305 February 20 - Gryffe Advertizer

In business for 25 years!

13500

No.305

February 2020

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image: Douglas Forrest, Paisley Colour Photographic Club

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

copies MONTHLY

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 12th February

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Advertising Feature

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25th

ANNIVERSARY!

this month

I am certainly feeling my age this month. It was 25 years ago in February 1995 that I first started publishing The Advertizer, then just a black and white four page newssheet, delivered around Kilmacolm. Like many start-ups, I worked from a spare room in the house and did everything relating to the business, including the first few month’s deliveries to 2,000 homes. Then I gathered a small team of local youngsters earning some pocket money in return for helping with deliveries. In fact, one of our first delivery kids is now a proud father of two, who are both school age. Now I really do feel old.

I was reminded of this anniversary by my older daughter, who now works in the office with me, that the February 2020 issue marks our Advertizer 25th Year Anniversary! This is the same daughter who was born early during a publishing week in 1998 leaving my dear husband having to take time off work to carry out Advertizer duties. The arrival of our younger daughter in 2001 made me realise that I might just need someone else on board the Advertizer team, and it was not long after that that I took the leap of faith and became an employer. I was joined by Suzanne and Linda who helped me mould the magazine towards the product you see today.

The fact they both remained with me for over 10 years suggests they enjoyed their work, I hope!

The Advertizer was going to be a small, part-time job, to allow me the time to enjoy being a mum while earning a little - how could I know then what it would become. I now have a small but perfectly formed team working for me, and our distribution area is now in excess of 13,000 copies each month. We cover all the villages in the Gryffe area and have also spread out into Lochwinnoch, Howwood, Elderslie, Langbank and Bishopton.

The magazine has always been based on the formula of providing local news and advertising. We try to maintain a 50:50 ratio of this to make the magazine an interesting read rather than just an ad sheet. I have to say I’m very proud of how the publication has evolved over the years, and we have a number of ideas for taking it a step further in the future. We are also keen to hear ideas from our readers on how we can improve our content and hope to bring you plenty of useful and relevant information in the year ahead.

I would like to give a huge thank you to my co-workers, past and present, our dozens of loyal advertising clients who make the community magazine financially viable and the many contributors who help us with the editorial and photographic content. I have a few clients who have supported the magazine since it’s very first issue in February 1995 and I hope to bring you a stable platform to get your information out to the local community for many years to come.

And finally, we have now passed the shortest day and the evenings should be getting lighter with every week. Plans will be starting soon for our annual events and once again the call is on for volunteers to help out. If you would like to be an important part of your community, then please get in touch with your local group and let them know how keen you are! It’s well worth it!

Don't miss our next deadline of 12th February 2020!

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February 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

Contact us!

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01505 613340

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info@advertizer.co.uk

@GryffeAds

Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 12:30pm

SCAN ME

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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Wednesday 12th February

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Feature NEws

Caro Ramsay - Q&A Q. What are the best and worst aspects of a writer’s life?

The best is being able to kill people and get away with it, even if it is only fictionally. An imagination that fires all the time is fabulous although that means insomnia on the downside. On the plus side I am never, ever bored. I’ve been very lucky but it is a precarious life – but this is not unique to writers. Writers get more criticism for one book than most people get in a lifetime.

Q. Your first two books were written from a hospital bed, I think, can you tell us about this time?

I managed to fracture my spine and spent a long time in hospitalnot unwell but just unable to move. I was so bored I was thinking about killing everybody in the ward then a friend brought me in a Papermate pen (they can write upside down) and a clipboard. The rest is history!

Q. Did you always want to be a writer? Who inspired/inspires you?

I don’t think I had a burning desire to be a writer, but I’ve always been very good at lying. And I do have a very dark side to my character. At 8 years old I wrote a great short story about the song The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. In my story the bears turned on the children and ate them! I never wander around waiting for the muse to strike, it’s a job like any other but one I enjoy very much. Inspired

by PD James, Ian Rankin when he visited our writers’ group. And Christopher Fowler is a fabulous writer.

Q. Of all of your characters who is your favourite creation? And why?

Asking me for my favourite character is like asking who my favourite dog is!

Described by the Guardian as “black, bleak and brilliant” local writer Caro Ramsay is on her 14th novel. Caro was was born in Govan but now lives in what she wryly tells us what some publicity describes as ‘a small fishing village on the west coast of Scotland; Elderslie.’ We were lucky enough to catch up her ahead of her talk at The Paisley Book Festival this month. up to all sorts in their youth and I’m rather enjoying their company – Last of the Summer Wine meets MindHunter.

Q. Tartan Noir has become almost its own genre. Why do you think there are so many crime writers in Scotland?

I think the Scottish mentality lends itself to crime writing. We are a melancholy lot with a great sense of dark humour. The long dark nights? The weather leads to dark thoughts, as does the performance of the national football team!

Q. What is the most elaborate way you’ve imagined killing off someone in your novel? And is there is there such a thing as the perfect crime?

I think dangling somebody over the top of a train tunnel, so they get hit by the train when it comes is pretty horrible. The perfect crime would be a “murder” and it would never be found out. But for me, two people go hillwalking in bad weather – one returns. Just never insure your victim of choice for three million pounds the fortnight just before you accidentally trip and push them off a cliff.

Q. Which book are you most proud of and why?

Most writers should have a natural affection for the first book that was completed and in my case that was the first book that got published. And the book being written should be the best, as, as an artist, you should be getting better at your craft. I do like to challenge myself, I’m fourteen books not a series and I never want to be accused of writing the same book over and over again.

So Mosaic was a nod to the unreliable narrator. It sold out in the states within two weeks of publication so I think it succeeded. The Red Red Snow, is my next book and it’s a nod to the locked room mystery.

- Anderson and Costello. I spend a lot of time with them and to me they are real so it’s like going into the office in the morning and saying hello. They might be in a mood, I might be in a mood so we see how the day goes. If Anderson is being bland and noncommittal, I’ll talk to Costello more. This is normal for writers.

Q. What are you currently reading?

- As for a baddie? Eve in the second book, Singing to the Dead, was a great character to write. She had no filter at all! The new book I’m writing has got three 85 year old men in it who have been

Caro will be appearing at Paisley Central Library at 7.30pm on 24/02/20. The event is free but book tickets in advance. paisleybookfest.com - full interveiw at advertizer.co.uk/insight.

Well I am reading two new writers on the Scottish scene, both names to watch out for. One is Dan Scottow with his novel Damaged, the other writer is Douglas Sinclair – a name to watch for in 2021. One is paperback, the other on my kindle!

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February 2020

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 12th February

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Santa’s Gift is Da Bomb!

Local schoolboy ended up with a Christmas to ‘treasure’ after finding a Second World War cache a matter of minutes after trying out his brand-new Santa-delivered metal detector.

Seven year old Patrick McAlindon from Kilmacolm was trying out his new present with his family on the beach at Loch Morlich on Christmas Day. Fifteen minutes later he had discovered the remains of an old grenade chest along with two historic ‘warning’ signs.

“I was really freaked out, I thought something was going to explode!” said Patrick.

Patrick had found a munitions deposit left by allied forces on the beach over 70 years ago.

It wasn’t long before the beach was evacuated and police and bomb disposal units appeared on the scene. The professionals were quick to declare the find safe.

Patrick’s dad Andy, a regular Outlander actor, Highlander Tours operator and self-taught history buff, was keen to get the bottom of why the grenades were there in the first place. He explained that nearby Glenmore was used as a base by Norwegian servicemen and women who had escaped their occupied territory.

The place housed a special operations lodge and trained Norwegians for what was to be one of the most daring missions of the Second World War. Norwegian commandos trained here were later parachuted back into Norway in 1943 to seize the Rjukan plant and upset Nazi attempts to build an Atomic bomb.

Mum, Ana, said that it’s not just Patrick who’s got the metal detecting bug. Andy has been regularly taking the detector for a spin. Since the Patrick’s find Andy has unearthed a silver spoon, a gold 1950s wedding ring and two coins possibly dating from the 1920s. Ana is now wondering if she will need to build a museum onto the side of their house to hold the burgeoning collection of artefacts!

Patrick said he just loves finding things. “It’s the best Christmas present ever!”

The optician will see you now!

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians If you’re feeling a bit under the weather, your doctor is usually the first person you’ll get in touch with for a consultation. However, with the current burden on local GP services, we’re encouraged to seek help from other health care professionals when appropriate.

So when is a good time to consult your optician?

Opticians provide a wide variety of eye-care services. In general, people think they only need to visit an optician if they feel they might need glasses to help with reading or driving - but that’s only one aspect to the range of care offered. Your optician can also help with the detection and even prevention of a wide variety of eye conditions.

Co-op Houston Renfrewshire Food Bank ‘Christmas Collection’ You donated - £1,186 and all of the food shown in this picture!

Many thanks to everyone in Houston who donated so generously over the weekend of the 14th and 15th December 2019 and to the customers in the Houston Co-op who donate throughout the year. Without your support, there would be no Food Bank to help the children and their families living in poverty in Renfrewshire.

The Houston Co-op has a Food Bank donation bin in-store all year round with a poster detailing the food ‘urgently needed’ each month.

Jenny x

If you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or if you’re experiencing headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes or are having difficulty watching your favourite TV programmes, you should book a consultation with your optician as soon as possible.

Most opticians will have experienced staff to provide the following services: -

Eye health checks

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Eyesight tests

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Home visits

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Eye examinations for safe driving

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Contact lens fit and supply

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Visual stress exams to help with certain conditions (e.g. dyslexia)

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Optical coherence tomography - a type of X-ray of the eye that can detect serious conditions such as glaucoma

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Prescription sunglasses

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Paediatric eyesight tests

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Wide selection of spectacle frames

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Repair broken frames and lenses

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Referral to your local ophthalmologist (eye doctor) if your optician is not able to help you in their practice

Eye tests are currently offered free of charge in Scotland, so don’t delay, book an appointment with your optician today!

For more information, please call 01505 614700.

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February 2020

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Next deadline -

Wednesday 12th February

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Talk with a solicitor for free!

Wednesday 5th February from 11am - 1.30pm St. Vincent’s Hospice is offering a friendly, legal advice service completely free of charge to any adult in Renfrewshire thanks to the voluntary support of local solicitors.

The service provides an introduction to confidential professional advice and information to help you plan for the future, such as writing your Will and arranging Powers of Attorney.

Many local people recommend the service very highly. Appointments are available between 11am and 1.30pm.

Booking is essential. Please contact June Burgess, Legacy Officer at St. Vincent’s Hospice on 01505 705 635 or email: june.burgess@svh.co.uk

Paisley & District U3A Monthly Meetings This self help education organisation for older people meets on the first Thursday of the month in the Salvation Army Hall, Mill Street, Paisley. Tea and coffee served from 1.30pm with presentations beginning at 2.15pm.

Some dates for your diary: 6th February: James Thomson, Author “In and out of Tam O’Shanter. The story of a tale.”

5th March: Bob Will The Big Dig at Paisley Abbey Drain 2019 ..... The story so far 2nd April: Mary Moran : The Charity Mary’s Meals 7th May: Philip Caine, Author “Barrow to Baghdad & back again.”

4th June: Joyce Bunton: The Body as Energy. Healing Body, Mind and Spirit 2nd July: Emma Louise Livingstone (and “Serge” the dog) Dog Trust Talk Come along and enjoy learning new things for the sheer fun of it.

For more details visit our website: https://u3asites.org.uk/paisley/ welcome

Make-do-and-mend back in fashion in Paisley A new creative hub on Paisley High Street is encouraging everyone to make-do-and-mend.

But far from being the frugal war-time message, fashion and textile experts at ReMode are inspiring people to tailor their favourite clothes to meet the latest trends and protect the environment.

ReMode opened its town centre premise thanks to support from Renfrewshire Council’s creative hub development fund, which enables creative companies to co-locate and collaborate.

Catherine McAtier, Josef McFadden, Carolyn

Edmondson, Emma Owen, Council Leader Iain The social enterprise, founded in 2017 – receives funding from the Scottish Government’s Nicolson, Dominic Snyder, Jane Dixon, Gillian Steel and Chloe Wright Climate Challenge Fund – and now has premises in Paisley and Lochwinnoch, each selling second-hand and upcycled clothing. The dedicated staff team also run sewing workshops and a school education programme highlighting the environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industry.

Project Manager Jane Dixon, a Fine Art graduate with 25 years in arts administration, says: “Our whole ethos is can we make clothes last longer as they are an amazing, valuable resource - you can buy second-hand, you can swap, you can alter or mend the clothes you have. Whatever you want to do, we’re here to help you.

“It’s really exciting being here on the high street as people are popping in and we’re able to have conversations about why we’re here and what issues we’re highlighting. We’re not just a shop; we’re here to talk about the positive things people can do to reduce the impact our fashion choices have on the environment.”

The Paisley premise is also home to clothing and accessory print designer Josef McFadden, who converts his hand-drawn illustrations onto ties, bow ties, hats and scarves; Paisley-born embroiderer Catherine McAtier and local textile designer Chloe Wright, owner of Loopy Lally Designs. They have all benefited from the Council’s InCube Creative programme, which helps people turn their talent into a sustainable business.

Emma Owen, Programme Assistant said, “Make-do-and-mend is back and what’s great is being able to share skills with people and learn from others who come in to see us too as we all need to go back to a place where we share our skills with one another. Paisley is up-and-coming and things are happening on the High Street which will make people proud to live here.”

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Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “It’s great to see ReMode open its new Paisley premises and I look forward to seeing them and all the creative companies based here go from strength-to-strength over the coming years.”

ReMode is the second business to benefit from the Council fund, following furniture upcycling business UpHub opening its Paisley high street hub earlier this year. Plans are in place to establish up to 12 hubs by 2021, each with a different creative focus.

For more information about our creative hubs, call InCube on 0300 300 1180.

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February 2020

Renfrewshire Women’s Aid - Christmas Eve Pyjamas You donated - 241 pairs of pyjamas and 82 pairs of fluffy socks Thank you so much to everyone who so kindly donated Christmas Eve Pyjamas and Fluffy Socks for the women and children who spent Christmas 2019 in the Renfrewshire Women’s Aid refuge.

Your love and support was overwhelming and was greatly appreciated by the staff who were able to make sure that everyone in the refuge went to sleep on Christmas Eve wearing their new pyjamas - ready for Christmas morning presents.

The pyjama collection was so well supported by residents handing in their donations to the Co-op stores in Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilbarchan, that we’ll be making it an annual Christmas event.

Best wishes, Jenny x

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Olivia Giles OBE talk - 500 Miles On Saturday 8th February from 12.30pm to 1.30pm in St Mirin Chapel at Paisley Abbey

St Vincent’s Helps Young People with Loss

In 2002 Olivia contracted the blood poisoning form of Meningitis as a result of which both her legs and lower arms had to be amputated.

After months of rehabilitation she made a full recovery and is fully mobile on prosthetic legs.

In 2007 Olivia founded the charity, 500 Miles, which helps people in Malawi and Zambia who have lost limbs or the use of limbs to enjoy maximum mobility and body functions by helping them to get access to artificial limbs and limb supports.

Olivia will be speaking about 500 miles and about her experience led her to set up the charity.

Scottish Baking Awards at Mar Hall After suffering the loss of a loved one, a group of young girls in Renfrewshire have said they feel “stronger”, “closer” and more “understood” thanks to a pioneering project from the Children and Young People’s Service at St. Vincent’s Hospice.

With the aim of providing a new outlet for peer support, St. Vincent’s recently launched their first “Girls Group”, bringing together a small group of pupils from high schools across Renfrewshire for a series of events and activities.

Children and Young People’s Bereavement Worker, Alison Provan, said: “I have been working with the girls on a one to one basis and they had all lost someone important to them. It was obvious they were each going through a hard time, particularly when it came to their friends ... After a chat with one of the girls (Carly) we thought ‘what if we could find a way for girls going through the same thing to come together?’”

They reached out to Marion McConnell, Home Link Assistant, from St. Benedict’s High School, and decided this was a viable option to take forward in partnership. The group also received an extremely generous grant from Lisa’s Gift of £1,000, which allowed them to build a programme of fun activities.

Alison added: “I’ve been so happy to see the difference this group has made to all the girls. Even though the group only ran for a short period of time, it has brought them all together in a way that you normally wouldn’t see happen in young people. More importantly, now that the group has come to an end, they are all staying in touch. They’ve built their own support network and I’m so proud of each of them.”

Following the success of the project, the Girls have decided to continue to support the Hospice and work together as the first group of Youth Ambassadors. This is a brand new role for St. Vincent’s, which will not only help raise awareness and support for the charity, but will allow the four to develop vital skills and experience towards university and job applications in the future.

Marie Curie is encouraging their supporters to dig out their recipe books and bake up some delights for the Scottish Baking Awards.

The Scottish Baking Awards have selected Marie Curie to be their charity partner in 2020 and Marie Curie staff and volunteers will be there on the day of the awards to see (and hopefully taste!) some of the wonderful creations.

The Scottish Baking Awards will be taking place on 5th September 2020 at Mar Hall. Marie Curie will be raising vital funds on the day by raffling off the winning cake from the Sugarcraft category. All funds raised will go to help people with a terminal illness and their families, bringing lightness into the darkest of times.

Melanie Andrews MBE founder of the Scottish Baking Awards wanted to be able to give support to a charity who does so much to help people with a terminal illness. Melanie said “I am absolutely delighted to be able to support Marie Curie and all the continued hard work that this outstanding Charity does day in day out. I would like to encourage everyone at Marie Curie to get their Baking bowls out and enter the greatest show in Scotland.

You must have a great recipe that you or your mother, grandmother or even your children love to bake at home. If you prefer eating instead of baking then come along on the day and eat your way through our many, many entries. All our entries will be donated to Marie Curie on the day. All entry tickets can be purchased at our website. www.scottishbakingawards.co.uk Anyone can enter the Scottish Baking Awards, there are nine categories including a junior category for bakers aged 8 - 16. You can see more details by going to www.scottishbakingawards. co.uk For more information about Marie Curie, please go to www. mariecurie.org.uk

Scottish Huntington’s Association Family Ceilidh Saturday 14th March from 7.30pm - 11.30pm Pollokshaws Burgh Hall Trust, 2025 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G43 1NE A night of Ceilidh Dance … Bringing cultures from around the world together through music and dance. Come along and have a good old knees up with music from Andy Gordon Ceilidh Band. Children welcome.

Any questions. Please contact Linda on 0141 848 0308 or by emailing linda.winters@hdscotland.org

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February 2020

Call For Artists!

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

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.

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Wednesday 12th February

Local

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

history

John Love, a Kilbarchan Weaver

Guided Tours of Paisley Abbey

John Love (born in 1806) was a typical Kilbarchan weaver. He was also a well renowned bee-keeper.

In 1841 he and his wife Mary lived in the upper storey of Mount Pleasant, the last house on the right in Shuttle Street. Mary’s brother Robert Climie, her two sisters and her widowed mother were also part of the household.

John Love and his brother-in-law, Robert Climie, had their loomshop on the ground floor of the property. Both were silk handloom weavers. John’s wife, Mary, worked as a pirn winder and their twelve year old son was learning the weaving trade.

John and Robert cultivated flowers in their large garden and kept bees. John, however, was the gardening expert and was well-renowned as a Kilbarchan florist-weaver. The garden was a floral display of roses, herbaceous plants, and grafted fruit trees. However, the greatest attraction in the garden was John’s display of ‘pinks’ (carnations). He was acknowledged as the Scottish champion ‘pink’ grower.

John had numerous bee-hives, but one bee-house was unique. It was a model of a two-storey dwelling house, complete with chimney and chimney sweep. John’s other skill was as a taxidermist. His collection of numerous, carefully stuffed specimens of natural history was on display in his house.

In the mid-1870s John, who had been a tenant in Mount Pleasant for almost forty years, was forced by a new owner to vacate the property. John and his unmarried daughter, Elizabeth, moved to Paisley where they continued to work now as worsted weavers, in less pleasant surroundings.

John stayed in Paisley for some years, and then at the age of seventy-six, moved to the island of Bute to look after a fruit garden where he grew, among other produce, strawberries and Caledonian plum trees and kept bees. However, John missed his old home in Kilbarchan.

Like many ordinary Kilbarchan weavers, he often took the time to communicate his feelings in verse. In one letter sent from Bute to a friend, John wrote the touching lines, Yes! That is the tale I whisper, As I muse in the firelight glow, As I sit in the hush of the evening, And think of long ago.

After five years in Bute, John was pleased to come back to Kilbarchan and lived with a family named George at Bleachfield House in Merchant Close. In 1891 his friend described John, who looked only in his late sixties, as ‘a yellow haired laddie of eighty five summers’. He was of middle height, nimble, fleet of foot and of an amiable disposition. He was a healthy individual who had sought medical attendance only once in his long life. John Love died in Kilbarchan in 1896 at the age eighty-nine © 2020 Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum Our next lecture “Ye Jacobites by Name” by Derek Alexander (NTS Archaeologist) will be held in the McLean Building, Room D137/9, University of the West of Scotland, on 13th February at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome.

Johnstone History Society Our February meeting is on the 11th of the month at 7.30pm, in the Masonic Hall, Collier Street. The speaker on this occasion is James Winnett who will be telling us about “The Empire Exhibition 1938”. We look forward to a good attendance of members and visitors. Everyone will be made welcome. Our first meeting of 2020 was very interesting and The Ladies ABandC proved to be some ladies of note from Paisley whose surnames began with A B and C. These ladies did a great deal of philanthropic work in the town .

© commons.wikimedia.org/

Built in the 12th century and steeped in history, Paisley Abbey is a fascinating building to visit, find out more on one of the regular guided tours! From its foundation in 1163 to the present day - worship in Paisley Abbey has been offered to God and hospitality extended to all pilgrims and visitors.

Much of the original building was destroyed by fire in 1307 and restored during the fourteenth Century. The sixth High Steward, Walter, married Marjory Bruce, the daughter of the famous Scottish King Robert the Bruce (who had defeated an English army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314) in 1315. In the following year, Marjory died at the Abbey following a tragic riding accident nearby, but the baby in her womb was saved and he became King Robert II of Scotland, the first of the Stewart monarchs. For that reason, the Abbey claims to be the ‘cradle of the Royal House of Stewart.’ Our present Queen is descended from him. In fact, the Abbey is the final resting place of six High Stewards of Scotland, Princess Marjory Bruce, the wives of King Robert II and King Robert III for whose tomb, Queen Victoria provided a canopy in 1888 (shown above).

The collapse of the central tower in the mid-16th century destroyed the transepts and choir and a wall was built across the east end of the nave. At the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the monastery was disbanded, the monastic buildings handed over to the Hamilton family and the walled-off nave became the parish church of Paisley.

The transepts and choir were to remain in ruins until the late 19th and early 20th centuries when they were restored to create one of the finest churches in Scotland.

We now have a ticket system for tours available at the Abbey Shop priced £5. Still excellent value! www. paisleyabbey.org.uk

The Museum is again open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am till 4pm. We have a large selection of books, information pamphlets and maps for sale. These are also available online at johnstonehistory.org and may be paid for through PayPal. .

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February 2020

Love Your Smile

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner at Kilbarchan Dental Practice With Valentine’s Day falling in February it is a time when many people want to look their best and, of course, your dentist can help!

Did you know that you can remove staining from teeth with a simple air polishing treatment - a low cost process that “blasts” teeth with tiny granules using high pressure air. It is most effective in the treatment of teeth that have been stained by coffee, red wine or smoking - or a combination – and can be carried out by a hygienist.

If you would like to enhance the look of your teeth further there are a range of teeth whitening treatments that can increase the whiteness of your teeth dramatically. Most dentists will provide a free initial assessment and consultation to discuss your options.

Many dentists now also offer other aesthetic treatments such as wrinkle reduction, facial peels and lip-plumping and fillers. This makes a lot of sense as dental staff are highly trained and work in tightly regulated clinical environments. Again, you can usually book in for a free initial consultation.

Something you can do yourself is to use a tongue scraper for fresher breath and to make sure that there is no hiding place for germs and bacteria. Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush can also help but a tongue scraper does a much better job.

The best way to love your smile is to brush your teeth properly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a good quality toothbrush.

We always recommend electric toothbrushes so if you haven’t got one (or have one that is a bit out of date) why not consider treating yourself to a wee valentines gift – and remember brush heads and manual toothbrushes need replacing every 3 - 4 months!

If you would like any more advice on how to care for, or improve the look of, your teeth visit us at Kilbarchan Dental Practice, call 01505 704969 or click www.kilbarchandental.co.uk where you’ll find lots more free tips.

One solar year takes roughly 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. That extra five-or-so hours nobody likes to talk about are precisely why we have leap years: the 366-day years that occur every four years, encourage women to propose to men, and make celebrating birthdays very confusing for 1/1,461th of the population.

After Pope Gregory XIII instituted the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the idea of adding February 29th every four years seemed so ridiculous that a British play joked that it was a day when women should trade their dresses for “breeches” and act like men. The play was meant as satire, but by the 1700s, women were using Leap Day to propose to the men in their lives. The tradition - now called Bachelor’s Day (Irish tradition) or Sadie Hawkins Day (American folk event and pseudo-holiday originated by Al Capp’s classic hillbilly comic strip Li’l Abner (1934–1978)) - peaked in the early 1900s and continues today in the UK, where some retailers even offer discount packages to women popping the question.

The Salem witchcraft trials have a particularly negative connection with Leap Day. The first warrants for arrest went out on February 29th, 1692 for the Salem witchcraft trials. And you thought Friday the 13th was spooky!

Is February 29th good luck or bad luck? Depends on who you ask!

According to an old Scottish aphorism, “leap year was ne’er a good sheep year.” The superstition that Leap Days are particularly lucky or unlucky has been debated through history and across cultures, and there’s still no clear winner.

The 30th February occurred in Sweden and Finland in 1712, when they added an extra Leap Day to help catch up their outdated Julian calendar with the new Gregorian calendar.

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Wednesday 12th February

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Paisley Book Festival Highlights The full programme has been announced for the first ever Paisley Book Festival. The inaugural event - set to become a regular annual festival in Paisley’s cultural calendar - will celebrate Radical Stories and Rebel Voices to mark the 200th anniversary of the Paisley Radicals. It will run at various venues across the town from 20th to 29th February 2020. Highlights across the ten days include: • A major opening night event celebrating Renfrewshire Rebels, featuring an exclusive reading from Scottish radicalism author Maggie Craig, poetry from Renfrewshire born Jim Carruth, and music from Glasgow-based singer-songwriter Heir of the Cursed (20th February) • John Byrne returning to his native Paisley for a Big Birthday Bash celebrating his 80th year. Part retrospective of his incredible body of work and part a raucous knees-up, expect readings from John’s plays, old and new, special guests and probably some cake (22nd February) • From wowing the crowds at Glastonbury to closing the first ever Paisley Book Festival in style, the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers - aka an all-star line-up of Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Mark Billingham, Doug Johnstone, Stuart Neville and Luca Veste - will swap murder for music in a toe-tapping and unmissable live gig (29th February) • Renowned Scottish broadcaster Kirsty Wark in discussion with Ruth Wishart about her new novel and her life at the forefront of political reporting, as part of the University of the West of Scotland’s Inspiring Women series (22nd February) • Editor of The Good Immigrant - a vital collection of writings by emerging British BAME authors, poets, journalists and artists on the issues of race and immigration - Nikesh Shukla will share a timely conversation with Jay G Ying, co-founder of the BAME Scottish Writers Network (23rd February) • Marking thirty years since the publication of her debut novel The Trick Is To Keep Breathing introduced her as a lyrical, radical new voice in Scottish literature, Janice Galloway talks about her life, work, and anything else that takes her fancy (22nd February) • Scots Makar Jackie Kay reading poems on the festival’s theme of Radical Stories and Rebel Voices, including some new work inspired by the American performer and international activist Paul Robeson (28th February) • Jenni Fagan, Kirstin Innes and Emma Jane Unsworth - authors of three of 2020’s most anticipated new novels Luckenbooth, Scabby Queen and Adults - get together to chat about the politics of writing rebellious, non-conformist female protagonists (23rd February) • An evening of rebel poetry curated by Scottish culture blog The Fountain, with live performances from Michael Pederson, Hollie McNish and Sarah Stewart (27th February) • Renowned multi-award-winning Scottish writer and performer Alan Bissett introduces some of his favourite Scottish talents in three unexpected Paisley locations. Sonnet Youth’s: Scottish poets Kevin P Gilday, Imogen Stirling and Magi Gibson performing in the booths of the Bull Inn and the surreal and funny literary sensation behind Hings and HWFG, Chris McQueer, at legendary live music venue Callum’s Cavern, plus a look at the mountain of working class poetry unearthed from Renfrewshire archives in 1990 by then-Paisley writer in residence Tom Leonard and unread for centuries (28th and 29th February) • 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.

(23rd February)

John Byrne © The Fine Art Society

Fun Lovin’Crime Writers © Bernie Sweeny

Kirsty Wark © Heather Yates

Jackie Kay © Mary McCartney

Alan Bisset Presents Chris McQueer © Sinead Grainger

Tickets are on sale now - online at www.paisleybookfest.com, by calling 0300 300 1210 or in person at Paisley Arts Centre.

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tney

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Finance & Tech Gryffe Rotary Speaker Meeting Wednesday 8th January – Ian Henderson “Saving Coats Memorial Church” Ian Henderson was educated at Paisley Grammar, then Paisley College of Technology where he studied Civil Engineering.

Ian established Henderson Properties constructing housing in Paisley and in Kenya to where he regularly commutes. In 2019, he was approached by the Trustees of Coats Memorial Church for his help and experience in finding a long-term use for the building. As Chair of the Board of Trustees Ian set up a Steering Group and a Campaign was initiated early last year, entitled “100 days to Save Coats Memorial Church” with a target to raise £1.5 million. This has been very successful with a local businessman already donating £100K. After consultation with the Trustees, colleagues and other professionals it was decided to convert the interior for use as a multipurpose Arts Venue to accommodate concerts, ballet, theatre and weddings while preserving the beautiful architecture and stained windows.

A most interesting presentation and we wish him success for this project and his other enterprises.

Wednesday 15th January – Tim Mark “Does Money Grow on Trees?”

Tim is a forestry consultant who manages forestry for Elderslie Estates. Elderslie Estates extend from Houston to Brookfield and Bridge of Weir to Kilmacolm.

The forests and woodland within the estate are in three groups.

The highest land is devoted to commercial forests, mostly Sitka Spruce. Lower ground is a mix of commercial trees and amenity woodland. Then there is the land close to Houston House which is mainly old hardwood trees dating back to the 1860s. Only 7% of the timber used in the UK is sourced domestically, the rest being imported, but in the last couple of years because of the biomass market and changes in exchange rates its value has soared. Tim has been instrumental in pioneering fastgrowing Eucalyptus trees as an alternative to Sika Spruce for the biomass market, so far successfully. This was another fascinating talk with many questions successfully fielded by Tim. 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 gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com

Buying a Car?... Drive a hard bargain!

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd Many people will look to change their car in 2020, so what are the things you should consider before you buy a new set of wheels?

Which month to buy? – December is the best month to buy (because the dealers have year-end targets to meet), but March and September are when new registrations are issued meaning that there are lots of new cars and preowned cars for sale.

New or Old? Know that if you want a brand-new car then you will pay a high price with depreciation on your car – make sure this is an informed choice you make rather than an emotional one.

The Dealer is not your friend – Although the friendly car salesperson seems like a nice person, they are incentivised to get you to pay the highest amount of money possible for your new car. This is a business transaction not a social outing – be friendly but remain business-like in your dealings with the car salesperson.

Know what you want – don’t go to the car dealership until you are clear what car you want to buy and how much you want to spend.

Do your homework – Use online tools to get an independent valuation on your car if you are trading it is, and a valuation on the car you want to buy. Have your car valeted before you take it for a trade in appraisal and have your paperwork in order.

Cash or Finance? How are you going to pay for the car? Cash is simplest – if you need finance then investigate personal loan options before considering others such as hire purchase or personal contract purchase (PCP) deals.

Beware 0% deals – Finance via the car dealership can be expensive and don’t be persuaded to sign up to a deal without taking the details away and thinking it over – remember the salesperson is incentivised to get you to pay as much as possible for the deal !

Never negotiate on monthly repayment – Always base your negotiations with the dealer on the price of the car, not how much you can afford each month – you could end up paying over the odds for the car.

Buy when it’s quiet – arrange to go to the dealership when they need new sales – towards the end of a month/ quarter and a day when it’s not busy – avoid weekends.

Ask for extras – ask if the dealer will include road tax, car mats or free servicing as part of the deal – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

This information is not financial advice. If you require advice you should consult a professional adviser. The first meeting is normally free and there is no obligation. Call us for a FREE financial review on 01505 59 50 60 or email info@affluentfp.co.uk. Alternatively, pop into the Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www. affluentfp.co.uk

Affluent FP Finalist in National Awards Bridge of Weir based financial planning firm, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd, has again been recognised as a consistently outstanding team of financial planners. Affluent has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the Citywire New Model Adviser Awards 2020 for the Scotland & Northern Ireland region. These prestigious awards highlight outstanding UK financial planners delivering 1st class advice, service and value to consumers.

Affluent is no stranger as a Finalist in these awards having been a finalist 7 times, and winning in 2010.

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Self Assessment deadline: 31/01/2020 If you’ve still to complete your tax return, you only have a few days left! The deadline to complete your return for the tax year 2018 to 2019 is 31 January 2020.

Help is available on GOV.UK, from the Self Assessment phone helpline (0300 200 3310), and on social media.

New Government Help for first-time house-buyers

by Dallas McMillan, Solicitors

The Scottish Government has just launched its “First Home Fund”, a scheme intended to help first-time buyers onto the property ladder. The main features of the scheme are:-

• Only one of joint buyers needs to be a first-time buyer.

• Provides up to £25,000 towards the purchase price of new-build and existing properties (unlike the current “Help to Buy” scheme which is available for new-build properties only).

• No upper limit on the purchase price of the proposed house.

• Scheme runs until March 2021.

• Can be used along with the “Help to Buy” scheme or Lifetime scheme but not with any other such scheme.

• Under the equity scheme, the buyer will own the whole property.

The Government will not own any part.

• Government’s grant is instead secured on the house’s equity, and is repaid when the house is sold (or earlier if the buyer wishes).

There is no monthly repayment.

• Grant does not need to be repaid if house is later remortgaged.

• No means-testing of applications under this “First Home Fund” scheme.

• The application fee is £550, however fee is refunded in full if application is unsuccessful.

• Following award of the grant, the buyer has three months to conclude the purchase contract (missives) and three further months to complete the purchase.

• Note, (i) the scheme is not available for buy-to-let properties, and (ii) there is a general prohibition against letting, taking in lodgers and otherwise sharing occupation.

The new First Home Fund is potentially of great help to first-time buyers. Anyone looking to buy their first property will be welladvised to obtain early advice from solicitors well-versed in the terms of the scheme.

• Buyers must fund 5% of the purchase themselves and also take a mortgage out for at least 25% of the house’s value.

LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR Law Awards of Scotland 2018

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk West Ren Annual Concert 2020 West Renfrewshire Young Farmers proudly presents to you their Annual Variety Concert entitled “Rising Tides and Switching Sides”.

This event will take place on Thursday 6th, Friday 7th & Saturday 8th February in a new venue at Johnstone Town Hall, with curtain up at 7:30pm. All welcome.

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Time to Try The Rotary

N E W S

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

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.

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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!

G E N E R A L

Renfrewshire Foodbank makes Christmas a little brighter for people The number of people using Renfrewshire Foodbank continues to grow - but kind donations from the people of Renfrewshire ensured people had supplies over Christmas.

This Christmas, people received food parcels and butcher meat vouchers for Graeme’s in Paisley, John Marshall & Son in Johnstone, and Bannatyne in Renfrew.

Wood chippings donated to Community Garden Bishopton Scout Group were once again collecting Christmas trees for recycling and were delighted to supply 281 recycled Christmas tree chippings to Erskine Community Garden for use in the garden.

Heather Clissett, who runs the Community Garden in Erskine, said: “We’re extremely grateful to the Scouts and David for this. And also to everyone whose tree we now have in the garden.”

N E W S

The Scout Group asked for a minimum donation of £7.50 and thanks to the public’s generosity they averaged over £9 per tree raising a fantastic £2,526.50. The money raised will go to providing adventurous activities within the Explorer section (14 to 17 year olds) of Bishopton Scouts giving them skills for life.

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This couldn’t happen without a lot of hard work from Scout Leaders who give up their time, talents and resources to help with the Scouting journey of our young people. Also to the Explorers as they gave up their time, worked hard collecting the trees and all with a smile on their faces!

Thank you to local businesses, Hamilton Ross Group Bishopton for providing the chipper again this year, Tom Hindmarch @ TDH Landscapes for all his help keeping the big pile of trees flowing through the chipper, to Sneddon Signs for all their help and providing fantastic new magnetic Scout trailer signs, and to Dougie Mcwhirter for the loan of the big red trailer which was full again this year.

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

Local charity the Night Before Christmas also donated boxes full of toys and gifts to the foodbank so that they could be given out to youngsters in need.

Image: Foodbank project manager Elizabeth Alexander Renfrewshire and volunteer Rena Ioannou Foodbank project manager Elizabeth Alexander hopes that there is no need for a foodbank in 2020 but is grateful that the people of Renfrewshire do so much to help people in need.

Elizabeth said: “The number of people we’re helping has definitely increased and our donations have increased in response to that. We’re extremely grateful that the Renfrewshire community is so willing to support us. It’s the people of Renfrewshire that keep us going.

“Without their help, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

We have a tremendous team of volunteers and work closely with charities, churches and schools to make sure no one goes without.”

On Wednesday 18th December alone, the foodbank provided parcels for 75 people in five hours.

Renfrewshire Foodbank links up with community organisations to provide the best possible service to people, and is also working with St Mirren FC on the Festive Friends initiative to provide support to people who will be spending Christmas on their own.

Renfrewshire Council employees donate to the foodbank through the Council’s Food Bank Food Rush Initiative.

Since the initiative started in 2014, more than 130,000 items have been donated. A three-week collection at Renfrewshire House in June gathered 433.95g of supplies which equates to 1,033 meals.

Renfrewshire Foodbank operates from Paisley Central Baptist Church. You can find out more via the website renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk

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WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH

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. 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.

Houston | Crosslee | Brookfield

Houston & Crosslee Brownies & Girlguiding

French

Fox and Hounds, Houston at 9.30am till 12noon and alternate Tuesday from 2pm - 4pm.

Details: 07463 570464 or email avril.forbes2015@outlook.com

Crafty Friends 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

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

Sunday Crew

Houston

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We are looking for volunteers to help with our sessions and would be grateful for anyone willing to come along & help our evenings are Tuesday & Wednesdays. If you’re interested please contact: houstonbrowniesandguides@outlook.com

Houston Helicopter Park Project We are planning a host of fundraising activities over the next 12 - 18 months to generate funds to help us greatly improve the play experience for local children using the park by installing new playpark equipment.

Our next event will be an Easter Egg hunt in the newlynamed Helicopter Park by the Compass Centre on South Street on Sunday April 12th from 11.30am.

Attention all bakers, cooks and foodies!

Wednesday Conversation

February 2020

The Houston Playpark Improvement Group is creating a community cookbook of favourite family recipes we would like to see ‘preserved’ for the future.

Have you inherited a superb soup or a fantastic flan from a gran? Maybe created an original dish and want to see your tasty pastry published for posterity?

We have started compiling these culinary gems and will be publishing them later this year in a book to raise funds for improving the playpark in Houston’s Helicopter Park. Email them by March 1st to houstonplaypark@ gmail.com and please include a picture or drawing of your finished dish if you have one.

For more information on any of our events: https://m. facebook.com/Houstonplaypark We have also created a crowd-funding page at h t t p s : //w w w. j u s t g i v i n g . c o m /c r o w d f u n d i n g / houstonplayparkgroup

Litter

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.

H o u s t o n

I tend to studiously avoid issues of national politics in the pages of the Gryffe Advertizer as it rightly has a positive focus on local issues above all, but I have to break with tradition and place on record my concern that the Westminster Government has stated to COSLA that they will not set the Government budget until 11th March, which happens to be the last legal date on which Scottish local authorities, of all political persuasions, can set their budget. As we approach the annual budget meeting at Renfrewshire Council I think it is wholly unreasonable that the Chancellor of the Exchequer expects local Councillors like myself to take detailed budgetary decisions in the dark.

■ C r o s s l e e

After many years absence I am very glad to be back on the Clyde Muirshiel Joint Board, which oversees the jewels in the crown of Renfrewshire’s leisure assets, Castle Semple and Clydemuirshiel Regional Park.

My Group decided to alter some of the Board positions and when a vacancy arose for the Clydemuirshiel Board I was delighted to put my name forward. When my son was small my husband and I were frequently walking or attending events like the annual stargazing evening at the Park, and it is an educational and leisure amenity not just for Renfrewshire, but for the whole of the West of Scotland.

■ B r o o k f i e l d

I have decided to review my surgery times and have made the following changes. My monthly Brookfield surgery will still be in the Village Hall on the 2nd Thursday of the month but will now begin at 7pm rather than 6.30pm, and my Houston surgery will now be on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7.15pm rather than on the 4th Thursday of the month. 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

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Churches in Houston HOUSTON AND KILLELLAN KIRK: All Services will be led by the Rev.Gary Noonan unless otherwise stated. Sunday 2nd February early Communion 9.45am, Morning Worship 11am. Sunday 9th, 16th & 23rd February - Morning Worship 11am. 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; Mid-week 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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■ H o u s t o n

Houston & Crosslee SWI

Brookfield News

On February 12th we will meet in the Houston Inn at 7.30pm for a Gin and Fruit Cocktail Tasting evening.

We have another outing on 11th March when we will visit a Stain Glass Company.

DDP YOGA: Monday 6pm - 7pm DDP Yoga is a unique way of working out - it combines traditional yoga positions with cardio and strength training exercises to give you a full body workout whilst stretching and strengthening your muscles, allowing you to improve your mobility, flexibility and leaving you feeling energised and relaxed! All abilities welcome.

Bring a yoga mat & water bottle. For further information or to book a class, please contact Laura on 07474 443505 or email: energisewithlaura@gmail.com

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.

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NEW CLASSES:

ARTVENTURERS: Coming soon on a Wednesday morning!

(Please note - start date delayed from 22nd January owing to a family bereavement. Revised start date to be advised).

Squidge, Squish, Paint, Explore, Sing, Dance! Award winning colourful, creative (often messy!) art, craft and creative play sessions for babies, toddlers and children. The aim of all of the ARTventurers sessions is to nurture and develop a child’s creativity by providing them with the opportunities, guidance, inspiration and materials to explore, experiment and express themselves through a range of colourful art, creative and sensory activities PLUS all the activities and sessions for pre-school age children are carefully planned to support the Early Learning goals and in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Session times: Wednesday 9.30am - 10.20am: Baby ARTventurers (6 to 18 months) and their grown ups will get involved with paint, do some early mark making and create precious first masterpieces.

Houston and Killellan Kirk Carnival 2020 Carnival of the Animals Saturday 2nd May A change of date for this years Carnival, normally held on the second Saturday in May, it will be on the first Saturday 2nd May. For 2020 this school holiday was moved to accommodate V.E. Day celebrations and has been made longer (Wednesday – Monday).

Following discussion, it was felt that this may impact on footfall and volunteers as many families may take this opportunity to go away.

Carnival of the Animals is an opportunity for you to become your favourite animal for the day. Maybe a pet, wild animal, cartoon character or one of the feathered variety make Houston an animal kingdom.

Help is needed in every area, setting up and manning stalls, selling programmes, stewarding etc - If you can spare some time please contact: houstonkillellancarnival@gmail.com

Wednesday 11.30am - 12.30pm: Little ARTventurers (18 months to 4 years) are encouraged to further develop their skills and learning through lots of different creative and art based activities.

All classes include lots of fun singing & dancing and getting stuck in to sensory activities too! Rewards include developing skills & confidence, creating fabulous masterpieces and making lots of new friends!

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ARTventurers have scooped a number of major national awards including being name Best Preschool Activity 2017 & 2018 and Most Loved Academic/Creative Activity 2019 in What’s On 4 Kids Awards.

B r o o k f i e l d

Please contact Sarah on 07511 029830 or email: sarah@ artventurers.co.uk for further details or to book a class (classes must be booked in advance - places are limited) FOODBANK COLLECTION: Renfrewshire Foodbank was the nominated charity for our village Christmas Carol Service in December and a collection tin and basket were in the Village Hall throughout the month. A total of 132.48kg of food items were donated plus £1,29.17 in cash. Grateful thanks to all Hall users and residents who contributed - your kind donations were much appreciated!

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

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Acoustic Music Night With local musicians “Scowling Wolf” The River Inn on Sunday 2nd February 8pm - 10pm.

Special guest Houston singer guitarist Kyle Wilson If you are interested in playing contact Rab on 07415 119754.

Fairtrade Chocolicous Morning Tuesday 3rd March, 10.15am – 11.45am, Houston Primary School Indulge yourself in our Fairtrade event Fairtrade chocolate in many disguises

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

Extensive Fairtrade Hot Chocolate Menu – coconut, spiced, orange, peppermint, hazelnut, mocha, maple syrup and more made with Fairtrade chocolate stirrers of Fairtrade chocolate powder.

Fairtrade Tea or coffee if you must!

Chocolate cake and other chocolate goodies Willy Wonka would be jealous of what we have planned

Houston, Compass Centre. Tel: Gillian Peters - 07879 407574 or 01505 613759.

Come along and join us. Find out what Fairtrade products are available in our local shop and share some stories of the people who grow the cocoa beans and how Fairtrade helps them.

Linwood Masonic Hall. Tel: 07825 222944

Look forward to seeing you!

Brookfield, Village Hall. Tel: 335562 Houston, Carrick Centre. Tel: 690693 / 614039 / 674277

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

February 2020

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

Monday to Friday, Gryffe Manor Out of School 01505 615438 / equires@dancewestscotland.co.uk

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Coffee Shop: - Mon/Wed 9am - 4pm, Thurs 9am - 4.30pm, Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 9am – 3.30pm. Last hot food orders 1 hour before closing time. Coffee Shop/Centre 01505 229597

MONDAY

THURSDAY

Yoga (Weekly): 11am & 1pm Mary Laidlaw 01505 229112 Sewing Group (Weekly): 10am WRYF (10th & 17th): 7pm Houston Show (3rd): 7.30pm Handiwifes (17th): 7.30pm Diaporama (10th): 7.30pm

Gryffe Quilting Group: 1pm 3pm (10am - 20th) Primary Colours (Weekly): 3.30pm – 4.30pm Crafty Friends (6th& 20th): 7.30pm Folk Club (Weekly): 8pm davemellor@gmail.com 07523 129122 Move It Or Lose It (Weekly): 10.30am – 11.30am

TUESDAY Paint Pot Tots (Weekly): 10am Dawn Campbell 07789 262350 Yoga (Weekly): 7pm - M/s Lawson 01505 613690 Councillor Surgery (18th): 12noon - Allison Dowling

WEDNESDAY Gryffe Melody Makers : 7pm Community Council (20th): 7.30pm DWS (Weekly) MH: 3.30pm - 7pm - enquires@ dancewestscotland.co.uk (26th 5/7) DWS (Weekly) R2: 6pm - 7pm Camera Club (Weekly): 7.30pm Baby Class (MOO MUSIC) (Weekly): 10am Councillor Surgery (26th): 7.15pm - Audrey Doig

H o u s t o n

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FRIDAY Yoga (Weekly): 10.30am - M/s Lawson - 01505 613690 DWS (Weekly) MH: 3.15pm - 7pm DWS (Weekly) R2: 5pm - 7pm Gavin Newlands M.P. Surgery: 12.30pm – 1.30pm Carrick Nights: 7pm

C r o s s l e e

SATURDAY DWS (Weekly) MH: 9.45am 5pm DWS (Weekly) R2: 9am 1.30pm Councillors Surgery (1st): 11.30am – 12noon - Jim Sheridan

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SUNDAY Baptist Church (Weekly): 11am and 6pm Laura Birney B/Party (2nd): 2pm

B r o o k f i e l d

A Portable Defib Unit is available at the West Halls (Church) on Main Street Centre Patrons PLEASE ADVISE date or time changes due to Holidays to Centre Management Booking enquiries: Bill Haddow 01505 690693, Stewart Scally 01505674277, Barry Walker 01505 614039 Email : thecarrickcentre@gmail.com or hostbookings@outlook.com

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

Saturday 28th March at 8pm

Eilidh Grant and Band

Scottish soprano Alison McNeill and Iranian-Scottish classical guitarist Sasha Savaloni

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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Alison and Sasha have established themselves as the foremost voice and guitar duo in Scotland.

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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WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH ■ ■

Bridge of Weir Lace Group Fortnightly Tuesday mornings (10am - 12noon). If you’d like to try lacemaking we can provide materials & tuition. For further details phone (01505) 613967.

B B ii ss h h o o p p tt o o n n

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

Also for the diary - On another topic - the date of the next Festival Committee meeting and AGM will be Tuesday 11th February at 7.30pm in the Cargill Hall. Please come along and get involved as we need help especially with the Bridge of Weir Gala for this June.

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

Does God really exist? Even some prominent atheists describe it as “the biggest question of all!” The greatest challenge to belief is often thought to come from science. This series investigates whether 21st century science supports or removes the case for a creator. In the programmes, prominent atheists and theists take a scientific journey and debate the case for God.

Bridge of Weir SWI

If you want to find out more about the series, check out thegodquestion.tv Dates planned are Wednesday nights, 22nd and 29th January, 19th and 26th February, 18th and 25th March. From 7.30pm - 9pm in the Bridge Community Centre, Main Street, Bridge of Weir. You can still join in if you have missed the January dates.

This will take place on Thursday 6th February at 7.15pm for 7.30pm at Old Ranfurly Golf Club.

Joyce Benzie will be in attendance to give us her advice on finishing our knitted items.

LL a a n n g g b b a a n n k k

‘The God Question’ series in the Bridge starting 22nd January

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

Our February meeting will reflect our 80 years anniversary.

We will have a Knitting Bee with a wartime theme.

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St Machar’s Ranfurly Church

Join us for a 6 week course of the God Question series; each night a half hour video will be shown and subsequently discussed. This is open to atheists, theists and agnosts. The three main themes are the Cosmos, Life and Evolution and the Mind and Consciousness.

Participants guide to be purchased for £5 and a voluntary contribution towards the use of the Bridge community centre.

The Terrace

W W ee ii r r

Bridge of Weir Festival committee would like to thank all those involved with the Santa Sleigh this Christmas and making the season such a successful one. Santa and his Sleigh were out on 15 nights before Christmas and approximately 1,460 children came out to see him. The collections have helped to support the activities of Gryffe High World Challenge, BoW United, 2nd Houston Guides, Houston Scouts, Hope Hall, Kilmacolm Guides, Rotary Club of Gryffe Valley, 1st BoW Guides, 2nd BoW Guides, TARA, BoW Scouts, BBoW, and BoW Festival.

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

All welcome.

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

O O ff

Bridge of Weir Festival

Choral

BoW Senior Citizens Club

B B r r ii d d g g ee

Bishopton | Bridge of Weir | Langbank

Also Santa was able to make appearances at the CO-OP where he and his helpers were able to collect £196.27 for the CO-OP’s nominated mental health charities.

Bridge of Weir Society (Tuesdays)

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

This evening will be an opportunity to learn to knit for beginners, whilst regular knitters should bring some work with them.

We will also be having a silent auction on the evening, so please bring any items you wish to donate.

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Organised by St Machar’s Ranfurly Church but open to all. For more info contact Hanneke.Marshall@churchofscotland.org.uk The Terrace Lunch will be held on Friday January 31st and February 28th in St Machar’s Ranfurly Church hall at 12noon. Open to all, come a long for some nice food and a chat. £4 for home made soup, rolls, sandwiches, tea/coffee and biscuit. Carers and tots welcome too, high chairs available. Little ones go free.

The Link Seated Service on Friday 14th February at 2pm in the Session Room (use side entrance to hall) of St Machar’s Ranfurly Church. Short informal worship service with prayers, Bible reading and short reflection. This is open to all, especially suitable for those who find it hard to come to Sunday morning services for one reading or another. If transport is required please contact Rev Hanneke Marshall on 01505 612975 or Hanneke.Marshall@ churchofscotland.org.uk

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.

Bishopton Community Centre Gledstane Road, Bishopton PA7 5AU. Tel: 01505 863354 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 Toddlers: 1.15pm – 2.45pm Karate: 6.30pm – 7.30pm Bridge Club: 7pm – 10pm Yoga: 8pm – 9pm

THURSDAY Toddlers: 10am – 11.30am Dancing: 3.30pm – 9pm

FRIDAY Friday Funtime: 10am – 11.30am French: 2pm – 3pm Clyde Judo: 6pm – 8pm

SUNDAY Karate: 10.30am – 11.30am Kettlebells: 12noon – 1pm Model Bus Federation Meeting: (Once a month) 1pm – 4pm

Close Shave Chorus The award-winning a cappella harmony group, Close Shave Chorus is coming to Langbank Church, PA14 6XP on Sunday 16th February at 2.30pm.

They are bringing with them a programme packed with wellloved and well-known songs which they will present in their own unique barbershop way. Don’t miss this excellent collection of singers! Tickets are available at the door on the day costing just £5.

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February 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 I was very sorry to hear about the recent fire on Gledstane Road in Bishopton. I experienced first-hand on Election Day the problem of access due to parked cars on this road. Goodness knows the problems that the fire brigade might have had getting access during the day.

I will shortly be leafleting this and Poplar Avenue to try to resolve the parking problems. One reason that the fire burnt for so long however is down to the poor water pressure in the area. I have heard that Scottish Water have backed off the pressure to avoid burst pipes. This is a grave concern not just here but also if it exists elsewhere in Renfrewshire.

■ B i s h o p t o n

It can be very annoying to find that someone else is using your wheelie bin or contaminating your recycling bin. A simple way round this is to fit a bicycle lock but you need to remove it for the bin to be emptied. Talking of bins, I have just had a meeting with council officers to try to rectify some of the problem areas, mostly to do with missed bin collections.

The Council doesn’t do much litter picking these days and relies on the goodwill of the public, but with limited collections from your own black bin, you can place green bags of rubbish at the side of the road next to a litter bin. It is very frustrating when Cleansing empties the bin and leaves other rubbish next to the bin. A bag of litter collected in a black bag will be left but if you use a green bag then they will remove this. Council will supply volunteers with green bags, litter pickers, and other pieces of equipment.

This weather is affecting many roads and some temporary repairs have opened up. This was certainly the case with the large crater over the railway bridge in Bridge of Weir. Thankfully a number of people including myself had reported this but some cars were damaged. You can contact me if your car was one of these and you need to know when the hole was reported. I will shortly be submitting a list of roads and pavements that I want to see included in next year’s Capital Reads improvements.

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

Bishopton Art Group Annual Spring Art and Craft Fair Saturday 21st March from 10am and 3pm at Bishopton Community Centre, Gledstane Road, Bishopton Local amateur artists and crafts people showcase a great selection of art and craftwork at affordable prices that will make ideal gifts for that someone special. Visitors can vote for their favourite painting and win a gift voucher.

Bridge of Weir Community Council With Christmas and the New Year Festivities over the Community Council are still engaged in the ongoing festive theme.

During this period when the lights were on the Community Council in conjunction with the Primary School were running a competition to design a new light feature for the 2020 display. The children produced a substantial amount of quality entries which are now going through the extensive judging process with the winner being announced in due course.

■ B r i d g e

The Community Council is also grateful to Renfrewshire Council for their financial help.

The new Planning Convener and Secretary met with the Strategy & Place Manager, Communities Housing & Planning, Renfrewshire Council at the close of 2019. She hoped that they will continue to have a good working relationship with ourselves built up over the years with particular focus on the New Development Plan and public transport.

The Community Council has welcomed the work undertaken by Renfrewshire Council at the open space sight at the corner of Lintwhite Crescent and Main Street. This work was undertaken after Community Councillor’s held a site meeting with senior Officers from Renfrewshire Council’s Greenspace. These works show a big improvement to the area and we trust that it will continue to be kept like this.

O f W e i r

The first meeting of the Community Council for 2020 will be held on Tuesday 4th February at 7pm in the Cargill Hall.

The Bridge

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Spring is on the way. Get ahead – renew your stocks of stationary and be prepared for all the birthdays and celebrations expected in 2020.

POST OFFICE -The Post Office has a range of services available.

Donald, Stuart and Alison are always pleased to assist.

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

Admission to the Art and Craft fair is free. Tea, Coffee and delicious home baking will be available. The venue is a 5-minute walk from Bishopton railway station with ample free car parking.

GREETING CARDS - We are continually replenishing our stock to cover life’s events. For those special milestone birthdays our range of cards covers from ages 1 to 10 and 18 to 100. The Bridge also has a selection of Valentine cards.

Your Ward 11 Councillors

ART EXHIBITIONS - We host Art Exhibitions, on a regular basis, throughout the year. Please come in and view the artwork on display.

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

Community Council Visitors welcome at monthly meetings BISHOPTON: Primary School: 1st Thursday at 7.30pm www.bishoptoncouncil.com

COMMUNITY CENTRE- Please remember The Bridge is a central point in the village where you can meet others, have a tea or coffee and enjoy a chat with our volunteers. It is a bright, warm, welcoming place where hopefully you will feel at home. We look forward to seeing you soon.

L a n g b a n k

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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 k ii ll m m a a cc o o ll m m

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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

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Kilmacolm | Quarriers Kilmacolm Dramatic Society Professional director Alison Holliman faced a difficult task in casting Kilmacolm Dramatic Society’s next production, thanks to the large number of interested people who auditioned for parts.

Judging by the amount of laughter at the audition, our chosen play looks sure to provide an excellent evening’s entertainment.

Wednesday Knitting Group

It’s Alan Bennett’s Habeas Corpus, a farcical comedy of ill manners set in the 1960s. It features classic farce fare of dropped trousers, mismanaged lust and a veritable merry-goround of mistaken identities, all in the home of the apparently respectable Wicksteed family.

Babies, Bumps and Boobs

There will be three performances in the Kidston Hall - on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 22nd - 24th April.

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

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.

Sòlas Bereavement Support Group Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. 2nd Thursday in the month.

Movie Night

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

Saturday Volunteer Group

With all the roles cast, rehearsals are now in full swing, with the enthusiastic cast including both well known and new faces.

If you’re interested in being involved backstage, we’re always delighted to welcome new members - to help with costumes, make-up, lighting, set design and building, stage management, or publicity. If you’d like to know more about our activities, just contact President Claire Fraser on claire.fraser@scotech.ltd.uk or Rosie Thirde on rosiethirde33@gmail.com

Daffodil Spring Fayre SAVE THE DATE Kilmacolm Girl Guides would love you to save the date for their Daffodil Spring Fayre on Saturday the 21st March. It will take place at St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm from 2pm - 4pm.

There will be crafts, tombola, Easter eggs, home baking, Mother’s Day gifts and much more. Afternoon tea is included in the price.

Adults £3 and children £1.50.

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

Newcomers always welcome.

MND Coffee Morning

Guide Hut to Hire

Saturday 7th March 10am - 12noon.

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: guidehutbookings@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.

2nd Floor New Community Centre, Kilmacolm.

Tickets £3.

It is widely recognised by those who know more about these matters than me that Kilmacolm has one of the best village centres and civic space. This praise is due to the foresight of Jim Wood who unfortunately passed away last month. His ideas and concept for the village centre caught the imagination of others. Helen and Alex Calvert and Rosemary Hammond spring to mind. Jim badgered architects, town planners, the council, civic trust, community council and councillors (messrs Fyfe, McCabe and myself).

The plan was to refurbish the two elderly and redundant primary schools and have a village piazza. Messrs Sandy Fyfe and Graham Peacock, trustees of the Cargill fund came up with £1m and Councillor Stephen McCabe and I were charged with obtaining a further £1m from the Council.

The community centre has been an overwhelming success with between 2 and 3 thousand users per month. We will always be indebted to Jim Wood and his vision.

The comprehensive consultation on a site for extra long term parking in the village, eliminated the suggestion of a multi storey car park in the area at the Cargill. This left a close result between a site in Gillburn Road and the area behind the old Police Station. Officers will further investigate costs and feasibility of both and will report in due course to the Environment and Regeneration Committee, of which I am not a member.

A consultation has been held with regard to village schools in Kilmacolm, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay. There was no desire by parents of the three primaries to have a denominational school in any of the villages. Nobody attended the public meetings for Kilmacolm Primary and St Stephens.

Parents in the village are obviously happy with the excellent education available at KPS and make a denominational choice at P7.

The prepared plots at Leperstone Avenue were originally designated for people from outside Inverclyde. I disagreed at the time with this stricture and was even more annoyed when the ground works made life intolerable for neighbours beside the building site. We sold one plot and now have decided to make the remainder available to Inverclyde folk who wish to build their own house.

Long overdue.

My surgeries are 12th February Cargill centre 10am - 11am, 22nd February St Mary’s Episcopal Port Glasgow.

I can be contacted at: david.wilson@inverclyde. gov.uk 07766 992294 , 01474 741969 and 712975.

Churches in Kilmacolm & Quarriers KILMACOLM OLD KIRK: Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk. Morning worship: Sundays at 11am. Sòlas Drop-in Bereavement Group is held in Kidston Hall on the 2nd Thursday each month at 2pm. Outlook on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 2pm. 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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February 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 On the 16th of January 2020 the Environment & Regeneration Committee of Inverclyde Council considered the results of the Kilmacolm Parking Consultation, with officers recommending progressing two options at Gilburn Road and behind the Old Police Station. I am concerned about the encroachment of development into Greenbelt land and asked officers to see if there is merit in utilising the former railway ground adjacent to the identified site to provide a car park and this could also be used as a bus turn around and tie into the National Cycle Route.

Grace Church Kilmacolm

Thank you to the constituents who contacted me relating to public transport provision in Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village. I am keen to see how we can improve commuting by public transport. It will, however, be difficult to get people to ‘move’ from cars to buses given the high levels of car ownership and the current minimal bus service.

Tuesday 18th February – Jim Melville, “Dementia Awareness”

I have noted with interest the proposals for a new city region metro with the first stage being a possible link between Glasgow Airport and Gilmour Street Station, in Paisley. I think we need to be open to the idea of it extending any metro from Gilmour Street to join the old Gryffe railway line so reinstating a rail line between Kilmacolm and Glasgow Central.

I have recently organised my surgery dates up to June 2020 with further details available on the Inverclyde website. In February my surgeries will be on the 19th February at Kilmacolm Community Centre (7pm to 8pm) and on the 26th February at Boglestone Community Centre. You can also contact me directly to discuss any matters by telephone on 07768 460073/01475 712370, by email to: christopher.curley@inverclyde.gov.uk or by messaging me via my Facebook page (@Ward1chriscurleySNP)

Invitation to Ladies’ Fellowship February meetings, alternate Tuesdays at 2.15pm in the Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, Kilmacolm, PA13 4QF

■ k i l m a c o l m

Tuesday 4th February – Linda Fox, “Boldly Go”

All ladies welcome

Quarriers Scouts Has Spaces!

Get in touch with your inner Bear Grylls! Quarriers 45th Scout group is welcoming new members across the whole range of ages for learning and adventure.

From Beavers to Scouts, fun and skills for life are at the heart of the group with regular camps and outdoor activities mixed with games and learning.

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The traditional movement has come a long way since it began, but making friends and gaining confidence is still at its heart.

All sections meet on a Wednesday evening at Sommerville Hall in Quarriers Village and all are welcome.

So if you fancy learning a new skill, gaining badges, making new friends and seeing some of the country’s most beautiful places, join us and start an exciting journey.

Beaver scouts, for ages 6 to 8, meet at 6pm until 7pm.

Old Kirk News

Cubs, for ages, 8 to 10 and a half, meet from 7pm until 8.30pm

‘OUTLOOK’ is a social community group, formulated for friendship and fellowship. It is led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk. The group meets in Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. Everyone is most welcome.

For more information contact qvscouts@gmail.com

Programme for February 6th February

Words and music – a special Quiz - Devised by Eileen Green

20th February

Tales of mystery and Intrigue - With author & storyteller Jim Dunlop

MOVIE NIGHT 27th February

Mama Mia – Here I Go Again - 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.

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.

For full details of the programme see the What’s On section and also in flyers posted around the village.

SOCIAL MEDIA In addition to the website - kilmacolmoldkirk.org. uk, you can follow the Old Kirk on Facebook at Kilmacolm Old Kirk@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/

Scouts, for ages, 10 and a half to 14, meet from 7pm until 8.30pm

World Day of Prayer Local Service

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Friday 6th March at 1.30pm St. Columba Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm Service written by the Christian Women of ZIMBABWE ‘Rise, Take up your Mat and Walk!’

The WDP group of representatives from the local Churches warmly invite you to share worship and fellowship with people around the world for the World Day of Prayer.

We are delighted that the children from Kilmacolm Primary School are coming again to sing for us. Refreshments after the Service.

Everyone welcome! If you want to know more about the event, please give me a call. Maureen Russell, Convenor (telephone 872905; mob. 07905-950028)

Family Whist Drive Kilmacolm Industrial Section of Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society are holding a Family Whist Drive In Kilmacolm Community Centre at 7.30pm on Friday 21st February. Come along and have a fun night out!

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

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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.

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.

Knitting Bee We now meet at Morrisons alternative Tuesday evening form 7pm to 9pm. Contact Pamela on 07743156738 or email bknitting@hotmail.co.uk for further details.

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.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Kilbarchan | Howwood | Lochwinnoch | Elderslie Kilbarchan Show Whist Drive The Kilbarchan Show Agricultural Show Committee invite you along to their Annual Whist Drive on Friday 7th February from 7.30pm to 10am at the Guide Centre, Kilbarchan.

The event will be catered - with a brilliant spread of sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes and tea & coffee. So bring along your friends, mother, father, partner and granny & co and grab a seat, and have a good old natter.

Cuppa at the Kirk Continues from 1.30pm 3pm every first Monday of the month - 3rd February in Kilbarchan Parish Church Halls.

All welcome.

Lochwinnoch SWI Next meeting: Wednesday 19th February at 7.30pm in the McKillop Hall. This month it is a “Taste and Try”. Where some members will have cooked their favourite dishes of savoury and sweet for members to taste and try.

Recipes will be available. We look forward to welcoming members and friends For further info contact Elma at: richmond32@tiscali.co.uk or 843193.

Howwood Women’s Institute Meetings in Howwood Village Hall at 7.30pm Tuesday 18th February Cuts of Meat by Ian Telfer We are still having our Fun Competition Something beginning with:- Feb J. We also have our Sales Table this month.

Anyone wanting to come along to join our meetings is very welcome.

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 7- 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.

Kilbarchan National Women’s Register On Wednesday 26th February, NWR celebrates its Diamond Anniversary – this is the date in 1960 when the Guardian published a letter from a young Mum, Maureen Nicol, suggesting that a register be set up nationwide for young mums to meet likeminded friends and talk about issues not concerning their children.

Originally known as the Housewives Register, a group has existed in Kilbarchan for over 50 years and , along with the other groups in the area, will be celebrating with an Anniversary lunch in number 29, Royal Exchange Square Glasgow. There will be almost 100 women attending, with a speaker and a live video link about 2pm with each group in Britain. Each group throughout the country has compiled 2 ”Diamond” pages about their groups and what NWR has meant and still means to them. These are to be archived in a library in London with local pages on view at the Diamond lunch.

The Kilbarchan group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays in each other’s homes and occasionally in an afternoon and also we arrange cinema visits, especially for “live” performances for those who wish to go along. During February, we have 2 meetings - the first on the topic “Bridges” and secondly discuss rituals of birth, marriage and death in other faiths and countries. For further information, see the website: www.nwr.org.uk or phone 01505 348627.

Churches in Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH: Services continue at 11am each Sunday, conducted

by Rev Stephen Smith and Mrs Dorothy Wallace. The crèche and Junior Church meet in the halls from 10.45am. Refreshments served in the hall after the service.

On Sunday 23rd, the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed at 11am in the church and 2pm in the small hall. Short service on Wednesday mornings in the small hall with coffee at 10.30am, followed by service of worship. 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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February 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 At the Communities, Housing & Planning Board meeting in January, a paper was put forward for consideration and approval by the Board, namely – Renfrewshire Food Growing Strategy 2020 – 2025. It sets out a framework to assist in increasing the quantity and quality of growing opportunities available in Renfrewshire, supporting delivery of objectives set out in the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan and Council Plan 2017 – 2022. The food growing strategy will encourage people to grow produce by utilising existing allotments and hopefully providing additional spaces for setting up new allotments.

I, personally, think this is a project well worth supporting, and if taken up would not only provide home grown produce at far more cost effective prices, but would also bring communities together for the common good. Encouraging children to participate would be an added bonus.

I did put forward an added suggestion. On many housing developments, especially Council and Housing Association sites, there are so many properties with large gardens which are never used to grow anything except lawns! My suggestion is to organise garden groups to make use of these spaces to plan food growing and planning rota’s. I could expand further on my idea but I think you will get the drift. If you support this idea please feel free to contact me and show your support.

Promises have been made by the Department of Environment & Infrastructure in response to my letter detailing a list of issues highlighted by Howwood Community Council at their December meeting.

1.

Resurfacing of Bowfield Road in 2020/2021 programme of works.

2. Gullies on the north side of Bowfield Road are programmed for cleaning and emptying.

3. Refreshment of the road markings in Bowfield Road from the southern end of the village to the entrance of Bowfield Country Club.

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k i l b a r c h a n

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4. A contract to repair variable message signs, such as the 30 mph sign in Bowfield Road, has been issued.

L o c h w i n n o c h

5. An inspector will visit these locations to arrange necessary repairs.

6. A complaint about dog fouling in the grounds of the Barcraigs Reservoir is not the responsibility of Renfrewshire Council. It is Scottish Water that needs to be notified. The address is:https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/en/Help-and-Resources/ Contact-Us/How-to-Contact-Us A meeting is scheduled for the middle of January to formulate a new Lochwinnoch Community Council. It is hoped that 21 people will be signed up. After a prolonged absence of meetings it will be good for this lively and active village to see them in action again.

Email: cllr.bill.binks@renfrewshire.gov.uk Tel: 0300 300 1423 Week Week Week Week

1 Tuesday Lochwinnoch McKillop institute 6pm/7pm.

2 Tuesday Howwood Village Hall 6pm/7pm.

3 Wednesday Johnstone Sandyflats Hub 6pm/7pm.

4 Wednesday Kilbarchan Steeple Hall 6pm/7pm.

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St Valentine’s Tea Dance Friday 14th February 2pm, Lochwinnoch Golf Club

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Donations and Raffle. Contact Glynis 01505 842419 for booking details.

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 Howwood Community Council There always seems to be issues throughout the county regarding the condition maintenance of roads.

At January’s meeting of Howwood Community Council it was noted that, thanks to the concerted joint efforts of both the Community Council and our elected Councillors, Renfrewshire Council have informed us of a few points.

The resurfacing of the carriageway of Bowfield Road between Braeburn and the access road to East Muirdykes has been included in the programme of works for 2020/2021.

Also, the gullies to the north west side of Bowfield Road have been programmed for cleaning and emptying.

The centre carriageway markings along the length of Bowfield Road from the southern edge of the village to the entrance of Bowfield Country Club will be refreshed.

A contract to maintain and repair variable message signs throughout Renfrewshire, including in Howwood, is in the process of being issued.

Transerve have issued a list on their website of all the trunk roads in Renfrewshire that are due for resurfacing.

As part of an overall waste review within Renfrewshire, there will be a survey of the brown bins collection. This meeting will take place in Renfrewshire Council headquarters on 11th of March. If you have any concerns regarding this, please contact Renfrewshire Council directly or any of our local elected Councillors before then.

The Community Council have been in contact with our MSP, Tom Arthur, regarding the bus services through Howwood. This is an issue that all agree needs reviewed as the service currently has large gaps, has a lack of service in parts and is out of sync with the rail timetable, ie. if you miss a bus or it has been delayed it is difficult to catch a train for an hour as they are both timed to arrive at about the same time.

The Police have asked that any instances of quad bikes in the area be reported to them. These bikes are generally unlicensed and the riders are not wearing crash helmets, being a danger to both themselves, other road users and pedestrians.

Howwood Litter Pick will take place on Saturday 28th of March.

Our village is looking a lot better these days with litter mostly found on the outskirts but there is still a fair bit to do.

If you can manage, please come along to the Howwood Hall car park at 10am. One day you should do it! Quite often now we can finish by lunchtime. Accompanied children are very welcome. All litter pickers, bags and gloves will be provided.

The Old Library Centre The first phase of work will be starting on the roof on 27th January and will last for 3 days. The large Community Room upstairs will be out of use during this time, so classes are cancelled on 27th, 28th and 29th January. Facilities downstairs will continue as normal, so still come in for any computer use, printing and photocopying.

A new advanced Tai Chi course will be starting on the 25th February for 4 weeks. Cost will be £25. We are also seeing if anyone is interested in the beginners course and if there are enough numbers we will run another beginners. If you are interested in any of these then please contact the Old Library Centre on 01505 706070 or email kipcokil@hotmail.com We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a fabulous musical evening “SONGS FROM THE SHOWS” with Doh Rae Me on Saturday 15th February. Tickets are a donation of £10 and BYOB. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 pm start. Contact the Old Library if you want tickets on 01505 706070 or pop in. Please don’t delay as we are expecting this to be a sell out.

The Old Library Centre is a registered charity and is run by volunteers. Address: 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan. PA10 2EF. Tel: 01505 706070. Email: kipcokil@hotmail.com. Charity Ref no: SCO31251.

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Local Heroes!

Following a number of vehicle thefts in Kilbarchan during 2019, I contacted Renfrewshire Council requesting that mobile CCTV be located at Kilbarchan Cross.

Unfortunately the technical assessment that was carried out, ruled that due to the listed building status of some of the surrounding properties and the limitations of the equipment, this site was not considered suitable. I have asked that alternative sites be considered. I have also raised the issue with Police Scotland locally regarding police presence in the village.

Nothing could better illustrate the need for improved public transport in our rural villages, than my experience of travelling around ward 9 during the festive period and early weeks of the new year, reliant on reduced bus and replacement train services,.

One stark example of the failure to have any integrated planning, is the fact that both the Sunday hourly train and bus services, and weekday night time bus and train services to Johnstone from Howwood leave the village at exactly the same time.

I am optimistic that the Transport Scotland Bill which received Royal Assent on the 15th November, will provide the opportunity for much needed improvement giving as it does, power to local authorities, if they so wish, to run bus services in their area. All political parties on Renfrewshire Council have backed the call for re-regulation, and I will be making representation to the council to make full use of the provisions within the Bill to improve bus services.

As always funding to local councils to enable them to run bus services will be the major factor in determining what is provided, and it is incumbent on the Scottish Government to acknowledge this in future council budget settlements.

Other aspects of the Transport Bill that will be welcomed, include the prohibiting of parking on pavements and double parking, while the option for councils to charge people to park at work is less welcome.

The decision in December by the Scottish Government to end the Abellio Scotrail contract in 2022 to run train services, will provide for consideration a number of options, including the opportunity for a public sector bid, which would help improve rural train services. All in all in terms of public transport the future potentially looks brighter.

The 2020 /21 resurfacing programme for roads and pavements is currently being compiled by Renfrewshire Council Officers.

I would welcome suggestions and recommendations on roads and pavement priorities from Kilbarchan Howwood and Lochwinnoch residents via the contact details below.

My surgeries are on the first Saturday of the month at 9am in the McKillop Institute, 10am in Howwood Village Hall, 11am in the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan, and 12.30pm in Johnstone Town Hall. Meantime please contact me anytime at: cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov. uk or phone 0300 300 1274 or 07534 156007.

Kilbarchan Messy Church

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club

Our next Messy Church is on Saturday 15th February in the Church Halls, Steeple Square.

Continues every Monday from 9.15am - 11.30am in the hall, off Steeple Square.

The club will remain open on Monday 10th, when the school and nursery will be closed. The cost is £1 per adult. All tots from birth-3 years are most welcome, along with an accompanying adult.

We begin around 4pm and finish by 6pm. Our theme for February is ‘Listening and Learning.’

Come along and join in the fun, but do remember that all children must have an adult with them. There will be crafts, games, story and song. At the end we sit down to enjoy time together while sharing a meal.

Knitting Bee We meet at the Lynnhurst Hotel on Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm.

For more information contact Fay: 07780 748430.

Is there someone in your community who goes above and beyond? 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.

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!

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February 2020

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

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Calling all bakers?

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6th - 29th March 6TH - 13TH MARCH Photography Exhibition Library hours free

FRIDAY 13TH Fusioneers Bowling club 7.30pm £8/£6

MONDAY 23RD Local Writers and Brian Whittingham the Tannahill Makar of Renfrewshire Library 2.15pm Donation

Sing for St Vincents

Calder Church 7.30pm Donation in the Shop with Kirstin Innes TUESDAY 24TH and Outi Smith ReMode, 39 High Street £8/£6 BYOB Gilbert & Sullivan and

Songs and Stories

SATURDAY 14TH

Laura Telford Exhibition Golf Club 12 to 5pm free

Hesu and Zuba Golf Club 7.30pm £8/£6

Ragin’ Twilight Three Churches 9pm free

WEDNESDAY 18TH Opening of Art Exhibition Library 7pm By invitation

THURSDAY 19TH Christine Bovill Paris Show McKillop 7.30pm £10/£8

FRIDAY 20TH - FRIDAY 27TH Art Exhibition Library hours free

FRIDAY 20TH Moira Monologues McKillop 7.30pm £10/£8

Calder Church Production Calder Church Donation

Billy Hampson Corner Bar 9pm free

John Hinshelwood Band Brown Bull 9pm free

SATURDAY 21ST All day Craft Fair McKillop 11am to 4pm free

Travelling Gallery McKillop 10am to 4pm free

Rose Room & John Goldie McKillop 7.30pm £10/£8

Sean Middleton Corner Bar 9pm free

SUNDAY 22ND

Operetta Night Parish Church 7.30pm £8/£6

WEDNESDAY 25TH Glasgow Theatre Guild Parish Church 7.30pm £8/£6

THURSDAY 26TH Witches’ Brew at ROAR

It’s back, it’s a wee bit bigger and this time it’s fruity!

Have you got what it takes to be a world champion?

Why not enter the third Scone-noisseur of the World Contest?

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Prizes for best home, professional and under 16 bakers and best presentation Entry £10; £5 for students and under 16s

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For more information and an entry form please contact: David Bain, worldsconemaking@gmail.com for details In collaboration with members of Lochwinnoch SWI

McKillop 1pm free

Drama The West Island Way McKillop 7.30pm £7/£5

FRIDAY 27TH Village Live Night Lochbarr 7.30pm free

Drama The West Island Way

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McKillop 7.30pm £7/£5

SATURDAY 28TH All day Authors Diarmid MacArthur McKillop 10.30am - 11.30am £6/£4 Corinne Hutton, Peter Aitchison, Louise Turner, Rowena Murray, Vanessa Collingridge, George Walker, Jack Hastie, McNicol and Jackson & Betty McKellar A chance to meet our local authors at this event.

McKillop 11.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 2.30pm free Melanie Reid McKillop 12.30pm - 1.30pm £6/£4 Rock and Roll McKillop 7.30pm £10/£8

SUNDAY 29TH Scone Day McKillop 11am to 5pm WorldSconeMaking@gmail. com

Largs Gaelic Choir, Come and Try Pottery Lochwinnoch Bop Choir and Renfrewshire Community McKillop 10am to 4pm £5 Fiddle Workshop Gospel Choir Parish Church £8/£6

Sunday 29th March McKillop Hall, Main Street, Lochwinnoch

McKillop 10am to 12noon £5

Accordion Workshop McKillop 1.30pm - 3.30pm £5

Janey Godley McKillop 7.30pm £15 All tickets available on 31st January fromThe Junction Café and Now and Then. Online tickets only for Christine Bovill, The Rose Room, Alan Bissett, Rock Night and Janey Godley (50 tickets for each of these show in local ticket outlets) online www. lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk or online at Box office Paisley Art Centre 0300 300 1210 Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm

L o c h w i n n o c h

It was with incredulity and not a little anger that I saw media reports recently in the Johnstone Gazette of the new Metro Tram link from Paisley to Glasgow Airport which suddenly included Renfrew as a last minute addition in this City Deal scheme. Yet the Glasgow City Deal Cabinet, which decides which projects are either approved or rejected, explicitly rejected the inclusion of an A737 upgrade for Johnstone in May 2018 following a formal request from Renfrewshire Council’s Leadership Board.

My constituents across villages like Howwood, Kilbarchan, and Lochwinnoch, which straddle the increasingly congested A737 want some answers and I am totally behind them 100%. Apparently once City Deal projects are agreed they are set in stone and cannot be changed or amended, that was the rationale on which my attempt to get the City Deal Cabinet to include an A737 upgrade last year was rejected, and that was the view of the Glasgow City Deal Cabinet in 2018.

I want the Glasgow City Deal Cabinet to tell me why Renfrew was included in a decisive change to a project whilst Johnstone was rejected and to begin to treat my constituents with some respect.

I also want to know when was this decided as this has not been sanctioned by Renfrewshire Council’s Leadership Board. Well done to the people of Renfrew but the whole point of the City Deal was it was meant to work for all of Renfrewshire, not just the City Deal golden triangle between Paisley, Renfrew, and Glasgow Airport.

Regular readers on my column will understand that I have long been concerned about the whole of West Renfrewshire being left behind economically by Paisley – based administrations of various political hues, sadly this recent proposal with the Metro Tram Link does nothing to allay my fears.

My advice surgery in Kilbarchan is on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in the Steeple Hall at 7.30pm, and my advice surgery in 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

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Next deadline Kai Connolly

Wednesday 12th February

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

YOGA Energise with Laura

Brookfield Village Hall, Mondays at 6pm – 7pm Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir, Wednesdays at 10am – 11am The Carrick Centre, Houston, Thursdays at 7pm – 8pm Come and join us for a new type of Yoga.

Workout stretches and strengthens every muscle in your body, improving flexibility, durability and overall energy. First class £5.

All abilities welcome.

To book contact: energisewithlaura@ gmail.com, Tel: 07474 443505, facebook@ energisewithlaura or instagram

Kilmacolm Bowling Club The Annual General Meeting of Kilmacolm Bowling Club will be held on Tuesday 25th February 2020 at 7.30pm prompt.

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

Social Prescription Vouchers

Call 07951 365166 for details.

Step Class

Clyde Judo Club

Move it or Lose it! Classes are now available on Social Prescription.

Look out for your free voucher at your local Library, Post Office, Hairdressers or Coffee Shop. The voucher will entitle you to a free class. If you are interested in joining and don’t have a voucher then call Fiona 07811 766672. We have classes throughout Renfrewshire and Inverclyde and would love to meet you!

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

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.

Festive Fun At Strathgryffe Mulled Wine Tournament Strathgryffe Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club recently held its annual Mulled Wine Tennis Tournament. The event with over 30 players in attendance had players playing timed doubles matches with a combination of mixed doubles, men’s doubles and ladies doubles. There was of course plenty of time for some festive pies and the odd tipple in between the matches!

In a tightly contested event, there were joint ladies winners in Barbara Reid and Rebecca Cox, and in the men’s competition Cole Watson edged out Derek Shaw by a game to take the title.

If you would like to try the facilities at Strathgryffe there are free passes available upon request, as well as taster session evenings in the coming weeks. For further information, call 01505 615100 or email info@strathgryffe.net.

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 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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February 2020

Kilmacolm Golf Club The winter weather is not putting off Renfrewshire Girls as they continue their winter training programme this month. The next session is scheduled to be held at Kilmacolm Golf Club on Sunday 23rd February, 10.30am to 12.30pm, and is open to all young female golfers in the county. This next session will focus on putting, and hopefully weather permitting, there will be the opportunity to get out on the course too.

If improving your game was one of your new year resolutions, our Driving Range is one of the finest in the area, suitable for beginners and long hitters! There’s also a short game area to practice your chipping and bunker shots.

Howwood Curling Club

For those who prefer to stay cosy indoors and watch a good movie, our monthly film night continues in February with a showing of Judy, on Wednesday 12th at 7.30pm. Why not make a night of it and have supper at the club.

We’ll also be showing all of Scotland’s six nations rugby matches on the big screen with complimentary Blackwood’s meat pies, starting with Ireland vs Scotland on February 1st at 4.45pm, so come along with a member and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

We also have some exciting offers for both new and existing members where you can also play a selection of Ayrshire links courses. For more details, visit our website or contact Rene Kleyweg on 07582581229.

This month will see us say goodbye to our resident Professional, Iain Nicholson. After 20 years of service, Iain is off to explore pastures new and everyone at the Club would like to thank him for his expertise and support over the years. Iain has been instrumental in widening participation by taking golf into schools and through the ‘Get Into Golf’ taster sessions over the past few years. As a result, many new people have come to love this game. Our new Professional, Stuart Roberts, will be joining us early March and we will be announcing exciting new programmes to build on those established by Iain and his team.

Keep up to speed with the latest news and events - follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KilmacolmGolf/

Gryffe Valley 10K - Entries Open The 2020 Gryffe Valley Rotary 10K Run will take place on Sunday 17th May. The club is delighted that ARNOLD CLARK will support the event and funds raised by sponsored runners will be donated to ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND – Scotland’s dementia charity. Entries are now open.

The club are especially keen to encourage teams of sponsored runners from villages and clubs. Perhaps there could be a team from each village in the Gryffe area this year? Register at https://entries.runabc. co.uk/e/rotary-club-of-gryffe-valley-10k-980 .

“Get Inspired” - Come & Try curling on 4th March You’ve seen it being played at on the TV. You can now Come & Try it yourself. Howwood Curling Club are always looking for new members to join our friendly curling club which meets at Greenacres, near Howwood. It is a great way to keep fit and socialise with people in a friendly atmosphere. Current club members come from Renfrewshire, Glasgow and North Ayrshire. We are now looking for new players to play for the 2020/21 season.

We have organised a Come & Try session on Wednesday 4th March at 8.30pm at Greenacres Curling Club. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come along and try out curling. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or ability. We will provide a qualified coach to give you the tuition you need to try out curling. You will also meet with our club members and get to play. If you continue to be interested following the Come & Try, we will invite you to our closing bonspiel for the 2019/20 season on the 1st April.

All the equipment you need will be provided. The cost on the night for ice is £6pp.

Please contact Lachie Carmichael if you wish to attend: Email: lachiedcarmichael@hotmail.com or phone: 01294 823643

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Wednesday 12th February

Houston United 2010’s. Medal Ceremony Day.

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Ranfurly Castle Golf The Club has started 2020 with one or two social Golf events despite the very poor weather. The Shotgun Trophy was the first silverware of 2020, being played on 2nd January and it was won

by Brian Glover and partner Martin McGoldrick. The teams had to battle terrible weather but the pie, beans and chips at the end made it worth the effort!

On 3rd January a large group of Ladies met for Breakfast, a catch up and some golf. Luckily the weather was dry and 4 teams of 3 ventured out for the first golf of 2020, a good way to get rid of some of the excesses of the holiday period!

Houston United 2010’s recently celebrated their end of season medal ceremony for their 2019 season. The fun filled day held in the function room at the RIVER INN RESTAURANT brought together over 150 people connected with the team, including players, coaches, parents and the teams very own proud sponsor ALVIC SLIDING WARDROBES. The day kicked off with a magic show for the Players and their siblings, followed by a buffet lunch. Medals were handed out with team photos following. The day was finished off with fun activities including a design your own strip competition and a create a new training drill competition. A raffle held by some parents also raised over £450 for the team. Huge thank you to all involved.

Last season saw the team grow to 34 players and 10 coaches.

All of whom give up their Wednesday and Friday evenings to attend training.

They also attend weekend matches.

An amazing commitment from players. parents and coaches alike.

Last season’s team success was Alfie accompanied by the Thompson fantastic news that signed pro our very own Alfie youth with Thompson signed St Mirren pro youth with St Mirren. He will be greatly missed but his team and the club wish him all the best on his new adventure. Good luck Alfie.

If you have a boy or girl at any age who is interested in football please check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ houstonunitedfc/ or Webpage https://www.houstonunitedfc.com/ for contact details.

Sunday 12th January was the Captains Drive In and, this year, the Club has welcomed the first ever Lady Captain of the Club. Mrs Eunice Muir received a very warm welcome from the gathered membership when past Captain David Stewart presented her with the Captain’s Badge of Office.

Eunice said what an honour it was for her to accept this office before introducing her Vice Captain Mr Brian McLaughlin.

Following this ceremony the gathered members then witnessed Mrs Jan Macnab, Ladies Captain, join Eunice with a ceremonial drive up the first fairway, followed by Brian. All drives were very respectable despite the pressure they were under from the crowd!

28 members then played in the Captains ‘Drive In’ Quaich over 9 holes. Conditions were amazing with clear blue skies and no rain - quite unexpected after the gales and almost 36 hours of rain we had just endured. The score line was very close but the winner, with 24 stableford points, was Joy McLeod.

The Club Burns supper will take place on Sat 8th February. This is always a very popular evening and this year features Ross McLelland from Paisley Burns Club delivering the Immortal Memory. The club’s own Alan Gordon will also be performing one of Burns well know poems, a performance not to be missed.

The Ladies Section will be holding the Annual Bridge afternoon on Wed 26th February. Anyone wishing to book a table will be very welcome and should contact Vicky Rennie at bertrennie@ btinternet.com.

FUNDRAISING?

Want to get the word out about fundraising or appeals?

We can help! info@advertizer.co.uk 01505 613340

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 NEws

February 2020

Could You Be A Puppy Parent Trainer?

Trouble in the Litter Tray (Part 2)

Newly recruited Puppy Trainer, Jill Stewart, is looking for puppy parents in Scotland to provide the charity Canine Partners puppies with the love, care and skills they need to get ready for the next stage of their training.

Last month we looked at predisposing factors and causes of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), a condition causing inflammation of the bladder and lower urinary tract in cats.

“Puppy parents play such a highly important and vital role in the journey of our amazing dogs becoming Canine Partners assistance dogs,” says Jill, Scotland Satellite Coordinator for Canine Partners.

“It is an extremely rewarding opportunity as you know you are doing something to help change someone’s life and that you have played an important part in that journey.”

Canine Partners trains amazing assistance dogs to transform the lives of people with disabilities, boosting their confidence and independence.

The dogs are taught a range of everyday tasks including picking up and fetching items, opening doors and dressing a person. They can even help to load and unload a washing machine and they can fetch help in an emergency.

Puppies-in-training live in the volunteer’s home from around eightweeks-old until they are ready to start advanced training when they are between 12 and 14 months, at the Southern Training Centre near Midhurst or the Midlands Training Centre in Leicestershire.

To become a puppy parent in one of Canine Partners’ 13 puppy satellites across the UK including Scotland, you need to be aged 18 or over, work less than full-time and be willing to make a long term commitment of at least 14 months.

To find out more about becoming a puppy parent for Canine Partners, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/puppy-parents/, call 08456 580 480 or email puppyoffice@caninepartners.org.uk

In cases of FLUTD it is important to investigate the underlying cause of the condition so that appropriate treatment can be instituted.

Possible diagnostic tests include: • Urine sample to check for blood, inflammatory cells, protein levels, pH (acidity) and concentration. Urine sediment can also be checked under the microscope for the presence of urinary crystals.

• Urine culture to check for the presence of bacteria.

• X-rays to check for bladder stones.

• Ultrasound to check for bladder stones and to examine the lining of the bladder for masses.

• Blood sample to check for underlying diseases.

In up to 60% of cases no underlying cause is found and these cases are referred to as feline idiopathic cystitis.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. In cases of idiopathic cystitis where no cause is found treatment is aimed at reducing the risk factors discussed previously.

Possible treatments include:

Surgery • To relieve obstruction of the urethra when present • To remove bladder stones Drugs • Antibiotics to control infections • Pain relief/anti-inflammatories • Medications to reduce stress • Anti-spasmodic drugs Diet change • To dissolve crystals/stones and prevent more from forming • To produce more dilute urine • To reduce obesity Environmental changes • Increasing the number of litter trays

• Offering more options in litter tray location, type of tray and type of litter • Increasing exercise • Modifying environment to reduce stress e.g. Hiding holes, access to heights, provision of escape/“bolt holes” Increasing water intake • Add water to food • Place water in several locations • Change water regularly • Experiment with different types of container and fullness • Offering filtered or bottled spring water • Water fountain for running water

Many cats with FLUTD have recurrent problems but diagnosing the cause correctly and instituting appropriate treatment and management can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of episodes, leading to a much happier cat.

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Wednesday 12th fEBRUARY

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

School NEws 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

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

Houston Toddlers We are now back in the swing of things on a Thursday morning catching up with our friends. Santa came to visit us at our party and we all had a great time. On Thursday 13th February we will be making Valentine cards come along and join us. We meet in the West Halls on Thursday mornings at 9.30am until 11.30am you will be made most welcome. Please bring you own cup (preferably with a lid) and a cup for the children.

Abbey Nursery Welcome to lovely February - the shortest month of the year and not long before we can look forward to the happy smiley Spring months!

All our clever and talented four year olds have now signed up for their chosen primary school and our Transition Programme is in full swing with lots of activities and visits planned between the nursery and local schools to ensure the children are getting excited about this next step. This next phase of their early year’s education will be a strong focus on enhanced numeracy and literacy skills and to start this we will be exploring the author Emily Gravett who has produced beautiful stories and illustrations including Storm; Wolves, Orange Pear Apple Bear, Go Fishing and Tidy; all of which are bound to inspire the children’s own imagination.

At the other end of the age group our Little Ladybirds are colour matching and sorting with Snowmen and are getting very good at their colours whilst the Busy Bunnies have been visiting the local chemist to find out what they sell and how they help people with medicines.

Across the nursery there is still lots of outdoor play, despite the wet weather, and the new water wheel is getting lots of attention. We have also been busy collecting money from our recent Welly Waddle in January with all the playrooms taking part in this fun event to raise money for the Scottish Cot Death Trust.

Alongside the ‘waddling’ the children went on a bear hunt; had fun splashing in the ‘muddie puddles’, did some footprint painting and tried to beat each other by throwing wellies the furthest. Thank you to all parents to helped with this fundraising and we will let you know the final total shortly.

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fEBRUARY 2020

Gryffe High News S4 Modern Studies visit the Scottish Parliament

Bridge of Weir Primary On 14th January, 36 S4 Modern Studies pupils went on a trip to the Scottish Parliament. Due to good traffic, we managed to have a look at the exhibition in the main foyer and have a look in the Chamber before MSP’s started their afternoon session. This allowed the pupils an opportunity to ask questions about the layout and what they might see later.

Pupils engaged in a session with the Education Service and were tested on their knowledge of Scottish Parliament powers as well as the makeup of the Parliament. They then had the opportunity to question their constituency MSP, Derek MacKay (SNP) and two regional MSPs - Neil Bibby (Labour) and Ross Greer (Scottish Greens). Pupils asked questions about Brexit, planning, tackling climate change and tackling poverty.

After this session, pupils returned to the Chamber to watch the start of a debate on ‘Improving the Lives of Gypsy/Travellers’. Due to the nature of the topic discussed, the pupils were able to see that political parties can and do work together, but that there is sometimes friction too!

Mrs S. Jardine – Teacher of Modern Studies

Advanced Higher Chemists visit University of Strathclyde

The Advanced Higher Chemistry class visited the University of Strathclyde Chemistry department, where they worked with 3rd year Undergraduate Masters students as part of the university’s Chemistry Clinic.

Fairtrade February in the School - written by the News Team – Rhys, Daisy, Anya and Alexander (shown in picture) Bridge of Weir Primary School is very supportive of charities. This month we are supporting Fairtrade, by selling Divine chocolate bars to the pupils and staff for £1. They’ll be sold for a week, and the money raised will be sent to support the charity. You can help too. When you go to buy chocolate, buy a bar that has the Fairtrade symbol on it. The money goes to help farmers around the world. Lots of other food is also in the fairtrade scheme, including bananas, honey, coffee and oranges. There are also lots of products that aren’t food, like soaps, clothes, jewellery, lipsticks and even footballs!

But what is Fairtrade? It’s about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers all around the world. A Fairtrade symbol means the making of that product involved fair wages.

We celebrate Fairtrade every February, and even have a song: When you’re out for shopping, need to think a bit, Don’t just buy the first thing that you see.

Take a look around and when you see the sign, It all fits together perfectly!

Buy Fairtrade, buy Fairtrade, just do it!

Na na na na na na na!

Buy Fairtrade, buy Fairtrade, just do it!

Na na na na na na na!

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 will run from Monday 24th February to Sunday 8th March.

Another important date for our school is Wednesday 19th February when we are throwing the doors open for our ‘After the Bell’ event. It’s an opportunity for family and friends to come and see what school is like in 2020. Staff will be showing off many of the wonderful things we do in our school. There will also be a special visit from the Glasgow Science Centre who will be running workshops to test our science knowledge. Please put the date in your diary.

The purpose of this visit was to analyse samples they had previously prepared through practical work in class. Pupils were given a demonstration of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy facility, where their samples will be analysed by university staff, and had the opportunity to use the Infra-Red (IR) Spectrometer to analyse their own samples. Pupils will then interpret these results and the information gathered from both techniques will then be used for the formal write-up of their project which contributes 25% of the overall course award.

In addition to this, the pupils were shown aspects of the university facilities including lecture theatres and laboratories and had the opportunity to speak to the students about their university studies.

Overall, the pupils found it to be a very informative and beneficial afternoon.

News Team – Rhys, Daisy, Anya and Alexander

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Wednesday 12th fEBRUARY

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

Kilmacolm Playgroup

Duchal Nursery

What a lovely start back to Playgroup with our new children settling in well. We started the term back looking at Winter with lots of fun wintry crafts, sensory play was lots of fun with our fake snow, the children loved making it snow on the animals on our tuff table and making mini snowballs to throw.

We’ve had a great start to the year discovering Australia in our latest topic. There have been boomerangs, didgeridoos and kangaroos appearing around the nursery as we learn about life “down under” some rock art and “Ozzie biccies” have also made it home with our creative children.

Number week saw us learning all about counting and recognising n u m b e r s through fun play with our shop and our water table playing a game of hook the duck to find out who had the highest number. What clever children we have at Playgroup.

We will be continuing our World travels when we celebrate Chinese New Year welcoming the Year of the Rat, as well as celebrating our own bard with a Burns Day party for the children in nursery, as a warm up for the parents Burns Supper being held on 31st January.

Its never too early to get your child’s name down for playgroup to ensure they can start at 2 years and 4 months. Email us for more details.

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. 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 coordinators and other useful information available.

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.

A leap year is a year with 366 days, instead of the usual 365. They’re necessary because the actual length of a year is 365.242 days, not 365 days, as commonly stated. This extra day is added as February 29th.

However, there’s an exception to this involving century years. Adding an extra day every 4 years results in about 3 extra days accumulating throughout 400 years. For this reason, only 1 out of every 4 century years is considered a leap year.

1700, 1800, 1900 were not leap years, and 2100 will not be a leap year either, but 1600 and 2000 were because those year numbers were evenly divisible by 400.

Julius Caesar was behind the origin of leap year in 45 BC. The early Romans had a 355-day calendar and created a 22 or 23 day month every second year to keep festivals occurring around the same season each year. He decided to simplify things and added days to different months of the year to create the 365-day calendar (calculations made by Caesar’s astronomer, Sosigenes). Every fourth year following the 28th day of Februarius one day was to be added, making it a leap year.

FREE TASTER SESSIONS - making that big step to nursery school can be challenging for some children and making the decision on which pre school to choose for their child difficult for parents.

Duchal, the only specialist nursery in the area, offers a small caring environment to ensure the 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.

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.

Meanwhile follow us on Facebook to keep up to speed with the latest news and events and visit our website: www. duchal.com for more information about our nursery.

RECYCLING: We are collecting paper for recycling in our new red bin outside the nursery, please bag up your paper and add it to our collection when you are passing!

Houston Primary Living Streets I’m delighted to announce that Houston Primary School has received an award from Living Streets and WOW for making it into the top ten ‘Walk of Fame’ in the latest edition of Living Streets. Strider their mascot, made a special visit to the P1 - 3 Assembly to award the school with its trophy. Living Streets is part of a UK charity which has a mission to achieve a better walking environment and to inspire people to walk more. We would like to thank our parents and carers who have supported their child with this initiative.

St. Vincent’s Hospice This year we continue to support the St. Vincent’s Hospice Stamp Appeal. Please send in your stamps to the school office. Thank you in advance for your support.

On 13th December our pupils put on their Christmas jumpers to raise very much needed funds for the hospice which has supported so many of members of the community. We raised a grand total of £360. Thanks to all who contributed.

Corseford Partnership Project

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII further refined the calendar with the rule that leap day would occur in any year divisible by 4.

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fEBRUARY 2020

Kilbarchan Primary School Last term at Kilbarchan Primary School saw the introduction of our whole school committees, which were set up to make sure that every pupil was part of a team, working hard to bring about positive changes. The journalists from our Infant Media Committee interviewed the pupils to find out more.

Media Committees The Infant Group will write for the Gryffe Advertiser while the Upper Group will write our monthly school newsletter.

Eco Committees The Infant Group are in the process of creating a Litter Picking Rota whilst the Upper Group create a Travel Plan for the school. We also hope to achieve the Cycle Friendly School Award.

Playground Committees The committees are organising our new playground games and equipment and will create a timetable to make sure everyone has a fair chance to play.

Digital Leaders Both Infant and Upper Groups will work to promote internet safety across the school. The pupils in these groups are working towards achieving the Digital Schools Award.

Fairtrade Committee This Group will be promoting Fairtrade fortnight, making sure everyone within our school community is aware of why this is so important and making links with partners who can help us.

Rights Respecting Schools Committee This Group will be working through our Rights Respecting Schools Award, looking at ways to make sure this is part of our curriculum and sharing this with our families and partners.

Health and Wellbeing Committees The Infant Group met with Strider and are now responsible for the Walk to School Challenge. The Upper Group link with Active Schools to plan the clubs we offer. They will focus on employability and leadership skills across the school.

Pupil Councils Our Infant Council will be working with the Community and Renfrewshire Councils to help improve Kilbarchan Play Park. The Upper Council provided feedback on the recent catchment review and will collate results from pupil questionnaires and focus groups.

Pupils from Houston Primary went along to support the young people who attend Corseford School with their Christmas concert. Ms Bufton asked our pupils to help create a festive atmosphere by singing Christmas carols as part of the concert, supported by Houston parent, Catriona Connelly who played the piano. Our pupils even managed to use some Makaton to aid communication, which really impressed Corseford staff.

We had such a great experience we are hoping to go back at Easter time, for another joint performance.

Carols in the Crescent A huge thank you to our pupils and parents who came out to support this wonderful community event. It was a very wet evening, but spirits were not dampened, as our pupils sang a selection of Christmas carols. Special thanks to Miss McCafferty, Mrs Neilson, Mrs Farquhar and Mrs Hey who run the junior and senior choirs, sharing their musical talents throughout the school year.

BAE Systems Set For Record-breaking Apprentice Intake BAE Systems plans to recruit more than 800 apprentices in the UK in 2020 – the highest number ever recruited.

The new recruits will join one of more than 25 apprenticeship programmes across the Company’s Air, Maritime, Land and Cyber divisions, benefitting from tailored schemes that combine recognised qualifications with on-the-job training.

The majority of the new apprentices will join either the Air or Maritime sectors where they will work on some of the most exciting and nationally important programmes in the UK. This includes developing future combat air technologies for the Royal Air Force and working on the Dreadnought programme – a new generation of submarine for the Royal Navy that will replace the current Vanguard class.

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said: “Our apprentices are the lifeblood of our business. I’m incredibly proud of the significant contribution they make to the design and delivery of our most complex products, equipment and services, helping to ensure BAE Systems remains at the forefront of technology and innovation and safeguard our national security for decades to come.

“As technology and our workplace evolves, it’s critical that we continue to invest in training the next generation of engineers and leaders. By working alongside industry peers, government and the education sector, we can ensure we are ready to respond to complex challenges of the future.”

Khadijah Ismail, an Engineering Degree Apprentice in BAE Systems’ Air sector, said: “There are many benefits to undertaking an apprenticeship, from gaining years of credible, on-the-job engineering experience, to some that are more personal. For example, helping me to more confidently offer my views in the workplace.

“Most significantly, my apprenticeship has allowed me to work alongside and learn from senior engineers and leaders from across our business. The opportunity I have to interact with different people and the exposure I have to a wide range of experiences is undoubtedly helping my development and shaping my future career prospects.”

BAE Systems invested more than £100m in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK in 2018 and has around 2,000 apprentices in training across its UK businesses at any given time, with around 95 per cent securing permanent roles.

The Company currently employs more than 34,000 people in the UK and is one of the country’s largest employers of engineers, with around 66 per cent of its staff employed in engineering or engineering-related roles.

The apprenticeship recruitment window is open now and will run until 28th February 2020. To apply or to find out more about the exciting opportunities on offer at BAE Systems, visit: https://www. baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships/ schemes.

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Wednesday 12th fEBRUARY

St Columba’s School

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Bookbug Sessions 2020

St Columba’s School Announces Phenomenal National Successes Music is an important aspect of life at St Columba’s and we take and create as many opportunities as possible to allow our pupils to showcase their ability and hone their performance skills. Music is for sharing!

We are delighted to announce that two pupils, Callum H (SII) and Emily B (SII) have both successfully auditioned for the National Children’s Orchestra (NCO) of Great Britain. As members of the 12 and Under Orchestra last year, we are delighted that Emily is returning for a second year, this time for the 13 and Under Orchestra, with Callum joining her for the first time.

For those of you who attended our Musical Celebration in December, our singers are also justly rewarded for their talent.

The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) Girls’ Choir is led by world renowned conductor Christopher Bell and is a choir for ambitious singers aged 12 - 17 who show vocal and musical potential. Lucy C (SIII), Hannah M (SIV), Cara EM (SIV) and Emily B (SII) are four St Columba’s pupils who can be counted as members of this prestigious choir, where they perform with other girls to the very highest standard, receive expert vocal tuition and develop musicianship skills.

In addition, Cara EM (SIV) has also been selected to sing with the National Youth Choir of Scotland Main Training Choir for pupils aged 16 - 25. This is an outstanding achievement for Cara as this choir is one of the leading choirs in the UK. There is even more orchestral success for a number of pupils who auditioned for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. This prestigious orchestra provides a complete orchestral experience for its students aged between 8 and 25 through its pathway of orchestras, jazz bands, training ensembles and outreach programmes. For over 40 years, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland has nurtured the exceptional talents of Scotland’s most promising young musicians and we are delighted that four of our pupils successfully auditioned this year: Isla M (SVI) – Senior Orchestra – Clarinet (reserve) Sasha C (SII) – Junior Orchestra - Clarinet Callum H (SII) – Junior Orchestra – Bassoon Emily B (SII) – Junior Orchestra – Clarinet The West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band provide professional training and performance opportunities to talented musicians from schools throughout central and west Scotland. A highly entertaining and challenging programme of music is selected each year, allowing for solo opportunities and showcasing emerging and established Scottish composers. We are very pleased to announce that the following pupils are now members: Isla M (SVI) – Clarinet

Anjali R (SIII) – Flute,

Emily P (SVI) – Flute,

Sasha C (SII) – Clarinet

Callum H (SII) – Bassoon

What are they?

Free, friendly, fun sessions of songs, rhymes and stories for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their families and carers to enjoy together. Each session lasts around 30 minutes and has been designed to support children’s development while having fun.

They take place in a very relaxed environment and are a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your little one, and meet other families.

Where and when?

Sessions are drop in, so just come along. See our list below to find your nearest venue.

• Bishopton Library: Every Thursday, 10am and 11am • Bridge of Weir Library: Every second Thursday, 10am-10.30am • Erskine Library: Every Monday, 9.45am-10.15am (babies and children up to 15 months) and 10.45am-11.15am (children from 15months to 4 years) • Ferguslie Library: Every Wednesday, 10.15am • Foxbar Library: Every Tuesday, 10.30-11am • Glenburn Library: Every Tuesday & Friday, 10.30-11am • Johnstone Library: Every Wednesday, 9.15am (toddler group), 10am (toddler group ), 10.50am (baby group), 11.20am (baby group). Also every Friday, 10am-10.30am and every Saturday, 2.30pm-3pm • Linwood Library: Every Thursday, 2pm-2.30pm and every Saturday, 10.30-11am • Lochwinnoch Library: Every Tuesday, 9.30am • Paisley Central Library: Every Monday, 10.15am-10.45am (baby group from birth to 18 months) and 11.15am-11.45am (toddler group from ages 18 months to 4 years). Also every Wednesday (Gaelic Bookbug session. This is open to non-Gaelic speaking families, and all are welcome to come along and enjoy), 10.30am • Ralston Library: Every Wednesday, 2pm-2.30pm • Renfrew Library: Every Tuesday, 9.45am-10.15am, 10.25am10.55am and 11.05am-11.35am For safety and comfort, numbers for Renfrew Library Bookbug sessions are limited. Please sign in with staff upon arrival. Signing in for the first session will begin at 9.30am. If a session is full, you will be able to register for a later one. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Please follow staff instructions for the safe storage of prams and buggies within the library.

About Bookbug Bookbug is Scottish Book Trust’s national Early Years programme.

A national charity, Scottish Book Trust delivers the Bookbug programme locally by working in partnership with local library and education services and third sector organisations.

To support local delivery of the Bookbug programme, Scottish Book Trust provides its partners with training, advice and Bookbug bags of books.

For more information about Bookbug, including resources, research, advice and tips visit: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbug

Got NEWS?

Got any school 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.

If you have group images we like them to be even bigger so that faces are visible! This is all to ensure that pictures are printed clearly and not blurry or pixelated!

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fEBRUARY 2020

TRAFFIC NEws Erskine Bridge Bearing Replacement As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ is replacing the bridge bearings at the South Abutment of Erskine Bridge. Scotland TranServ will be assisted by supply chain partners, the Spencer Group and COWI. Works will take place over four weekends, starting at the end of January.

The bearings are original features, and have been in place since the completion of the bridge in 1971. They are now reaching the end of their maintainable life and in need of replacement.

Peter McCann, Scotland TranServ’s Major Bridges Manager said: “Scotland TranServ has consulted widely in the programming of these essential works, consulting the local authority, emergency services, community groups and other key stakeholders, seeking their input in the careful and considered planning of the works.

In order to deliver this programme of work as quickly and safely as possible, with minimal disruption to commuters and business, Scotland TranServ is implementing a staggered traffic management approach, in order to minimise bridge closures to 4 hours, from midnight each Friday until 4am early on the Saturday morning. It will however be necessary to operate under a single lane at other times across the weekend. Lane management is currently identified as such: ·

Friday 8pm to midnight – single lane open in both directions

·

Friday midnight to Saturday 4am – Erskine Bridge closed to all traffic, except emergency service vehicles

·

Saturday 4am to Monday 6am – single lane open both directions

·

All lanes open to traffic from Monday 6am.

The implementation of single lane traffic management will be necessary across each weekend to allow the bedding grout beneath the new bearings enough time to sufficiently harden.

The weekend works programme will therefore be as follows: ·

·

8pm Friday 31st January to 6am Monday 3rd February – Trial jack and investigations 8pm Friday 7th to 6am Monday 10th February – South East bearing replacement

·

8pm Friday 14th to 6am Monday 17th February – South West bearing replacement

·

8pm Friday 21st to 6am Monday 24th February – Contingency weekend

The works programme is subject to weather conditions. Additional measures will be taken to ensure the atmospheric temperatures immediately surrounding the bearings are sufficient to allow the grout to properly harden during this time.

Drivers are advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys during these weekends.

Live trunk road information can be found at trafficscotland.org or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter. An overnight diversion map and additional information will be available on the Scotland TranServ website nearer the start of the proposed project.

Across South West Scotland, Scotland TranServ is delivering an essential programme of work to improve the region’s trunk road infrastructure on behalf of Transport Scotland, supporting the economic growth and development of our local communities. h t tp : //t ra f f ic s co t la nd .o rg /news /sto r y. aspx?id=16958

Planned Roadworks Lochwinnoch

During the periods of overnight closure, diversions will be implemented. At other times during the weekend it is expected that lane management will cause significant delays.

Road Closure: Hall Road, Lochwinnoch, from A737 to Belltrees Road

Bluetooth monitoring will be in place to directly report on traffic flows.

Special arrangements are being made for emergency service vehicles. However, no additional arrangements will be made for windfarm traffic.

This is to allow for the installation of a crash barrier.

The closure will be in place between Monday 3rd February till Friday 7th February.

Diversion: A737, Wattieston Road, Belltrees Road or Vice Versa. www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/roadworks

How to report potholes It’s the duty of your local council to fix potholes on neighbourhood roads.

Here’s some advice from the AA on how to go about reporting one: Make a note of the specific location of the pothole, i.e. not just the name of the road, but how far up it is based on a house number, or a nearby landmark.

Find contact details for your local council. You can go straight to their website, or pop the relevant postcode into the government’s ‘Report a Pothole’ page.

Add the details. Some councils have interactive maps, where you can drop a pin to locate the pothole. Others have a contact form asking for more details.

There are also independent websites that create user-generated maps of potholes.

So, if you’re feeling generous, you might want to give your fellow drivers a headsup. They may not always be up-to-date though, so you shouldn’t rely on them in place of official channels.

If you’ve already experienced damage to your car, you can claim from your council for pothole damage.

You’ll need to collect evidence to apply for compensation. The defect in the road also needs to be a certain size to count as a pothole. This varies from council to council, but a depth of more than 40mm (about the size of two pound coins) and a width similar to a dinner plate, is usually the minimum.

It also depends on how busy or critical the road is - a pothole on a quiet road might need to be quite noticeable, before it gets repaired. If you feel the council have neglected their duty to keep roads safe, you have the right to make a pothole claim. https://www.theaa.com/breakdowncover/advice/how-to-report-a-pothole

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

What’s on JANUARY WEDNESDAY 29TH Monte Carlo Rally - UK Start George Square, Glasgow 2020 sees the 23nd edition of the Historique event and the 5th edition of the Classique event. Both events which are staged by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) and take place entirely on open public roads, and will start from Glasgow.

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.

FRIDAY 31ST St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Terrace Lunch St Machar’s Church, Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir 12noon Open to all, come along for some nice food and a chat. Home made soup, rolls, sandwiches, tea/coffee and biscuit. Carers and tots welcome too, high chairs available.

Little ones go free. £4

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 with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tickets will be available after the New Year. £2.50.

SUNDAY 2ND Acoustic Music Night The River Inn, Houston Road, Houston, 8pm to 10pm With local musicians Scowlin’ Wolf. Special guest Houston singer guitarist Kyle Wilson If you are interested in playing contact Rab on 07415 119754.

Snowdrop Walks Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank 1pm Join the rangers for an informative 40 minute walk around our Paradise and Burnside paths, learning all about the Snowdrops carpeting the undergrowth and getting a chance to take some spectacular photos!

MONDAY 3RD Kilbarchan Parish Church Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 1.30pm to 3pm Pop in for a “cuppa” and a chat! All welcome.

WEDNESDAY 5TH Walk Through Fire for your Local Hospice St Vincent’s Hospice, Midton Road, Howwood 6pm St. Vincent’s Hospice are bringing back their hottest fundraising event of the year - sign up and face your fears, for this exciting challenge to support St. Vincent’s.

For more information, contact: Info@svh. co.uk or visit the hospice website: www. svh.co.uk £25

Talk with a solicitor for free!

St Vincent’s Hospice, Midton Road, Howwood 11am to 1.30pm St. Vincent’s Hospice is offering a friendly, legal advice service completely free of charge to any adult in Renfrewshire thanks to the voluntary support of local solicitors.

The service provides an introduction to confidential professional advice and information to help you plan for the future, such as writing your will and arranging Powers of Attorney. Booking is essential.

Please contact June Burgess, Legacy Officer at St. Vincent’s Hospice on 01505 705 635 or email: june.burgess@svh.co.uk

THURSDAY 6TH Outlook Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm Words and Music - a special Quiz, devised

by Eileen Green

THURSDAY 6TH - SATURDAY 8TH West Ren Annual Concert 2020 Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone 7:30pm Presenting their Annual Variety Concert entitled “Rising Tides and Switching Sides”.

Curtain up at 7:30pm. All welcome.

FRIDAY 7TH Kilbarchan Show Whist Drive Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 7:30pm to 10pm The event will be catered - with a brilliant spread of sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes and tea & coffee. So bring along your friends, mother, father, partner and granny & co and grab a seat, and have a good old natter.

Paisley Philosophical Institution Talks For over 200 years Paisley Philosophical Institution has attracted renowned speakers on a diverse range of subjects covering every aspect of life, art, history, travel and music. Talks usually last no more than 45 minutes followed by adequate time for questions from the audience Meetings are held in an informal, friendly atmosphere and are open to all members of the public. Non-members can attend initially on a “pay as you go basis”.

Today the Institution continues to be a Club to delight, inform, amuse in addition to providing a venue for those who are merely curious about life in general.

All meetings will take place in the University of the West of Scotland, High Street, Paisley. Meetings start at 7.30pm.

Membership for the season is £15, £10 for students. We invite guests to come along to individual meetings, and request that a donation be made - suggested amount £3.

Upcoming Dates: 13th February: Prof. Fiona Henriquez - Protecting the world’s 125 million contact lens users by discovering a treatment for devastating eye condition, Acanthamoeba keratitis.

27th February: Brian Hannan - Paisley at the Pictures 1950.

12th March: Ruth Aitken, Creative Learning Worker, Paisley Museum - John Byrne and the Slab Boys.

26th March: Prof. Andrew Hurthouse, UWS - “Developing Environmental Science Research through a collaborative and interdisciplinary culture: Tall tales from a “lopsided” Geochemist” Find out more at http://paisleyphilosophicalinstitution.blogspot. com/p/meetin-dtaes.html

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.

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

Fundraising Race Night 1st Bridge Of Weir Scout Group Saturday 28th March from 7.30pm, Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir. Tickets - £5 Inc. Buffet. You are welcome to sponsor (in advance): Race for £25 | Horse or Jockey for £5 Prizes to be won. Spaces are limited. Please contact your Section Leader or Teresa McQuarrie on 07444 886 154 for tickets/sponsor.

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 7TH

SATURDAY 15TH

Love bugs (and other wildlife)

Kilbarchan Messy Church

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 4pm to 6pm

Explore our woodland trail and find out how different types of animals try to attract a mate. Collect the ‘love letters’ along the way then un-jumble them at the end to make a creature that we at the RSPB love!

Simply pop into the visitor centre any time, where the friendly staff will get you started then walk our woodland trail and discover some of our wildlife looking for love!! Child Member £2.50; Child Non-Member £4.

Contact us on 01505 842663 or E-mail: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk

SUNDAY 9TH Guided Wildlife Walks RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 1pm If you would be interested in joining our warden for a stroll around the reserve as he points out interesting wildlife and discusses the importance of why we do what we do, then check out our events section at www.rspb.org.uk/lochwinnoch for more information.

Snowdrop Walks Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank 1pm Join the rangers for an informative 40minute walk around our Paradise and Burnside paths, learning all about the Snowdrops carpeting the undergrowth and getting a chance to take some spectacular photos!

TUESDAY 11TH Bridge of Weir Festival Committee AGM Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir 7.30pm Please come along and get involved as we need help especially with the Bridge of Weir Gala for this June.

WEDNESDAY 12TH Tartan Walk Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 11am A Scottish themed singsong around Lochwinnoch. Wear your ‘see you Jimmy’ hat! Allow 2 hrs, less if it is wet! For more information tel: 01505 842882.

THURSDAY 13TH Sòlas Drop In Bereavement Group Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm

FRIDAY 14TH St Valentine’s Tea Dance Lochwinnoch Golf Club Burnfoot Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AN 2pm Donations and Raffle. Contact Glynis 01505 842419 for booking.

FRIDAY 14TH - FRIDAY 21ST National Nest Box Week RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch This February put up nesting boxes for breeding birds looking for homes for their families and help promote conservation.

With a wide range of nest boxes for many different types of bird available in our shop, or if you feel like being crafty there are many simple plans available from our website, along with advice on which boxes to use for which birds and the best places to put them - www.rspb.org.uk/nestboxes

All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Musical Evening - Songs from the Shows Old Library Centre, 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start With Doh Rae Me. Contact the Old Library for tickets on 01505 706070 or pop in.

Please don’t delay as we are expecting this to be a sell out. BYOB. £10

SUNDAY 16TH Snowdrop Walks Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank 1pm Join the rangers for an informative 40 minute walk around our Paradise and Burnside paths, learning all about the Snowdrops carpeting the undergrowth and getting a chance to take some spectacular photos!

Close Shave Chorus Langbank Parish Church, Main Road, Langbank 2.30pm The award-winning acappella harmony group are bringing with them a programme packed with well-loved and well-known songs which they will present in their own unique barbershop way. Don’t miss this excellent collection of singers! Tickets available at the door. £5.

MONDAY 17TH Stargazing Evening Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 7pm to 9pm 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. For more information tel: 01505 842882.

TUESDAY 18TH Howwood WI Howwood Village Hall, Howwood, PA9 1BB 7.30pm Cuts of Meat by Ian Telfer

WEDNESDAY 19TH Bridge of Weir Primary “After the Bell” Bridge of Weir Primary School, Warlock Road, Bridge of Weir Staff will be showing off many of the wonderful things we do in our school.

There will also be a special visit from the Glasgow Science Centre who will be running workshops to test our science knowledge.

THURSDAY 20TH

Bardic Supper Speaker Gillebrìde MacMillan “Bàrdachd Baile Poetry/Gaelic Songs” Saturday, 22nd 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Village

February,

Westburn Church Hall, 9 Nelson Street, Greenock, PA15 1TP Cost: £15 (includes meal) Booking essential - contact: fios@clanngaidhlig.org or telephone 01475 728669 (Anne) or 0780 591 8509 (Alasdair)

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

Outlook Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 4pm Tales of Mystery and Intrigue.

THURSDAY 20TH - SATURDAY 29TH Paisley Book Festival Various For its inaugural year, Paisley Book Festival’s theme of Radical Voices and Rebel Stories celebrates the area’s rebellious history. A bold, exciting and vibrant festival is planned.

Highlights include John Byrne, Caro Ramsay, Kirsty Wark, The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers featuring Christopher Brookmyre and Val McDermid paisleybookfestival.com for more info.

Planning an event?

We’d love to hear about your event. Please send your event details in to info@advertizer.co.uk. You can also submit events online at www.advertizer.co.uk/events and scroll down to the bottom of the page to find our event submission form.

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FRIDAY 21ST

FRIDAY 28TH - SATURDAY 29TH

Family Whist Drive

The Lovers

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm

Wynd Theatre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley, PA1 2DB

Kilmacolm Industrial Section of Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Family Whist Drive. Come along and have a fun night out!

SATURDAY 22ND Bardic Supper Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock 7.30pm to 10.30pm Speaker Gillebrìde MacMillan “Bàrdachd Baile - Village Poetry/Gaelic Songs” Cost: £15 (includes meal). Booking essential - contact: fios@clanngaidhlig.org or telephone 01475 728669 (Anne) or 07805 918509 (Alasdair)

Paisley Abbey Recitals

The Carrick Players next performance will be Lovers by Brian Friel. You will laugh and cry as we explore the varieties of love in two short complementary plays set in rural Ireland. Tickets available from thecarrickplayers.eventbrite.co.uk

mARCH TUESDAY 3RD Fairtrade Chocolicous Morning Houston Primary School, Crosslee Road, Houston 10.15am to 11.45am

Ralph McDonald (Baritone) with George McPhee (Piano). Admission payable at the door. £5.

Indulge yourself in our Fairtrade event.

Extensive Fairtrade Hot Chocolate Menu, Chocolate cake and other chocolate goodies. Willy Wonka would be jealous of what we have planned. Come along and join us.

SUNDAY 23RD

WEDNESDAY 4TH

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley 12.30pm

Snowdrop Walks Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank 1pm Join the rangers for an informative 40 minute walk around our Paradise and Burnside paths, learning all about the Snowdrops carpeting the undergrowth and getting a chance to take some spectacular photos!

Make Comics History Paisley Central Library, Mill Street, Paisley PA1 1ND 12.30pm to 2pm Explore the different ways comics tell stories and then create your own, inspired

by Paisley’s history and heritage. Find out more at https://paisleybookfest.com/ Supported by Renfrewshire Council Culture Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF)

TUESDAY 25TH Annual Shrove Tuesday Coffee Morning St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm 10am to 12noon With lovely freshly made pancakes, home baking, raffle and various stalls. Please come along - all welcome. £3.

WEDNESDAY 26TH Circular Walk Inverkip Railway Station, Inverkip, Greenock PA16 0BB 11am A 13km circular walk, taking in Ardgowan Estate and Lunderston Bay. For more information contact Renfrewshire Walking Network.

THURSDAY 27TH Movie Night - Mama Mia – Here I Go Again 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.

FRIDAY 28TH St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Terrace Lunch

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk OKFest 2020 Kilmacolm’s 4th annual Festival of Sound Friday 6th - Sunday 8th March 2020 Kilmacolm Old Kirk & Kidston Hall Free Entry. Donations welcome to help cover costs. Something for all ages and tastes! Events all weekend!

Friday 6th March: McHart Ceilidh Band 7.30pm. BYOB. Saturday 7th March: Handbell performance and workshop 11am - 12noon Poetry and Literature readings 2pm - 4pm Choral Festival (Glasgow Youth Choir & Westerton Male Voice Choir) 7pm - 9pm Sunday 8th March: Riverside Youth Band Local young singing duo performing soft rock and Country & Western songs + hosting an ‘Open Mike’ session from 3.30pm More details at: www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk or Facebook: Kilmacolm Old Kirk

Howwood Curling Club Come & Try Curling Bowfield Road, Howwood, PA9 1DE 8.30pm No experience necessary. Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or ability, with a qualified coach to give you the tuition.

Come along and meet our club members and get to play. All equipment provided.

If you wish to attend please contact Lachie Carmichael: lachiedcarmichael@hotmail. com or 01294 823643. £6 per person.

FRIDAY 6TH World Day of Prayer Local Service St Columba’s Church, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm 1.30pm ‘Rise, Take up your Mat and Walk!’ Share worship and fellowship with people around the world for the World Day of Prayer.

Children from Kilmacolm Primary School will be singing for us. Refreshments after the Service. Everyone welcome! If you want to know more about the event, please call.

Maureen Russell, Convenor (telephone 87-2905; mob. 07905-950028)

FRIDAY 6TH - SUNDAY 8TH

Fox-tot!

20th March - 10am - 11.30am & 21st March - 10am Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock A little fox is sent on an adventure to explore the world and learn to see through the eyes of other creatures. Set in a woodland world where anything can happen, this engaging mix of music and puppetry is an interactive opera experience for kids and adults to enjoy together – a magical journey of discovery for those taking their first small steps into the big wide world. Running time approx.

45 mins.

Paisley Abbey

OKFest 2020 - Kilmacolm’s 4th annual Festival of Sound

Sunday 22nd March, 7.30pm

Kilmacolm Old Kirk, High Street, Kilmacolm

J.S. Bach - B Minor Mass

Kilmacolm Old Kirk & Kidston Hall Something for all ages and tastes! Events all weekend with McHart Ceilidh Band, Handbell performances and workshops, Poetry and Literature, Choral Festival, Riverside Youth Band, Local singing duo + an ‘Open Mike’ session. More details at www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk or Facebook: Kilmacolm Old Kirk Free Entry

SATURDAY 7TH MND Coffee Morning Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 10am to 12noon 2nd Floor Why not pop along for a cuppa, a chat and some fabulous home baking. £3

Mhairi Lawson (soprano) Beth Margaret Taylor (alto) David Lee (tenor) Laurens Macklon (baritone) Colin Murray (bass) Paisley Abbey Choir George McPhee conductor With an orchestra of leading Baroque musicians drawn from across the UK Tickets £20, available via The Abbey Shop, or tel: 0141 889 7654 or bminor.eventbrite.co.uk Paisley Abbey (Church of Scotland) Registered Charity No. SC007633 www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

St Machar’s Church, Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir 12noon

Paisley Abbey Saturday Recitals

Open to all, come along for some nice food and a chat. Home made soup, rolls, sandwiches, tea/coffee and biscuit. Carers and tots welcome too, high chairs available.

Little ones go free. £4.

Saturday 22nd February at 12.30pm Ralph McDonald (Baritone) with George McPhee (Piano) Admission £5 payable at the door Paisley Abbey (Church of Scotland) – Registered Charity No. SC007633

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fEBRUARY 2020

Sunday Continental New for 2020! Sunday Continental is a new monthly live music event starting this month on the 16th February at Paisley Arts Centre Workshop from 11am - 1pm. A laid back daytime event with live music and refreshments. Listen, chat, dance, read, play. Enjoy.

For everyone: age 0 – 100+.

Upcoming Dates: 16th February, 15th March, 19th April, 17th May 2020 For more details, visit https://renfrewshireboxoffice.ticketsolve. com/shows/1173600567

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! www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk

Touring Opportunity for Young Traditional Musicians Young musicians from across Renfrewshire will have the opportunity to experience life as a touring musician this summer with the Fèis Phàislig Cèilidh Trail.

Now in its third year, the Cèilidh Trail is a touring group of up to six young musicians, aged 16 - 25, which takes to the road at the end of July. Through a tailored training and rehearsal programme, the musicians are able to develop core skills required for a career in the creative industries as well as develop their performance skills across two weeks of showcase performances.

Grant McFarlane, Fèis Phaislig coordinator, said: “The Cèilidh Trail has been such an exciting project to deliver for the last two years and I can’t wait to see what our 2020 group do. It gives young people who might be thinking of a career in the arts an opportunity to experience life as a touring musician without the financial burden.

We’re also able to pay the musicians for their two weeks of touring so a great summer job for many of our young people.

Through the training and rehearsals that take place, the musicians develop their own performance and stagecraft while having to work as part of a group to deliver the tour performances. It’s a great next step for any young musician who is looking to gain more experience of performing as well as gain an insight in to the organisation and planning of concerts!”

Applications for the 2020 Cèilidh Trail are now open and close on February 16th 2020. Young musicians aged 16 - 25 are encouraged to find out more and apply through the Fèis website at: www. feisphaislig.com. Auditions will take place on Sunday 1st March.

For further information, please contact Grant McFarlane, Fèis Coordinator at:info@feisphaislig.com / 07595175099.

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Wednesday 12th fEBRUARY

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

outdoors Inverclyde Council Garden Waste Permits Householders wishing to recycle garden waste in an Inverclyde Council brown bin need to buy a seasonal garden waste permit.

Quarrier’s Scouts Kerrera by Bridge of Village Weir Hillwalkers

Green Corner £700 million Project to Transfer Renfrewshire Waste into Green Energy

Inverclyde Council’s annual charge for collecting garden waste from the kerbside in 2020 is £30 per bin. A permit is required for each brown bin presented containing garden waste and can only be purchased online.

On receipt of payment, the householder will receive a permit which should be attached to the back of the bin to indicate to collection crews to uplift the bin. If bins are presented containing garden waste without a valid permit they will not be emptied.

The £30 charge applies regardless of at what point in the year the permit is issued, all permits issued will expire on your last recycling collection day in November 2020.

Please visit the website below to register and pay for your permit. https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/recycling-and-wasteservices/garden-waste-permits

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society Invite you to the February Winter Lecture, to be held in the Community Centre, Kilmacolm at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19th February. Our guest speaker is Richard Sutcliffe, retired research director of the Natural Sciences Collections of Glasgow Museums.

Richard’s visit is an honour for the Society, so please do come along and support this special winter lecture.

A note for your diary: Check on your spring bulbs in time for the K.H.S. Spring Bulb competition to be held on Wednesday 18th March - immediately following the ever popular Louise Bustard who joins us to present her stories of the visit to ‘Gardens of the Italian Lakes’.

Everyone welcome. For more details of the Society’s activities please check out our website: www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com

A unique new contract will see a minimum of 92% of Renfrewshire’s waste transformed into energy as the area meets the Scottish Government’s landfill ban.

The £700 million, 25-year Clyde Valley Residual Waste Project between East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Council and Viridor is now underway and will serve almost one-sixth of Scotland’s population.

It will see up to 190,000 tonnes of general waste diverted from landfill and converted to low-carbon energy and is expected provide a net saving of almost 50,000 tonnes of CO2e every year.

Using cutting edge technology, residual black bag waste will be processed at the Bargeddie Hub, with recyclate extracted for further processing. The remaining non-recyclable material is then transferred to Viridor’s Energy Recovery facility in Dunbar, where it will be used to help create low-carbon electricity.

This is all great news, and reducing what goes to landfill is a definite plus. However, it doesn’t negate the need for individuals to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle before though their own consumer choices. The process of breaking down the waste itself is a carbon emitter, and in the world of recycling not everything is equal. For example aluminium cans save the most CO2, but items such as mixed plastics score quite low.

Although the Viridor project is to be commended and is a step towards a more circular economy, we must also remember that our individual, everyday efforts to reduce waste in our own households should remain a priority in fighting the ongoing climate crisis.

Got NEWS?

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.

If you have group images we like them to be even bigger so that faces are visible. This is to ensure that pictures are printed clearly and not blurry or pixelated.

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e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society Our recent guest, Paul Matthews, explained about pruning plants and the required pruning techniques. With a little fundamental knowledge it need not be a bewildering challenge. Never attack anything with uncontrolled gusto – even if it is hanging over the pavement or into your garden – but scrutinise the ‘subject’ and categorise. Remember the pruning mantra: dead, diseased and damaged, decaying, crossing and rubbing and remove such branches/stems. Aim for an airy “tulip” shape. Prune back to a healthy part, looking for an outward pointing “node” on the branch/ stem which indicates the source of new growth. This is where the magic happens – where the nourishment and future of your plant is stored. The size of the branch will decide the implement: secateurs for roses etc., loppers for small trees/large shrubs and a pruning saw for trees. Cutting a tree branch 12” further along from the planned cut will ease tension on the area chosen for the final cut.

Using the saw, mark round the bark, particularly underneath and this will prevent the bark from tearing.

Flowering bulbs are popular presents but these often include unwelcome flies. Destroy the blighters by dusting the fibre with Ant powder. Remember to cut pollen from Amaryllis Lilies! If this falls on to your cat’s fur and is licked off, kidney failure and death may follow.

Feed hungry birds. Robins love oatmeal, starlings gobble up mealworms, tits/sparrows home in on peanuts/sunflower seeds.

Ground-feeders, e.g., blackbirds, love nutritious left-overs such as fruit cake and stale cheese but NEVER chocolate; this is poisonous for dogs! During short days, put nothing out before dusk – you don’t want to attract rats etc.

On Thursday 13th February our Valentine’s Day topic will be “Poisonous Plants/Plants that Kill” (!). Louise Bustard, a Society favourite, will be our speaker. Interested? Come along to The Bridge at 8pm. All welcome.

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.

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!

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

• .jpg file

• .jpg file

• at least 5MB

• at least 3MB

• at least 3MB

• h:10cm x w:25cm • h:15cm 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.

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Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk Semple Stories, Lochwinnoch’s Glories Project Update

Finlaystone’s Events Snowdrop Walks Sunday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd Oregon Grape Mahonia (every Sunday in February) Join the rangers for an informative 40 minute walk around our Paradise and Burnside paths, learning all about the Snowdrops carpeting the undergrowth and getting a chance to take some spectacular photos!

February-wide (when the Snowdrops begin blooming) Snowdrop Sales Posie and potted Snowdrops are available in the Visitor Centre when they begin to flower. “In the Green” bulbs can be ordered from the start of March.

Tearoom and Logs The tearoom will be open at weekends and bank holidays from 10am approx - 3pm. Any woodland/garden volunteers are always welcome and are a valuable help year-round! Soft (£5.50) and hard (£6.95) firewood log bags available too.

Clyde Muirshiel Events Give Back on Practical Conservation Days: Muirshiel Country Park’s sikta spruce brashings need cutting, piling and burning and then there are new trees to plant later in February. It is like gardening on a slightly bigger scale, it’s sociable and will help keep you fit or get you fit!

Volunteer days happen on Thursdays and Saturdays but if you have a group, get in contact to organise a day to suit you.

Tartan Walk Wed 12th February: Join the feeling fitter crowd for fun and laughter on a 5km stroll around Lochwinnoch, partake in a wee singsong as you go! Wear your tartan and enjoy a cuppa in the warmth of Castle Semple Visitor Centre afterwards. 10.30am registration.

Stargazing Evenings: 2020 dates at Castle Semple are Monday 17th February and Monday 9th March. Book your place online today, its only £5 (children 10 - 16 yrs are £2.50) and look forward to an evening of stars, planets and other astronomical features.

Pedal the Park 2020: Is taking place on Sunday 3rd May, online entry is open for this popular 100km sportive, sign up, get cycling or save the date and donate to the home baking efforts for the food stop at the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. Entry is £20 with a £7.50 CLIC Sargent donation included via the British Cycling website.

Active Adventurous: 2020 course dates are online! Book via our website for sailing and paddlesport courses for adults including 2 hour evening tasters, 1/2 day long tuition and recognised powerboating qualifications. For the kids there are our school holiday (hugely popular!) Junior Multi Activity Weeks or days in Spring, Summer and Autumn. There are also child specific paddlesport and sailing 2 day courses. If current dates don’t suit get your friends together and contact us asap to book your own activity session or course.

After the hiatus of the Festive period, the history project is swiftly picking up the pace and I am delighted to announce that there was a meeting of volunteers at the Castle Semple Visitor Centre on the evening of Tuesday 14th January.

With interests in the history of the Semple family to the Old Town of Lochwinnoch, developing into the New Town that we are all familiar with today and leading guided walks to the taking and archiving of photographs and stories. Also involved are some students’ Barr Castle, Lochwinnoch from Scotland’s Rural ©Rosser1954 [CC BY-SA] College (SRUC) in Ayr, along with their lecturer Ian Lewis. They are helping to write some of the interpretation as part of their coursework.

There was a definite buzz in the air as the enthusiasm for telling the story of the Village’s past, with its significant connection to the Stewarts and the governance of Scotland, along with its industrial heritage stimulated lots of exciting conversation. It is inspiring to see so many people interested in telling the chronicles of Lochwinnoch.

If you would like to get involved in any way or share your family anecdotes, then please get in touch we me, Mhairi Donnelly, at the Castle Semple Visitor Centre, (01505) 842882, Facebook: @ Lochwinnoch Glories or by email: semplestories@gmail.com

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers Our Christmas party at Arrochar was a great success even if we did get absolutely soaked on the heritage walk for our lunch. The Village Inn provided excellent fare and Stewart got the squeeze box going for some reels in the bar and a communal sing-song. It was a happy bus load that made our way back to Houston.

January opened with another fair soaking at the Greenock Cut. February will see walks at Drymen, Troon and the Kilpatricks before we start to look forward to Spring and more adventurous outings.

Hopefully they will also be warmer and drier. For more details contact: donwwsmith@gmail.com

Clyde Muirshiel Conservation Volunteers: All volunteer groups are running as normal after a festive break: Greenock Cut Volunteers are every Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm; Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers are every Sunday morning 10am - 12pm; Castle Semple Volunteers can be either at Castle Semple or Muirshiel. Look online for full programmes.

Dates for the Diary: The 3rd Clyde Muirshiel Walking Festival will take place on Saturday 23rd until Monday 25th May and Classic Car Show on Sunday 18th October.

Ride 63 Community Cycle Club: As the weather improves look on their facebook for details of DIY weekend runs. Contact the club by emailing the secretary ridesixtythree@gmail.com for a membership form.

CMRP Online: Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark, @Clydemuirshiel Twitter and Instagram pages.

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fEBRUARY 2020

RSPB Lochwinnoch February Have you gazed upon the fair maids of February yet?

The sight of fresh green shoots emerging from otherwise bare soil is to many a symbol of hope that longer, warmer days are on their way. One of the earliest plants to emerge from winters slumber each year is the much adored ‘Fair Maid of February’ or as they are more commonly known, snowdrops. These small, milky white flowers form clusters of colour that bring joy to many and can easily be seen along parts of our woodland trails.

February is of course the month when we celebrate St Valentine’s day and many of our birds will soon be looking for love and searching out new homes in which to raise their families. With this in mind, St Valentine’s Day marks the start of National Nest Box Week, which runs until the 21st and is aimed at encouraging people to put up nesting boxes for breeding birds and help promote conservation.

Here at RSPB Lochwinnoch we have a wide range of nest boxes for many different types of bird available in our shop, or if you feel like being crafty there are many simple plans available from our website, along with advice on which boxes to use for which birds and the best places to put them - www.rspb.org.uk/nestboxes We will also be launching the first of our ‘Guided Wildlife Walks’ around the reserve on Sunday 9th February at 1pm. If you would be interested in joining our warden for a stroll around the reserve as he points out interesting wildlife and discusses the importance of why we do what we do, then check out our events section at www.rspb.org.uk/lochwinnoch for more information.

Other events include our ‘Love Bugs (and other wildlife)’ activity trail for kids throughout February and our monthly ‘Family Volunteering’ on Saturday 21st May Michael Harvey (rspb-images.com)

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Business classified

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

ADVERTISING RATES

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

MISCELLANEOUS

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY

TUITION Local Kilmacolm University Student, with tutoring ex p e r i e n ce , o f f e r i n g tuition in MATHS and PIANO from beginners to Nat 5. Tel: 07729 787936.

LINEAGE ADVERT

BUSINESS

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

£18.00 (INC. VAT)FOR 20 WORDS RUN OF 4 - £57.60 (INC VAT) & 20% DISCOUNT

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.

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

Sales & Wants

ADVERTISING RATES PRIVATE SALES ONLY (MAXIMUM 40 words) UP TO £500 £501 to £1000 OVER £1000 Email your items to: or fill in our online form at:

FREE £5.00 Call for details info@advertizer.co.uk 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 Ladies Roland Cartier Shoes. Size 4 (37.5). Matching Handbag. £10 ono.

Tel: 01505 690610.

Harry Hall children’s riding boots. Size 2, hardly worn, excellent condition in original box. £20. Tel: 07523 317093.

M & S Ladies Camel Coat. Size M. £10 ono. Tel: 01505 690610.

Lovely new Mustard Ankle Boots, never worn. Size 4. £4 ono. Tel: 01505 690610.

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN 2 new small Folding Pine Tables. £6 each or £10 for two. Tel: 01505 690610.

Mahogany dining room table with 6 chairs (2 carvers). Two extensions.

Easily sits 10 at full extension. £150.

Tel: 07900 477277.

SOFA, three seater, Marks & Spencer, as new, reversible cushions, cost £1,200, sell £185. Tel: 07986 812483.

Wall mounted Electric Fire. Very good condition. £50. Tel: 07985 482211.

Beautiful round dining table in reclaimed oak. Approx 120cm in diameter x 70cm high. Good condition. £150. Tel: 01505 672175.

Black granite centre island bull nose edge, kitchen work top. Perfect condition. £250. Tel: 07808 713855.

10 ex Choir Chairs (with rear book holder) with padded seats. Available at £7.50 each or £65 for the lot. Tel : 07711 222212.

2 x 2.5Kw Airforce and Supawarm oil filled radiators, both with timers. £25 each. Tel: 01505 872026.

Bosch electric lawnmower. Rotak 370ER model. New, never used, still in box, with 3 year manufacturer guarantee. Cost £129, sell £104. Tel: 07986 812483.

Panasonic Twin Telephone Set, model KXTGC412. As new, used for only 4 calls, boxed. Bought in belief that existing phone was faulty - it wasn’t. £25. Tel: 01505 612769.

Ironing board, with cover. Full size, and folds flat. Used £12. Can deliver locally. £12 ono. Tel: 07913 303859.

Shoe tidy. Metal rotary, with 3 levels and can hold 18 pairs of shoes. It is free standing, with a solid base, and each level turns round, very practical. Used. £10 ono. Tel: 07913 303859.

Pine double wardrobe. Beautiful, stripped pine wardrobe in excellent condition. It has lovely carved detail, 2 doors with mirrors, and a large drawer at the base.

You are welcome to come round to see it. £150. Tel: 07913 303859.

Bench style, ‘clic clac’ double bed settee.

Very useful item, works well as a sofa and also as a small double. Easy to use.

Sprung mattress, with a blue cover.

Black metal frame. In excellent used condition. You are welcome to come round and take a look. £52 ono. Tel: 07913 303859.

2 Italian bathroom wall cabinets. In original boxes brand new, for sale @ £50 each - good size unable to use after house move. Wood with mirror glass fronts. Tel: 07854 510385.

ELECTRICAL & GAS DeLonghi Magnifica Coffee and Espresso Machine. Bean to cup, 15 bar automatic.

Silver, 1.8l capacity, integrated grinder and frother. Comes with manual, stainless steel jug, thermometer and descaler. Excellent condition. £130. Tel: 07887 784162.

SPORTS Trampoline for exercise or children. Use inside or outside. 3 Feet across. New. £8. Delivery possible. Tel: 07986 812483.

Men’s black ski salopettes, size large.

Brand new, with label still attached.

Wind, rain and weather proof. £10. Tel: 01505 862066.

Boys blue two tone all in one ski suit for age 9/10. In excellent condition. Only worn for 5 days holiday abroad. £20.

Tel: 01505 862066.

TOYS Girls Early Rider wooden bike. Cost £130 new. Good condition. £40. Tel: 01505 672175.

Tidlo wooden country kitchen and accessories. Cost £120 new. Excellent condition, smoke free home. £40. Tel: 01505 672175.

Lego Duplo - ‘underbed‘ storage box of duplo, includes a mix of sets. £10. Tel: 07713 163639.

Looking for garage, shed, yard or piece of land to store 2 or 3 cars. Tel: 07939 810653.

Need an Apple Press - any other home brew equipment, any age / condition.

Tel: 07484 331973 or 01505 872210

BISHOPTON The Cornerstone, Greenock Road Bishopton Community Centre

FREE CYCLE

BROOKFIELD

I-Phone snappers: Do any of your favourite photos need attention to make them more acceptable for Printing/ Framing/showing to your family, etc. I offer this service free of charge using sophisticated editing software. For example: removal of features such as unwanted people, poles, wires, etc. Tel: 01505 613264 / 07984 774726 Tropical red tail catfish 9ins. Tel: 01505 320646.

16 Hanimex Rondex cassettes to fit Hanimex 35mm slide projector. I don’t want to bin them so if they can find a good home they are on a free transfer.

Tel: 01505 321720.

Greenhouse. Free to dismantle and uplift.

Aluminium frame and most glass intact.

10x8 feet approx. Tel: 07876 563768.

Brookfield Village Hall Main Entrance

usefuL NUMBERS 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 Inverclyde

01475 717171 www.inverclyde.gov.uk/ Renfrewshire 0300 300 0300 www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

POLICE Crimestoppers Police Scotland

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

KILBARCHAN Scout Hall Kilbarchan Bowling Club

LINWOOD Onyx Leisure Centre Spar, Clippens Road Asda

PAISLEY Asda Russell Institute

0800 555 111 01786 289070

ROADS R.A.L.F Traveline

BRIDGE OF WEIR Co-Op

Kilmacolm Library (rear of New Surgery) 111 0141 887 9111 01475 633777 0141 201 1100 0141 211 3000

COUNCILS

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

Coronation Street book. Celebrates 1960 - 1995 of the programme. Autographs of stars (copies). History of each character. £6. Tel: 07986 812483.

North Face Hiking Backpack, 55 Litre approx, green/black. Excellent condition. £30. Tel: 07775 867664.

2 Sleeping Bags (makes up to a double).

Newly cleaned. £12 ono. Tel: 01505 690610.

Hard Shell plastic boot liner for Audi Q3 (2015 model). £20. Tel: 07775 867664 .

Portable Saville Sceptre 6 Overhead Projector. Excellent fully working condition in carry case with cable. £30.

Tel: 07523 317093.

Four wheel lightweight Italian Case and Flight Bag, wine colour. £10 ono. Tel: 01505 690610.

Canon EOS 1000f SLR camera with Canon 28-90mm lens. Instruction booklet, cleaning kit and Canon carry case included. Great condition. £30.

Tel: 01505 672175.

DEFIBRILlATOR SITES

0800 37 36 35 0871 200 2233

QUARRIERS William Quarriers House at entrance to Faith Avenue Country View

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

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

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

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

Tel: Vince 01505 872082.

Collector wants model railways, any co n d i t i o n , t ra i n s , ro l l i n g sto c k , accessories. Also toy cars, etc. Not a dealer. Tel: 07939 810653.

Looking for old VHS Videos or DVDs. Tel: 07939 810653.

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Wednesday 12th fEBRUARY

Business directory

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk

BY CATEGORY ACCOUNTANTS & FINANCIAL

FUNERAL SERVICES

JOINERS

RESTAURANT & BARS

Affluent Financial Planning . . 16 Brewin Dolphin Glasgow . . . . . 17 CLA Accountancy Services . . . 16 Innovative Estate Planning Ltd . . 17 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 15 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 11

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 43 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 21 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 8 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 21 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 27 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 18

GARAGE DOORS & GATES Garolla Roller Shutter Doors . . 7

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

GARDEN SERVICE & DESIGN

CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 45 Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 45 CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 47 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 45 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 Lady Grafters Garden Services . . 47 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 R Williams Tree Services . . . 47 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47 West of Scotland Landscape . . 45

ART, GIFTS & FLOWERS Freelance Florist . . . . . . . . . 41

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

BATHROOMS Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5

BEDROOMS Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 9

BLACKSMITH & METALWORK McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 43

BUILDING SERVICES B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 43 BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 11 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 21 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 8 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 27 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 15 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 21 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 27 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 32

CARE SERVICES & HOMES Home Instead Senior Care . . . 27

CLEANING & POWERWASH Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 19 Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 20 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 9

COFFEE SHOPS Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 18

DRIVEWAYS A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

ELECTRICIANS GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Russell Milne Electrician . . 7

FENCING Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 43

GAS & HEATING SERVICES C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 15 Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 5 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 43 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 41 KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 21 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1

GLAZIER 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 11 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

HAIRDRESSERS & BARBERS Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 25 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 25

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 25 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 5 Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 37 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 7 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 35 Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

HOME HARDWARE Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

HOME IMPROVEMENTS 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 9 Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 45 CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 15 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Renfrewshire Handyman Hire . . 21

HOME INTERIORS Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 9 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 15

HOME SECURITY Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 27

FIREWOOD & LOGS LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 15 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Contact us!

RETAIL Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 23

ROOFING

KITCHENS

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 11 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 15 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 27 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 21 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 32

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 9 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 8 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 27

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1

KILT & DRESS HIRE Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 43

SOLICITORS

LEISURE & RECREATION

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 31

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

LOCKSMITHS

STOVES

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 15

PAINTERS & DECORATORS A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 19 Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 9 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Frewstons Decor . . . . . . . . . . . 29 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 10 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SL Painter & Decorator . . . . . 26

PC, WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

PEST CONTROL RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 41

PET SERVICES & TRAINING Fields of Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Kookie Kennels . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

PLASTERERS Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 15 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 21 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 27

PLUMBERS C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 15 Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 5 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 43 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 41 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 21

TAXIS ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

TILING Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 43 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

TRAVEL AGENTS Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3

TREE SURGEON Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 45 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 47 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 R Williams Tree Services . . . 47 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47

TV & SATELLITE Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 21 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 15

UPHOLSTERY SERVICES Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 20

WINDOW CLEANERS DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 19 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 20 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 20

WINDOW, CONSV & REPAIR 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A TO Z @ease Removals & Transport . . 15 1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 19 A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 45 A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 Affluent Financial Planning . . 16 Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 9 Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 45 Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 25 B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 43 Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 18 Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 5 Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Brewin Dolphin Glasgow . . . . . 17 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 11 Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 27 Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 15 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 9 C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 15 CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 CLA Accountancy Services . . . 16 Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 11 ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 9 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 47 Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 21 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 43 DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 19 Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 20 Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 37 Fields of Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Freelance Florist . . . . . . . . . 41 Frewstons Decor . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Garolla Roller Shutter Doors . . 7 Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 5 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 45 Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 43 Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 43 Home Instead Senior Care . . . 27 I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 43 Innovative Estate Planning Ltd . . 17 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 41 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 21 James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 8 JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 10 John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 John Roach Funeral Directors . . 11 KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 9 KC Roofing & Building Services . . 4 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 47 Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 15 Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 27 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Kookie Kennels . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Lady Grafters Garden Services . . 47 Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 21 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 20 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 43 McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 43 MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 7 Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 25 NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 35 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 15 PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 9 R Williams Tree Services . . . 47 Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 41 Renfrewshire Handyman Hire . . 21 Russell Milne Electrician . . 7 Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 SL Painter & Decorator . . . . . 26 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 Stewart Independent Financial . . 1 Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 31 SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 21 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 27 TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 23 Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 32 Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 West of Scotland Landscape . . 45

PROPERTY, SALES & LET Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk

REMOVALS @ease Removals & Transport . . 15

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