and hope to improve on this in the coming days.

If you want to keep up to date with what they’ve raised, or perhaps you want to make a donation, go to: h t t p s : //u k .v i r g i n m o n e y g i v i n g . c o m / f u n d r a i s e r - p o r t a l / fundraiserPage?pageId=1114641 PTA Christmas Fayre at Gryffe Thank you to everyone, including the many pupils involved, who added to the success of the PTA Christmas Fayre. There was a fantastic range of lovely crafts and gifts on offer and the time spent in preparation to make it special is really appreciated.

Thanks to Steven Thompson for doing the raffle. The PTA also wishes to thank the Houston Inn, Versari Beauty and Angelini’s Restaurant for raffle prizes.

Delighted to announce that just over £1,100 was raised.

Have a look at our full gallery of pictures on Facebook.

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Wednesday 15th JanUARY

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Bridge of Weir Primary

St Anthony’s News

December was a very busy month with our Christmas parties and shows. We had a great time at both, and hope all the parents who attended enjoyed the shows too.

A very Happy New Year to one and all from all the staff and pupils at St Anthony’s. We are starting this year 2020 with additional thankfulness. After a recent incident where our garden area, created by staff and pupils, was destroyed, we were understandably discouraged. However, it wasn’t long before that emotion was completely overtaken by admiration and pride at both the speedy response and generosity of our parents, local community and local businesses. Their open-heartedness and genuine care for the school is really something to write about. The well wishes and financial gifts we have received have really touched both staff and pupils alike. Here at St Anthony’s we are always working to create stronger relationships with our parents and the local community at large. We value each others strengths and recognise the vital roles that we all have in the education and comprehensive upbringing of all our children.

Earlier, for Book Week Scotland, some very lucky pupils got the chance to read to Willow, an Old English Sheepdog. Here is the News team’s report about her visit.

Willow was brought to school by her owner who works for TheraPet. It was the idea of the Canine Concern Scotland Trust.

Everyone involved was amazed. TheraPet can help people who struggle with physical or behavioural problems. The dog comes and lies by you while you play or read – it’s very effective therapy.

Everyone got to see and pet the dog, which seemed to love the experience.

Willow, who is ten years old, was very well trained – and cute. We learned that sometimes amazing things happen after they have therapy with an animal - people who have never spoken come to life at the appearance of a dog.

We asked some of the pupils who met Willow what they thought. “I loved it so much!” said Katie from P7a. Kacee said “It was really interesting and fun.”

If you want to find out more about the Canine Concern Scotland Trust and their amazing project, then please go and check out their website: https:// canineconcernscotland. org.uk/

In a matter of a few weeks the sum of £2,538.56 has been raised and I’m sure you will agree that is a fantastic response from all concerned.

•

The British Legion - £200

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Johnstone Community Council - £300

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Arnold Clark - £500

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Elderslie Butchers - £200

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Football card by Kenneth McGrogan - £300

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“Go fund me” account created by St Anthony’s parents £1,038.56.

In addition, raffle prizes worth £129.60 from McGills buses, have also been donated to use to raise funds to support the garden project.

These funds will now enable us to restore the garden and to create new further additions that will benefit the children of St Anthony’s for years to come in their work, rest and play.

BANNER PHOTOS!

We are always on the lookout for cover photos on the front of each issue and banners in each section of our magazine!

Front cover: Full-length banners: Half-page banners: • .jpg file

• .jpg file

• .jpg file

• at least 5MB

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• h:15cm x w:25cm • h:10cm x w:25cm • h:10cm x w:11cm Please send your images in to info@advertizer.co.uk along with an image caption and your name if you would like printed credit.

Pictured is Mr Tom Wallace from Johnstone Community Council handing over their cheque for £300 to a delighted and equally grateful Mrs McBurnie.

Rotary Young Chef Sponsored by Gibb Stuart Home Hardware, the annual Young Chef Competition was held on the 5th December in Gryffe High School.

The nine competitors, five girls and four boys, were pupils of Gryffe High, St Benedict’s and St Columba’s. Their task was to cook two courses, including a main course, in 90 minutes, within a budget of £15. Menus were wide ranging, including Chicken Liver Pate, Smoked Pancetta Cod and a Cherry and Chocolate Mousse ….

All well presented for the three happy judges!

The winner, Ellie Shaw (pictured), and Runnerup, Tylar Pollock, both go forward to the next round of the competition, the Rotary District 1230 Final, in South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride where they will compete against others from all over the West of Scotland.

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JANUARY 2020

St Fillan’s Primary School Kindness at Christmas: During the festive season our focus value was kindness.

The pupils contributed to our Jesse Tree, colouring a bauble and donating a grocery item. A large range of items were passed to the Johnstone foodbank in time for Christmas.

Hollie in P4/3 also took the initiative in November by raising money for St. Vincent’s Hospice with a charity Teddy Bear Raffle.

Sporting Achievements at St. Fillan’s PS: Our school team made it to the NBA league after coming third in the finals. St Fillan’s are now officially the 3rd best basketball team in Renfrewshire and we are absolutely delighted.

Sharing our Learning Afternoon: Our pupils and their families were delighted to see the excellent progress their children have made at this well-attended afternoon. Parents were able to see how we nurture excellence at St.Fillan’s Primary School.

In Good Voice: Thanks to Mrs Hey, our school choir enjoyed collaborating with Houston Primary School performing at various local Christmas events including the Christmas Lights Switch On, Carols in the Crescent and singing for Ronald McDonald House Charities at The Paisley Shopping Centre.

Register your infant for school session 2020/2021 Children who reach 5 years of age between 1st March 2020 and 28th February 2021 inclusive should be registered for education in their catchment school as follows: •

Pupils whose surnames begin with the letters A - L should be registered on Wednesday 15th January 2020

•

Pupils whose surnames begin with the letters M - Z should be registered on Thursday 16th January 2020

•

Registration will take place between 1pm - 3pm on those dates.

•

Parents should produce their child’s birth certificate and two proofs of residence which must include:

•

Council Tax notice for your property or proof that you have registered for Council Tax at that property

•

a letter from your solicitor confirming that missives have been concluded or a rent book for rented property, tenancy agreement or mortgage/bank statement.

Original documents must be produced. You must register your child in only one school - either the denominational or nondenominational school for your catchment area.

Strawberry Field Out of School Care We have had a very busy few last months of the year. The children have been learning about the planets and solar system, making an impressive display of their hard work. Halloween was a great success with the children dooking for apples, making scary cakes and using pipe cleaners to make spider web hats.

Howwood Primary School Creating Great Citizens at Howwood Primary School We continue on our theme of kindness this term with P6/5 holding a Swinging Sixties afternoon for their older relatives. They used this opportunity to raise money for St. Vincent’s through selling Christmas cards. Everyone had a lovely time and joined in with the longest rendition of Hey Jude ever- the Beatles would have been impressed!

The whole school joined together to donate shoeboxes full of nice things for boys and girls living in poverty. The pupil council delivered the shoe boxes to Braehead shopping centre where they will be sent to those in need.

The whole school wore bright colours during anti-bullying week to celebrate our differences and highlight our need for tolerance for others. The Respect Committee led an anti-bullying assembly and pupils nominated others for acts of kindness.

Our mixed basketball team are celebrating their victory at the Renfrewshire basketball games. The 5 boys and 6 girls demonstrated their competitive spirit and self-belief to come first overall. They will now have the opportunity to train with the NBA in the next term. We are so proud of their efforts.

Celebrating success is a priority at Howwood Primary and contributes greatly to making it a very special place to learn. All our children report that they feel safe and valued in school, and are regularly consulted to ensure a strong pupil voice is heard when moving forward. We strive to support and challenge our pupils and our small class sizes ensure that each child has their individual needs met.

If you would like to enrol your child at Howwood please contact the school for a visit, we are always happy to meet with prospective parents.

As well as all this we had a fantastic fire work display. Children have been making use of our outdoor covered area to practice the art of spinning plates which has proven a challenge to children and staff.

Our Christmas party took place on the 20th December with lots of activities, competitions, party food, dancing and most importantly a visit from Santa.

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What’s on December Saturday 28th Brookfield Cheese & Wine Afternoon Brookfield Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 2pm This ever-popular annual event is the ideal opportunity for residents, visiting family members, friends and neighbours to get together for a really sociable afternoon between Christmas and New Year. Free.

Tuesday 31st Brookfield Hogmanay Dance Brookfield Village Hall, Woodside Road, Brookfield 8.30pm to 1am Dance the night away and see in the New Year with live band, ‘PINNACLE’. Tickets available from: brookfieldvpa@gmail. com or call/text Mike on 07973 123450 (minimum age 14). Bar/Raffle. £15.

JANUARY Sunday 5th Acoustic Night The River Inn, Houston Road, Houston 8pm to 10pm with local musicians “Scowling Wolf” Special guest - Port Glasgow singer songwriter, John Morgan. Free entry. If you’re interested in playing at future nights contact Rab on 07415 119754.

Winter Walk Finlaystone Country Estate Langbank 1pm to 3pm B l ow o f f 2 0 1 9 ’s co bwe b s w i t h a n invigorating, ranger-led walk through the woodlands.

Tuesday 7th Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society Open Rehearsal Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Barnabas, Back Sneddon Street, Paisley PA3 2AB 7.30pm Do you like to sing? Come join us to sing. All are welcome, no audition - No subscription fee for students Want more information or to join our mailing list? Phone: 01505 816110 or 07990 97597 Email: coatschoral@ btinternet.com www.facebook.com/coatschoral www. thomascoatschoral.org.uk

Thursday 9th Sòlas Bereavement Support Group Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm

Thursday 9th Gryffe Scottish Country Dance Club Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 8pm Our new term starts again! As well as welcoming back our regular dancers a warm welcome awaits any of our old gang thinking of getting back into the swing again, and of course, any new dancers who want to come along and try it out.

For more details contact: Les Lambert on 01505 704398.

Friday 10th Anthony Payne - an illustrated talk McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 7.30pm The Pantanal: the worlds biggest wetland.

All welcome.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

A soggy seat in Lochwinnoch by Iain Stewart

The Arkleston Singers’ Winter Concert The Arkleston Singers is a popular Paisley-based chamber choir that has been making music in and around Paisley for 40 years.

Following on from last year’s sell-out winter concert, the choir will present another selection of old favourites from its back catalogue, including pop hits from yesteryear, Scots songs and popular classics. Accompanist Javier Ucendo will also be given the chance to shine.

The proceeds from this fundraising concert will be shared between choir funds and “Finding Your Feet”, a local charity which supports families affected by amputation or limb absence. The charity helps amputees and their families or carers to achieve rehabilitation and independence in hospital, home, education, employment and sport.

In-house counsellors are also available for emotional support.

The concert will be held at 3.30pm on 19th January 2020 in Holy Trinity & St Barnabas Church, St James’ Place, Paisley PA3 2AF. Tickets cost £6 and are available from members, by phone from 0141 580 6292/07398 102607 or at the door.

Saturday 11th Beach Clean At Lunderston Bay Lunderston Bay, Cloch Road, near Gourock PA19 1BB 11am to 1pm Come and take part in a quarterly beach clean as part of the Marine Conservation Society national campaign. We will be picking up litter on the shoreline and counting it. Litterpickers etc are provided.

Phone Greenock Rangers for further details 01475 529543. Meet at Lunderston Bay.

Sunday 12th Winter Woodland Art Finlaystone Country Estate Langbank 1pm to 3pm Join the rangers and help gather natural subject matter to create your own outdoor painting!

Wednesday 15th

Musical Director Marcus Kitchen (l) and Accompanist Javier Ucendo (r) with The Arkleston Singers.

The Lovers Performances on the 28th & 29th February at The Wynd Centre, Paisley The Carrick Players next performance will be Lovers by Brian Friel. What does it mean to win in love? Lovers: Winners & Losers

by Brian Friel tells the story of two relationships; a tragic young romance and a jaded mid-life courtship. You will laugh and cry as we explore the varieties of love in two short complementary plays set in rural Ireland. Performances on the 28th & 29th February at The Wynd Centre, Paisley. Tickets available from thecarrickplayers. eventbrite.co.uk

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society Lecture Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm We will be joined by Inverclyde and Ayrshire Beekeepers as they encourage the growth of the Inverclyde Pollinator Corridor. Everyone is welcome. www. kilmacolmhorticultural.com

Thursday 16th OUTLOOK Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm What can libraries do for you ? With Laura and William.

FARMERS MARKETS

1st SAT 1st & 3rd SUN 2nd SAT & last SAT 2nd SUN

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 10am - 2pm Loch Lomond Shores 10am - 3pm Tel: 07977 179 861 Paisley Cross 10am - 2pm Tel: 01655 770217 Kip Marina, Inverkip 11am - 4pm www.kipmarina.co.uk

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 Friday 17th

Saturday 25th

Alternative Burns Night

“Bring a Cushion” Film

St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm

Calder Church, Church Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AE

Tickets available from Mo on 07789 077749 which includes a haggis dinner, glass of wine on arrival, a short Scottish quiz and entertainment. Please come along and support us for a fun evening. £10

Saturday 18th Kilbarchan Messy Church Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 4pm to 6pm All welcome. Remember to bring an adult with you.

Gaelic Singing Workshop in Paisley Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Barnabas, Back Sneddon Street, Paisley PA3 2AB 9.30am to 1pm Some knowledge of Gaelic is required for this Workshop. PLACES MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE. Contact us by e-mail at fios@ clanngaidhlig.org or telephone 0780 591 8509. £10.

Sunday 19th Family Volunteering RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 1pm to 3.30pm Who says that volunteering is only for grown-ups! Kids bring the grown-up in your life to our reserve. Enjoy a day’s practical volunteering at our beautiful reserve.

Booking advised. Email: lochwinnoch@ rspb.org.uk Tel. 01505 842663. Free.

The Arkleston Singers’ Winter Concert Holy Trinity and Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, Back Sneddon St, Paisley PA3 2AB 3.30pm to 4.30pm Old favourites from The Arkleston Singers’ catalogue from the past 40 years. Plus, a chance to win a lavish French food hamper.

Tickets £6 - available from members. Call 0141 580 6292/07398 102607 or buy at the door. Proceeds divided between choir funds and our chosen charity, Finding Your Feet.

Winter Scavenger Hunt Finlaystone Country Estate Langbank 1pm to 3pm Find some of nature’s winter treasures inside our woodlands.

Monday 20th Give Blood - Johnstone Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone 5pm to 7.30pm

Give Blood - Johnstone Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone 2pm to 3.30pm

Tuesday 21st Howwood WI Howwood Village Hall, Howwood, PA9 1BB 7.30pm Active Ageing by Morag Thow

Friday 24th Burns Night & Ceilidh Gryffe High School, Old Bridge of Weir Road, Houston 7pm to 10pm Tickets £10 adults £6 school aged children (available now from the school office).

Please come along and support our school at this fantastic event. Organised by Gryffe High PTA.

For more information please contact Ann 07761 114567.

Houston and Killellan Kirk Pop Up Breakfast West Halls Main Street Houston PA6 7EL (next to Carrick Centre and Village Hall) 9am to 11.30am Indulge in a luxury pop up breakfast with a wide selection of teas, fruit juices, coffee and milk. Gluten free options will be available. Proceeds to send Solar Lamps to school students in Mwandi.

Paisley Abbey Saturday Recitals Paisley Abbey, Abbey close, Paisley 12.30pm Alistair Savage and Friends. Admission £5.

Sunday 26th Renfrewshire’s Music Medicine Festival Coats Observatory, Oakshaw Street, Paisley 10am to 4.30pm People from all avenues of life will come together to create music and community.

No experience is required - just a willingness to have fun! For enquiries or more info please email musicismedicine121@gmail. com

Making Bird and Bat Boxes Lochwinnoch Community Garden, behind Parish Church, 21 Church Street, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire PA12 4AD 2pm Bring a hammer! There will be lots of happy birds and bats in Lochwinnoch this spring.

Winter Walk Finlaystone Country Estate Langbank 1pm to 3pm Wrap up warm and join the Rangers on a brisk winter walk around the estate.

Birds for Beginners – Winter Waterfowl RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 1pm to 3.30pm

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.

Are you a beginner to bird watching? Join the team at RSPB Lochwinnoch for the ideal workshop to introduce beginners to this fantastic hobby. Booking required. £10 non-members, £8 members. Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Tel. 01505 842663.

Thursday 30th Film Night - The King and I The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, Kilmacolm 7pm for 7.30pm Free entry and the offer of a glass of wine.

Donation if desired to support the creation of a Pilgrim Pathway in Kilmacolm.

february Saturday 1st Annual Winter Warmer Fundraiser West Halls, Main Street, Houston PA6 7EL (next to Carrick Centre and Village Hall) 12noon to 2pm 1st Houston Girls Brigade would like to invite you to their Annual Winter Warmer fundraiser. Take the winter chill away with a toastie and a cup of tea or coffee. Tickets available after the New Year. £2.50

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Paisley Abbey Saturday Recitals Saturday 25th January 2020 from 12.30pm Alistair Savage and Friends Admission £5 payable at the door Paisley Abbey (Church of Scotland) – Registered Charity No. SC007633

Janey Godley ‘Soup Pot’ Tour Comes to Lochwinnoch 2020 Lochwinnoch Arts Festival are delighted to announce that Janey Godley will be performing the final show of the festival this year on Sunday 29th March. Described by The List as Glasgow’s Comedy Queen. Not to be missed!

Other events include: ‘The Moira Monologues with Alan Bissett, The Rose Room Jazz Band and a talk by author and columnist, Melanie Reid.

Tickets available from 31st January www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk

Paisley Abbey © Colin/wikimediacommons

SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY 2020 COME AND SING HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” with Orchestra directed by Dr George McPhee Rehearsal: 2.30pm (entry from 2pm) Singers: Adult £15

Performance: 6.30pm

Students/school pupils £5

Audience: £5 (at door) All singer applications are welcomed but places are allocated on a first come first served basis, enabling the conductor to achieve as balanced a choir as possible.

Early applications are appreciated NB on this occasion scores will not be provided Application forms can be downloaded at www.paisleyabbey.org. uk Cheques to be made payable to Paisley Abbey Music Society Forms and Payment to be returned to Miss P Routley, Paisley Abbey Choir, Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JG NB Only applications returned with payment will ensure that a place is reserved.

Email enquiries to proutley@talktalk.net All funds raised support the music in Paisley Abbey Paisley Abbey(Church of Scotland) – Registered Charity No. SC007633

Renfrewshire’s Music Medicine Festival Are you ready for some FUN? This festival is one-of-a kind. A magical music experience in a wonderful setting where people from all avenues of life will come together to create music and community.

Drumming and percussion will be available. Benefits include building your confidence, making new friends and feeling the joy of making music with others. No experience is required - just a willingness to have fun!

When: 26th January, 2020 from 10am - 4.30pm at Coats Venue, Paisley. For enquiries or more info please email musicismedicine121@ gmail.com

Sing in Paisley Abbey!

Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society invites you to join them to sing with Musical Director Ondrej Soukup for Brahms Requiem.

If you enjoy singing and would like to perform a concert in Paisley Abbey with an orchestra why not join us as we start rehearsals for our 2020 concert when we will be singing Brahms Requiem.

Sing with a great orchestra, a professional conductor and soloists.

All are welcome, no audition, no subscription fee for students.

There will be an open rehearsal on Tuesday 7th January @ 7.30pm at Holy Trinity St Barnabas Church. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings and some Fridays and our season runs from January to March.

Want to join us? Interested in coming to a concert? Want more information or to join our mailing list? Then phone: 01505 816110 or 07990 97597 or Email: coatschoral@ btinternet.com www.facebook.com/coatschoral www.thomascoatschoral.org.uk A CHARITY REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND SC003075

Turning Point Scotland Music Group Have you got the X-factor? Have you got a talent for the tambourine? Then join Turning Point Scotland’s music group held on Mondays at Paisley Indoor Bowling Club!

You can sing your favourite song while Ian plays along with the guitar. Play one of our instruments and help keep the beat or show us your moves on the dance floor. Or simply enjoy a drink and catch up with friends.

Starting 13th January 2020, this runs every Monday 6.15pm - 7.45pm at Paisley Indoor Bowling Club. Everyone is welcome.

This club is hosted by Turning Point Scotland’s Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Mental Health, Learning Disability and/ or Physical Disability Service.

For more information contact Claire Shepherd at claireshepherd@ turningpointscotland.com or Eileen Parkhill at eileenparkhill@ turningpointscotland.com

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Gaelic Singing Workshop in Paisley Make Comics History Explore the different ways comics tell stories and then create your own, inspired by Paisley’s history and heritage. Led by Paul Bristow, author of a new graphic novel exploring the Paisley Radicals of 1820, which will also be previewed at this event.

As part of Paisley Book Festival, this event will run on 23rd February 2020 from 12.30pm - 2pm in Paisley Central Library, 15 Mill Street, Paisley PA1 1ND.

Seinn Òrain Gàidhlig Le Mòrag Law (Some knowledge of Gaelic is required) Saturday 18th January 2020 9.30am – 1pm Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Barnabas, Back Sneddon Street, Paisley PA3 2AB PLACES MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE Cost £10

The event is Free but booking required. Visit the event website http://www.whatsonrenfrewshire.co.uk/event/083936-makecomics-history/

Contact us by e-mail at fios@clanngaidhlig.org or telephone 0780 591 8509

Supported by Renfrewshire Council Culture Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF)

Organised by ClannGàidhlig community group promoting and developing Gaelic in the local community

Public Skating at intu Braehead

Urban Historian Heritage Walks

No matter the weather, shoppers can enjoy some fun with friends and family whizzing around the indoor ice rink.

Join the Urban Historian, Stephen Clancy, on one of his regular heritage walks around Paisley and Renfrewshire!

As well as daily skating sessions to practice your skills, intu Braehead will be running exciting special events to brighten up your weeks, such as 80s night with Gavin Pearson on a Wednesday and an ice-skating disco with DJ Cassi on a Thursday. Pre-school skaters can also enjoy an intro to ice skating as part of the Wee One Wednesday sessions with their parents.

Our Heritage Walks for early 2020 introduce a new ‘Taste of Paisley’ Walk at the end of each month. Join us for lunch at Allan’s Snack Barr on Storie Street, Paisley at 12noon for 3 courses from their Lunchtime Menu and then between 1pm and 3pm go on the heritage walk. All for £12.

Join in the ice-skating fun between sale shopping in over 150 of your favourite retailers – including: Topshop, Primark, Marks & Spencer’s and H&M ... The perfect day out with friends or family.

The intu Braehead Ice Rink is now open with daily ice-skating sessions running through until April. Tickets can be purchased on the door or booked online at a discounted price. Tickets start at £6 per session from the box office and £3.50 per session when booked online. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Due to arena events there will be no ice skating sessions on Friday 10 January 2020.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit https://www.braehead-arena.co.uk/shop/public-skating/

Regular walks run between 1pm and 3pm or (2 to 4pm on a Sunday) and cost £6. Book online at https://www.theurbanhistorian.co.uk/ heritage-walks/.

Our schedule is as follows: Saturday 4th January: New Year Walk: Origins of Paisley 10am 12noon Saturday 11th January: Textile Industries of Paisley 1pm - 3pm Saturday 25th January: A Taste of Paisley Burns Special: Tannahill & Paisley 12noon - 3pm While we take every opportunity to ensure the details for Urban Historian Heritage Walks are accurate, we always advise that you contact the event organiser before setting out for the event to avoid disapointment.

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

outdoors

Kerrera by Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers The Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers enjoyed a wonderful weekend of weather at their sojourn to Oban in November. The Sunday saw a group ascending Beinn Lora, a small hill but with bags of character and one with magnificent views to Mull and the west coast and inland to mighty Ben Cruachan and the snow clad summits of Glen Etive and Glen Coe. That was followed by a night of celebration in the Oban Hostel as we wished happy birthday to Alison and Alice and commemorated the 34th anniversary of the founding of the group in the old Railway tavern in BoW. Photo: The group on Kerrera

Photo: The group on Beinn Lora The Monday saw one group attempt the Corbett, Creach bheinn but they were defeated by the walk-in and the lack of daylight hours even on a fine November day. The rest had a walk round northern Kerrera which afforded great views again even if it was biting cold waiting for the ferry back to the mainland.

We have been to Oran Mor in December for a Pie, a Pint and a Panto which was as outrageous as we expected and our Christmas outing was to Arrochar with a heritage walk and a lunch in the Village Inn. We wish one and all a Guid New Year when it comes and we look forward to taking on Greenock Cut on the 4th January to clear the mind and body!

Photo: Stewart the music man

Green Corner Resolutions for a Greener 2020 Have you made any resolutions for the new year yet? Instead of losing weight or picking up a new hobby, why not try some of these suggestions for a greener year for you and the planet.

1. Cut back on meat. Scientists say this is the single biggest way to help the planet. Deforestation to make way for livestock along with methane emissions from cows and fertilizer creates as much greenhouse gas as all the worlds’ cars, trucks and airplanes. When you do buy your meat, support your local butcher for the best produce with lowest mileage attached.

2. Choose sustainable options. Avocados are one of the most instagramed foods in the world, but did you know these little green pods of deliciousness take 72 gallons of water to produce just one pound of the fruit? Mexican farmers are destroying huge pine forests to illegally plant trees and make money from the neverending demand. Not to mention the air miles attached.

3. Ditch the car and commute by foot or bike as much as you can.

Petrol is one if the biggest contributors to C02 in our atmosphere.

Exercise is proven to boost mood and improves health, so it’s a win

all round. Another idea is car share or to join a car pool scheme such as LEAP Carclub - leapcarclub.co.uk 4. Grow some of your own fruit and veg. Growing, transporting, packaging and selling food for our use adds up to around 30 percent of Britain’s carbon footprint. You don’t need much space. A big pot in your porch can house a respectable crop of potatoes. And tomatoes can even be grown on a windowsill.

5. Recycle all over the house. Empty bathroom products can often hit the bin, but why not put an extra recycling container in the bathroom for all those pesky bottles. You could also think about switching to shampoo bars, which will reduce your plastic consumption.

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JANUARY 2020

Paisley Colour Photographic Club The winning images from the club’s print and creative competitions which were judged last thursday by John McVeigh, current president of the Scottish Photographic Federation and member of Dumfries Camera Club.

From the print competition, Curious Red Squirriel by Mike Cruise was first, The Fullback by Ken Dow was second, Who’s Coming by Nan Caldwell was third and Gallop Among The Pines by Ken Dow was highly commended.

Curious Red Squirrel by Mike Cruise In the Creative competition, Frank McCollum’s Time Tunnel was first, Margaret Rainey’s Morning Shift in the Cup cake Mines was second, Craig Graham’s Neon Racer was third and Ken Dow’s Jetting Off To The Sun was highly commended.

Frank McCollum’s Time Tunnel

Interested in Photography?

Our local camera clubs continually supply us with stunning shots which we use throughout the magazine, sometimes as banners or even front pages. If you’ve been inspired, why not join them and maybe see some of your photographs in print!

Here’s a list of local meetings:

Gryffe Camera Club : Wednesday nights The Carrick Centre, Houston between 7.30pm & 10pm Paisley Colour Photographic Club : Thursday evenings The McMaster Centre, Renfrew. www.paisleycolour.co.uk Diaporama Meeting : 2nd Monday in the month 7.30pm in the Carrick Centre, Houston. For further information contact Hugh Kerr at 01505 612687 or hughkerr14@gmail.com Langbank Camera Club : 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month For more information please contact Derrick McPherson at langbankcc1@gmail.com.

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Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park The ranger teams have been working with schools building bird and bat boxes, putting in trail signs around the Loch Thom area and making crafts with Renfrewshire sheltered housing groups.

The volunteer groups in the park held their annual craft fair at Castle Semple before Christmas all proceeds will go to the two groups.

We have been continuing burning the piles of sitka brashings at Muirshiel, edging the SRANI path and hedge maintenance. The Greenock Cut group have been tidying up the flower beds at Lunderston Bay and replacing areas of boardwalk on the nature trail. The Sunday Youth Group have also been edging the SRANI path by the sewage works and trimming back the rhododendron maze in Parkhill wood.

If you would like to join one of the volunteer groups in the park or your workplace would like a day out volunteering to help us with practical conservation tasks then get in touch with the Muirshiel Rangers on 01505 843271 or Greenock Cut Rangers on 01475 529543.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Semple Stories, Lochwinnoch Glories I would like to say thanks to the individuals and organisations which have had the pleasure of talking to in the past few weeks. There are so many stories to tell that the trouble is going to be whittling it down to two or three.

You may be seeing some posters around the village soon and some posts on Facebook pages asking for your help. I am really keen that this project be a community led one and, to that end, I am looking to recruit volunteers for different aspects of the project.

Key moments in the Village’s past which includes the period in which the Semple family occupied the Estate as well as the Muirshiel Estate and Mine need to be researched for the use in interpretation panels and guided walks. Photographs will need to be taken to accompany these walks and panels.

There will also be opportunities to work alongside the Garnock Connections project and receive training in how to put together a public display or leading a guided walk.

Nobody knows your village as well as you do, so if you would like to share your knowledge of Lochwinnoch’s Glories, please get in touch! Contact Mhairi Donnelly on: Phone - 01505 842 882

The Coig

Email - semplestories@gmail.com

The area of Clyde Muirshiel is included as one of the five routes in a new project The Coig (Gaelic for five) each route is designed to feature and showcase some of the best of Scotland’s landscapes, history and culture. The Coig started its journey over a year ago as a result of a project to position and market Ayrshire, the Firth of Clyde, Arran, Bute and Cumbrae as an appealing, credible and recognisable tourism destination.

Within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh, The Coig routes offer an accessible and exciting day trip or a longer stay for those wishing to take advantage of the excellent accommodation that the region has to offer.

The five routes are: • The Shire

• The Bute

• The Shiel

• The Cumbrae.

• The Arran The Coig was funded by the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council over the last two years without which the project would not have been able to reach this stage.

For information and to get involved you can get more information at www.thecoig.com

Facebook - Lochwinnoch Glories

Events Beach Clean At Lunderston Bay - Saturday 11th January 2020 Come and take part in a quarterly beach clean as part of the Marine Conservation Society national campaign. We will be picking up litter on the shoreline and counting it. Litterpickers etc are provided.

Phone Greenock Rangers for further details 01475 529543. Meet at Lunderston Bay 11am – 1pm.

Stargazing night - Monday 17th February 2020 Come and see the stars and constellations with a local astronomer.

If the skies are cloudy an indoor talk will be held instead. Adults £5, concession £2.50. Meet at Castle Semple 7pm - 9pm

Future Events Pedal the Park Sportive – Sunday 3rd May Clyde Muirshiel Walking Festival – Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th May Details can be found on the Park’s website www.clydemuirshiel. co.uk or by emailing rangers.castlesemple@clydemuirshiel.co.uk

RSPB Lochwinnoch Happy New Year everyone! At this time of year people like to set goals for themselves for the year to come.

We don’t wait till the new year to set goals for ourselves, we are always doing our best to improve the reserve all year round.

Have you spotted some of the improvements we have been making over the past year? We put in a new Sand martin bank out near the channel hide which had interest shown by the sand martins and will hopefully be in use soon.

Lots of work has been put in to improve our wetland habitat to great success as we have had whimbrel, curlew and lapwing using the enhanced area. We also have new vegetated rafts and a couple of bigger nesting rafts. Hopefully we will get some grebes, gulls or terns using them in the new year!

We cannot wait to get started again in 2020. We would not be able to do as much wonderful work as we do without the help of our amazing volunteers young and old. Why not start the new year as you mean to go on and try a bit of volunteering yourself?

Our Family volunteering Day this month will be held on Sunday 19th January 1pm – 3.30pm.

Events Friday 10th January 2020 7.30pm, McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew, PA4 8LX Anthony Payne presents The Pantanal: the worlds biggest wetland an illustrated talk. All Welcome!

RSPB - Looking after the birds: Drinking water Birds need water for drinking and bathing. Water is particularly important during the winter when natural supplies may be frozen and in dry, hot weather during the summer when water can be hard to find.

Birds have no sweat glands, so they need less water than mammals. However, they do lose water through respiration and in their droppings. Most small birds need to drink at least twice a day to replace the lost water.

Birds get the liquid they need from their food and by drinking.

Many insectivorous birds get most of their water from food.

Seed-eating birds have a dry diet and they do need to drink more.

Water is freely available to small birds at the shallow edges of ponds and streams. They may also drink water droplets that form on leaves, especially if they live in woodland. Aerial species such as swallows and swifts swoop down onto a water body and scoop up a beakful of water while still in flight. Very impressive!

Most birds drink by dipping their bill in water and throwing their head back to swallow. Pigeons and doves are able to immerse their beaks and can drink continuously.

More information at https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-andwildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/birds-and-water/

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JANUARY 2020

Brighter Bridge Of Weir THANK YOU BRIDGE OF WEIR AND THE CO-OP Bridge of Weir’s residents have always been generous to Brighter Bridge of Weir, but this year has been massively boosted by the local Co-op’s communities initiative, where Co-op cardmembers get 5% cashback and 1% donated to a local good cause of their choice. We were one of those chosen for the 12 months ending in October, and today we were presented with a cheque for £4,509.62!

What a great pre-Christmas present for us - and for Bridge of Weir, too, because we will spend all of it on making our village brighter and more colourful all year round.

HERE’S TO 2020 We hope all our supporters and followers had a great Christmas and have a very happy New Year. Brighter Bridge of Weir’s 10th anniversary is coming up this year and we’ll be starting it with the launch of our latest project: the creation of a Bridge of Weir Heritage Garden in Livery Walk. It will be our biggest venture ever, not in terms of size, but in its ambition and complexity. We’re planning a celebration of our village’s history, and the contribution and sacrifices made by its people over the last 250-odd years. It certainly won’t be an overnight event and we don’t have a definite start date yet, but we can be sure that it’ll keep us busy for quite a while.

That will be on top of our usual work. As the project develops, we could do with some more volunteers to help us. No particular skills will be required (but any you have will be put to good use!), just a willingness to help and an appreciation of a smart, tidy village and a healthy environment. We’ll provide more details of this in the Advertizer and on our Facebook page as we progress.

Meantime, we again wish you all a happy 2020.

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society

Lochwinnoch Community Garden Making Bird and Bat Boxes 26th January 2020 Come along with your hammer on the 26th January 2pm in the community garden. There will be lots of happy birds and bats in Lochwinnoch this spring when the look for cosy nest site!!

Thanks to Lochwinnoch RSPB and who donated a lot of the bird boxes!

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society wish all gardeners, garden enthusiasts, lovers of flowers and landscapes A Very Happy New Year. We ended 2019 with a happy evening presented by Sara Packham, of Ardardan Nurseries, sharing with us the growth of Ardardan’s farm shop, nursery plants, tea rooms, and looking to the future with the birth of a new adventure in 2020 - ‘Monty’s Farm’ for families. This sparkling evening ended with a brief AGM celebrating the 140th anniversary of the Society.

We begin 2020 with our January lecture on 15th January which will feature the work of Inverclyde and Ayrshire Beekeepers as they encourage the growth of the Inverclyde Pollinator Corridor.

Everyone is welcome, in the Kilmacolm Community Centre at 7.30p.m.

Note for February : Keep a date with Richard Sutcliffe, retired director of Glasgow Natural History Collections in Scotland – Wednesday 19th February.

Website : www.kilmacolmhorticultural. com

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Business classified

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk SITUATIONS VACANT

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TRADES/ SERVICES/ PROPERTY/ VEHICLES BOXED AD £8.00* per column cm PHOTO £8.00* (vehicle/property sales only) * Prices subject to VAT The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 - the Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in the course of a business MUST include the word Trader, Dealer, Agent, Breeder or appropriate wording in the Advertisement to distinguish from private advertisers.

TRADES AND SERVICES PROPERTY TO LET

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CHILDCARE Kilmacolm/Quarriers area registered childminders.

P/ t i m e o r F/ t i m e vacancies for u-5’s and after school. T: 01505 873839.

MISCELLANEOUS

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Houston registered childminders. For an informal chat to find your best childcare, call Elizabeth Waddell T: 01505 614925

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PRIVATE SALES ONLY (MAXIMUM 40 words) UP TO £500 FREE £501 to £1000 £5.00 OVER £1000 Call for details Email your items to: info@advertizer.co.uk or fill in our online form at: www.advertizer.co.uk/adverts/

ITEMS FOR SALE BABY EQUIPMENT Maxi-Cosy Mura Plus 3 Travel System.

Pushchair with sunshade, rain-cover, & cosy-toes. Collapsible carrycot. Car seat adaptors included. All in excellent condition. £100. Tel: 07765 550180.

CLOTHES & SHOES Gents white Tuxedo, suitable for cruising.

Size 46L, worn twice. Tel : 07757 705188.

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN Small Quadrant shower base and screen, suit small ensuite. 700x700, curved side. Brand new, still wrapped. £100.

Tel: 07876 563768.

3x Ikea Poang chairs, cream. £9 each or £25 for 3. Tel: 07876 563768.

IKEA MALM chest of 6 drawers with lift up mirror, size W40, D48.5, H123cm. Light wood colour. Smoke free house. £99 new, only £40. Tel: 07876 563768.

Cement mixer, 1/2 size. £25. Tel: 07876 563768.

Bath, glass fibre, white, 1700 long. £20.

Tel: 07876 563768.

Propagation tent: Hydroponics Grow Tent Bud Dark Room 2.4m x 2.4m x 2m. VGC £160 new, yours for £80. Tel: 07876 563768.

Large M&S sofa bed, Terracotta. Hardly used in good condition. £150. Tel: 07757 705188.

Armchair, high seat, suitable for elderly person. £50. Tel : 07757 705188.

SPORTS Cannondale Synapse carbon road bike, excellent condition. Ridden regularly but not excessively. Upgraded brake set to Shimano 105 brakes with Swiss Stop brake pads. KMC lightweight chain nearly new. Selling with Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels with brand new Continental Four Season tyres (700 x 25). Also brand new Fabric Scoop saddle. Compact chain ring (50-34) and 11 speed cassette (11-32). Prepared to sell with Look Keo Classic pedals if wanted. Lovely bike and joy to ride. £700. Tel: 07943 514701.

Golf Clubs: Lynx Match Set of Irons, complete with Putter, Cobra Woods, Bag, Caddy Car & extras. £150. Tel: 01505 326262.

Pair of water skis Kidder Hotline. £15.

Tel: 07876 563768.

PETS Steel Dog Guard with Boot Divider.

Genuine Mercedes part. To fit Mercedes M L 35 0 m o d e l W 1 6 4 2 0 0 5 - 2 01 1 .

Excellent condition. £90. Tel: 07876 563768.

OTHER ITEMS Brand new steel car wheel 6JX15H2 and new Jinyu tyre 185/60 R15. Stored as spare wheel only. £80. Tel: 07736 067169.

Berol Italic pens. Staedtler pigment liner drawing @ writing pens Faber-Castell.

Pitt artist pens @ landscape Oil pastels, au natural 18 assorted colours Sum of…£25. Tel: 01505 614503.

PAIR of Continental ContiSport Contact 5 235/50/R18 SUV Extra Load. 15,000 miles only on rear of Ford Kuga. Top quality tyres with plenty tread and no damage/repairs. £60. Tel: 07528 362930.

Casio Organ with stand. Brand new. £50 ono. Tel: 07940 127136.

WANTED ITEMS Old records Wanted 45`s & LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 07710 777571.

Cash paid for Vinyl Records and Music CDs (a few or a lot). Tel: 01505 324683 or 07765 115347.

Local lily grower requires the use of a greenhouse/polytunnel in Kilmacolm area in return for light gardening duties.

Tel: Vince 01505 872082.

Old broken clocks wanted. Tel: 07540 603019.

usefuL NUMBERS

DEFIBRILlATOR SITES

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Police/Fire/Ambulance 999 or 101 (non-emergency) Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 Scottish Water 0800 077 8778 SEPA 0300 99 66 99 Floodline 0345 988 1188 Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60 Flytipping 0845 2 30 40 90

HOSPITALS NHS 24 Royal Alexandra Inverclyde Royal Queen Elizabeth Gartnavel

111 0141 887 9111 01475 633777 0141 201 1100 0141 211 3000

COUNCILS Inverclyde

01475 717171 www.inverclyde.gov.uk/ Renfrewshire 0300 300 0300 www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

POLICE Crimestoppers Police Scotland

0800 555 111 01786 289070

ROADS R.A.L.F Traveline

0800 37 36 35 0871 200 2233

HELPLINES Alcoholics Anon 0800 9177 650 Childline 0800 1111 Citizens Advice 0808 800 1007 Consumer Direct 0808 800 9060 Financial Conduct Authority 0800 111 6768 Missing People 116 000 ParentLine 0800 028 2233 Renfrewshire Care 24 0141 314 7148 or 0141 314 7147 Samaritans 116 123 Trading Standards 03454 04 05 06 Victim Support 0800 160 1985

BISHOPTON The Cornerstone, Greenock Road Bishopton Community Centre

BROOKFIELD Brookfield Village Hall Main Entrance

BRIDGE OF WEIR Co-Op Old Ranfurly Golf Club Ranfurly Castle Golf Club The Gate House, Bridge of Weir Leather Works

ELDERSLIE Elderslie Golf Club

HOUSTON Outside Church Hall, Main Street Co-Op Strathgryffe Squash & Fitness Club (Reception)

HOWWOOD Howwood Hall, Station Road Christ the King Church, Bowfield Road

JOHNSTONE Keystore, Spateston Keystore, Corseford Johnstone Town Hall Scottish Fire and Rescue, Thorn Brae

KILMACOLM Kilmacolm Golf Club St Columba’s Senior School Gym, Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm Kilmacolm Library (rear of New Surgery)

KILBARCHAN Scout Hall Kilbarchan Bowling Club

LINWOOD Onyx Leisure Centre Spar, Clippens Road Asda

PAISLEY Asda Russell Institute

QUARRIERS William Quarriers House at entrance to Faith Avenue Country View

FREE CYCLE Plato 3ft x 5ft SHORT LENGTH pine bunk beds. Tel: 01505 612162.

Fold-out Sofa Bed small - navy blue, size H51, W112, D73cm, sleeping area W112, L173cm. Slight tear to one handle.

Smoke free house. Tel: 07876 563768.

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.

49 48-51 CLASSIFIED_304 JANUARY 2020.indd 49

18/12/2019 12:42:55

Next deadline -

Wednesday 15th JANUARY

Business directory

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

BY CATEGORY ACCOUNTANTS & FINANCIAL Affluent Financial Planning . .

Brewin Dolphin Glasgow . . . . .

CLA Accountancy Services . . .

Innovative Estate Planning Ltd . .

Stewart Independent Financial . .

16 17 16 17 Bk

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

BATHROOMS Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5

BEDROOMS Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7

BLACKSMITH & METALWORK McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 43

BUILDING SERVICES B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 12 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 19 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 12 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 9 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 23 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 29 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 23 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 39

FUNERAL SERVICES

JOINERS

RESTAURANT & BARS

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . Bk John Roach Funeral Directors . . 27

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 10 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 12 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 29 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 23 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 19

GARAGE DOORS & GATES Garolla Roller Shutter Doors . . 11 Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

GARDEN SERVICE & DESIGN 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 45 CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 45 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 47 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 Lady Grafters Garden Services . . 45 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 R Williams Tree Services . . . 45 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 45 West of Scotland Landscape . . 47

GAS & HEATING SERVICES C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 22 Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 9 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 7 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 8 KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 43 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 41 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

GLAZIER 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 9 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

HAIRDRESSERS & BARBERS Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 20 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 21

CARE SERVICES & HOMES

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 7 Home Instead Senior Care . . . 23

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 20 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 11 Clyde Physiotherapy and Pilate . . 31 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 39 Footprints Podiatry . . . . . . . . 9 Jamie Scott Personal Training . . 31 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 13 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 37 Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

CLEANING & POWERWASH Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 23 Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 18 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 24

COFFEE SHOPS Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 19

EDUCATION Renfrewshire Speakers Club . . 29

ELECTRICIANS GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Russell Milne Electrician . . 29

FENCING Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 43

FIREWOOD & LOGS LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . .

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . .

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . .

47 41 23 45

HOME HARDWARE Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

KILT & DRESS HIRE Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 10

KITCHENS Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 23

LEISURE & RECREATION Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 31

LOCKSMITHS Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

PAINTERS & DECORATORS A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 3 Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 43 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Frewstons Decor . . . . . . . . . . . 37 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

PC, WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

PEST CONTROL RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 9

PET SERVICES & TRAINING Fields of Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Waggys Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . Bk

PLASTERERS Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 28 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 12 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 9

PLUMBERS

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 22 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Renfrewshire Handyman Hire . . 43

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 22 Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 9 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 7 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 8 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 43 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 41

HOME INTERIORS

PROPERTY, SALES & LET

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 23 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 5

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

HOME SECURITY Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 28

Contact us

REMOVALS @ease Removals & Transport . . 24

1st Floor, Neva Place Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN

01505 613340

www.advertizer.co.uk

info@advertizer.co.uk

@GryffeAds

Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 12:30pm

48-51 CLASSIFIED_304 JANUARY 2020.indd 50

ROOFING Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 19 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 28 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 9 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 29 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 39

SOLICITORS Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1

SPECIAL OCCASIONS ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

STOVES Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 23

TAXIS ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

TILING Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 35 Paul Jaconelli Pro Tiling . . 29 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

TRAVEL AGENTS Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3

TREE SURGEON Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 47 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 45 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 R Williams Tree Services . . . 45 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 45

TV & SATELLITE Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 12 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 22

UPHOLSTERY SERVICES Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 18

WINDOW CLEANERS DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 23 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 18 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 41

WINDOW, CONSV & REPAIR

Pick up a Copy Bishopton:

Kilmacolm:

Bridge of Weir:

Langbank:

Woodrow’s Store, Library, May’s Coffee Shop Gibb Stuart, Bernie’s Cafe, Lochnagar, The Bridge, Library (Cargill Hall), Bunty’s General Store

Erskine:

Garden Centre, Library, Sports Centre, Swimming pool

Newsagent, Cross Café, Library, Community Centre

Lochwinnoch:

Castle Semple Centre, Keystore, Library, Dolce Vita

Finlaystone Visitor Centre

LANGBANK BISHOPTON KILMACOLM

Houston:

Howwood: SCAN ME

Innovative Estate Planning Ltd . . 17 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 8 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 12 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 Jamie Scott Personal Training . . 31 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 27 KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 43 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 45 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 22 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 9 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lady Grafters Garden Services . . 45 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 41 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 41 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 6 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 43 Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 41 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 13 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 21 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 37 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 23 Paul Jaconelli Pro Tiling . . 29 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 24 Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 R Williams Tree Services . . . 45 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 9 Renfrewshire Handyman Hire . . 43 Renfrewshire Speakers Club . . 29 Russell Milne Electrician . . 29 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 31 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 29 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 23 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 19 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 5 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 39 Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Waggys Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . Bk Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 West of Scotland Landscape . . 47

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Co-op, Carrick Centre, Post Office, Newsagent

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.

50

RETAIL Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15 Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 19 The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 5

A TO Z @ease Removals & Transport . . 24 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 3 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 45 ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Affluent Financial Planning . . 16 Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 20 B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 12 Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 19 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 11 Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Brewin Dolphin Glasgow . . . . . 17 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 19 Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 28 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 28 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 22 CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 CLA Accountancy Services . . . 16 Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 9 Clyde Physiotherapy and Pilate . . 31 ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 43 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 7 Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 45 Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 12 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 10 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 23 Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 18 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 39 Fields of Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Footprints Podiatry . . . . . . . . 9 Frewstons Decor . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Garolla Roller Shutter Doors . . 11 Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 9 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,15 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 47 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 35 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 10 Home Instead Senior Care . . . 23 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 7

Village Store, St Vincent’s Hospice

QUARRIERS

HOUSTON

BRIDGE OF WEIR BROOKFIELD ELDERSLIE JOHNSTONE

KILBARCHAN

Johnstone:

Papa Mac’s, Library

Kilbarchan:

Post Office, Campbell’s, Newsagents, Bobbins

HOWWOOD LOCHWINNOCH

18/12/2019 12:43:06

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340

JANUARY 2020

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• LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL BUSINESS www.advertizer.co.uk

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Distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Elderslie • Houston • Howwood• Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank• Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

17/12/2019 16:17:32

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