324 May 2022 - Gryffe Advertizer

pick up your free copy

No.324:

MAY 2022

1 2

LOCAL NEWS FOR: • BRIDGE OF WEIR • BROOKFIELD • HOUSTON • HOWWOOD • KILBARCHAN • KILMACOLM • LANGBANK • LOCHWINNOCH • QUARRIERS

3 4 5 6 7 8 01-44 COVER 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 1

21/04/2022 11:06:44

Next Deadline

Summer fun It’s that time of year when we hope for some great weather and a summer full of entertainment for kids and grown-ups alike. In this month’s issue, we have a varied mix with events on land and water, and hopefully something that will appeal to everyone.

Some of these events date back many years and are steeped in history, others are more recent additions to the calendar. They run like clockwork - weather permitting. All thanks to a small army of volunteers who give of their time to gather in the wee dark hours of the winter to plan, organise and fundraise.

Cover Image: Mushrooms

by David Scott, PCPC

Contact us: 01505 613 340 info@advertizer.co.uk www.advertizer.co.uk GryffeAds GryffeAds GryffeAdvertizer 1st floor, Neva Place Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN

Office Hours: Tues - Thurs 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 1pm Previous issues available online

Perhaps you feel that you would like to get involved and be a part of our local annual events. Your involvement will be rewarding for yourself and the area, so why not become a part of your local community and offer your services.

Find out what’s coming with details in our ‘What’s On’ section. Apologies if we’ve missed any. We keep our website and Facebook/Twitter pages up to date with events and news, so please ‘like’ us, ‘follow’ us and bookmark our web page to get the latest information.

#325 June 2022: 11th May

In this issue...

HIstory

06 & 19

It’s a knockout!!!

08

coming events

12-15

local shows return

15

village news

16-27

local councillors

16

defibrillator sites

18

gryffe valley rotary

20

schools & Sports

28-33

The Advertizer is the ideal platform to communicate with your community as we reach over 10,000 homes and businesses in the Gryffe area.

local bookshop and author

Send your news and photos by email to: info@advertizer.co.uk or by post to: The Advertizer Neva Place Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN

outdoors

34-39

The walk

36

Sales & wants

40

Classified ads

41

business directory

42

Next deadline: Wednesday 11 May!

Shop local - Support your community!

30

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. © The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd 2022 Printed in Glasgow and delivered by a local team.

McAllister Litho Glasgow are committed to minimising their impact on the environment caused by their use of natural resources and the waste and pollution they create. www.mlg.co.uk/environment/

local community, local business, local life .........

02-05 INTRO 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 2

2

21/04/2022 11:53:36

RAF Air Cadets If you’re a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports and getting to know people then look no further. Every year nearly 56,000 air cadets and volunteer staff take part in exciting events all over the country.

Aside from flying, sports, target shooting, adventure training and great fun? You’ll soon find that being an air cadet is its own reward - you constantly see the benefits of your own efforts, building on your achievements and earning BTECs and DoE Awards.

You’ll be expected to take part in as many of the activities we run as possible, but with what’s on offer you won’t need much persuading!

We have high standards to maintain as we are a ‘military’ youth organisation and you’ll naturally take pride in your uniform (we supply that) and appearance. You’ll be well mannered and self-disciplined.

You’ll be joining an organisation of which you’ll be very proud.

1701 (Johnstone) Squadron is open to young people aged 12 (+S1) to 17.

We are located on Canal Street, Johnstone where meet each Monday and Wednesday from 19.30 to 21.30 hours.

Those interested in joining us can get in touch via Facebook using the QR Code.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

02-05 INTRO 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 3

May 2022

3

21/04/2022 11:53:40

Affluent sponsors local football team Affluent Financial Group community fund has paid for a new football kit for Bridge of Weir United. Both the senior boys and the juniors have a brandnew kit for the start of this season. “We are delighted to give back to our local community” stated Kitty Stirling, practice manager at Affluent.

The Affluent community fund offers grants to local community groups and small charities – further details can be found at https://www.affluentfp.co.uk/community-fund

Neilston Agricultural Show Saturday 7th May 8am - 4.30pm Neilston Showfield, Uplawmoor Rd, Holehouse, Neilston G78 3QR Adults £6 / Children & Senior £3 / Family (2+2) £15 / Parking £3 With many different breeds of cattle on show, ranging from the dairy section which are Ayrshire, Holstein Friesians and Jerseys to the beef cattle, Highlanders and Aberdeen Angus, which are native to Scotland. The continental beef breeds, Simmental, Charolais and Limousins. The sheep classes offer many different breeds also, all different shapes, colours and sizes.

The horse world is also well attended with lots of classes to satisfy every different breed.

Take some time to look at all the different stalls, there could be a bargain there for you! There is an educational dome which has a large range of interesting stands inside, as well as some lovely animals, and as if that’s still not enough, why don’t you visit the homecraft tent to see the local ladies’ talents with baking, flower arranging and many other crafts

local community, local business, local life .........

02-05 INTRO 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 4

4

21/04/2022 11:53:49

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

02-05 INTRO 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 5

May 2022

5

21/04/2022 11:53:53

The history spot

Volunteers Needed

The Kilbarchan Linen Merchants, 3 Barbour Family Descendants in Ireland, USA and England

Do you have a little spare time each week?

Have you ever thought about volunteering? Giving just a few hours a week of your time can make a real difference to people in Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire.

In Ireland John Barbour (1752?- 1823), a younger member of the Kilbarchan Barbour family built Plantation House and set up a linen thread manufactory at Ballymullen, near Lisburn, Co. Down, in 1784. His son William built Hilden Mill in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, in 1824 and later built workers’ houses and a school for workers’ children at the factory gate. His firm William Barbour and Sons operated for almost 200 years. It closed in 2006.

In the 1850s William sent his sons, Thomas and Samuel, to America as import agents for his threads manufactured in the Hilden Mill. This venture met with considerable success, and the Barbours Wm. Barbour & Sons, Hilden Mill. Lisburn bought large mills in Paterson, New Jersey. Business prospered and expanded. By 1888 William Barbour and Sons had become ‘the largest manufacturer in the world of tailors’ thread and shoemakers’ thread for hand and machine sewing’. The American Barbours became millionaires. However, they appear never to have forgotten their Scottish roots. In 1910 Robert Edwards Barbour, a grandson of William Barbour of Hilden, built a 42 room mansion house on his estate in Paterson, New Jersey, and named it ‘Kilbarchan’.

The three sons of Humphrey Barbour (Baillie John Barbour’s youngest son) set up prosperous businesses in England. Humphrey’s eldest son John Barbour became a Liverpool shipping agent, and his second son Robert Barbour, in partnership with the youngest son, George Kilbarchan Mansion House, Paterson, New Jersey Freeland Barbour, became a cotton merchant in Manchester. Robert Barbour amassed a large fortune and is remembered as a generous benefactor to the city of Manchester. George Freeland Barbour later returned to Scotland and resided in Gryffe Castle in Bridge of Weir.

Around 1900 the Irish Barbours’ business interests later extended back to Renfrewshire in Scotland. John Doherty Barbour, the eldest son of William of Hilden, was the inspirational founder of the Linen Thread Co Ltd in 1898.

This company was an amalgamation of thirteen firms in Ireland, Scotland and America. One of the three Scottish firms was Finlayson Bousfield & Co Ltd in Johnstone. © 2022 Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum

St Vincent’s Hospice provides specialist care to people and families living with life limiting conditions and at the end of life.

We are currently looking for the following new volunteers: Retail Assistants Volunteer – Gain retail experience or just have fun meeting other people helping in one of our busy charity shops in Bridge of Weir, Lochwinnoch, Johnstone or Paisley.

Reception Volunteer (Clinical) – Welcome patients and visitors to the hospice, guide them through our registration process and provide them signposting to relevant services. You will also provide minor clinical administration to support the clinical teams.

Online Retail (ebay) Volunteer- Assist in selecting, listing and preparing items for sale on our new eBay shop.

Please call 01505 705635 or email volunteering@svh.co.uk for more information. Register online to volunteer at www.svh.co.uk/volunteer

Gourock Highland Games Sunday 8th May from 12noon at Battery Park, Eldon Street, Greenock PA16 7QG - This is a free event.

An important date in the Scottish calendar, it’s the first games after the winter and a chance to celebrate sports, music and dancing outdoors against the scenic backdrop of the firth of Clyde and Argyll hills beyond.

The Games begin at 12 o’clock and entry is free, so put it in the diary now and join us for a great family day out.

See heavy competitors throw the Kempock Stane, hear the Pipe Band competitions and watch the Highland Dancers, all in a stunning setting with the River Clyde as the back drop.

This year we welcome George McLeary as Chieftain.

Let The Games Begin!

local community, local business, local life .........

06-11 FEATURES 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 6

6

21/04/2022 12:02:02

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

06-11 FEATURES 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 7

May 2022

7

21/04/2022 12:02:06

Come and join the newest Ardgowan Hospice event - It’s a Knockout!!!

Join us on Saturday 28th May at Wanderers RFC for an afternoon of fun, laughs, excitement and more.

The perfect antidote to the last few years of isolation and restrictions, It’s a Knockout will be a great way to have fun with colleagues, friends and family.

Registration is £100 per team - that’s just £10 per person and we ask each team of 10 to raise a suggested £1,000 in sponsorship for Ardgowan Hospice.

Upon registration a fundraising page will automatically be set up for you and your team so you can start raising money for your local hospice. The fundraising team will also be in touch to support you along the way.

To enter visit https://ardgowanhospice.org.uk/event/itsaknockout22/ or email: fundraising@ardhos.co.uk

local community, local business, local life .........

06-11 FEATURES 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 8

8

21/04/2022 12:02:11

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

06-11 FEATURES 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 9

May 2022

9

21/04/2022 12:02:15

local community, local business, local life .........

06-11 FEATURES 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 10

10

21/04/2022 12:02:17

Christian Aid Week 15th-21st May Christian Aid believes that everyone is equal in the sight of God. Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive.

For more than 75 years Christian Aid has been helping the poorest communities in the world by providing practical support and campaigning for justice. It supports people of all faiths and none. The horrendous situation developing in Ukraine is a chilling reminder of the circumstances which led to Christian Aid being founded all those years ago – the refugee crisis following the second world war. As a founder member of DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) it is ensuring support is given to today’s Ukrainian refugees.

Christian Aid currently works with some of the world’s most vulnerable communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. The triple-whammy of climate change, COVID, and the disruption to world food supplies caused by the invasion of Ukraine means these communities need our help now more than ever.

Over the years, Bridge of Weir residents have been tremendously supportive of Christian Aid. The pandemic has disrupted our traditional house-to-house collection in recent years. This year we hope to do a limited house-to-house collection. But if you don’t get an envelope delivered to you, please make an online donation using our dedicated Bridge of Weir “e-envelope”: Please go to www.envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/ bridge-of-weir or just scan this QR code to go straight to the envelope. (For more information about Christian Aid please visit: www.christianaid.org.uk)

Christian Aid Kilbarchan and Brookfield We shall again be delivering donation envelopes throughout Kilbarchan and Brookfield during Christian Aid Week and ask folk to return their donations to the Kilbarchan Church Hall on Saturday or Sunday 21st / 22nd May, or to drop off at the offices of Brookfield Alarms during the week. Donations can also be made electronically via the JustGiving page on the church website www. Kilbarchankirk.org In addition to this, there will be a fundraiser on Wednesday 18th May at 7:30pm. In the Church Hall, Steeple Square, Kilbarchan, when there will be an illustrated talk on “A journey through Scotland’s mountains”.

There is more information about the event in this issue of the Advertizer.

Entry is by donation, with all proceeds going to Christian Aid’s work in some of the poorest communities in the world.

Kilbarchan and Brookfield have been generous supporters of Christian Aid Week in the past and we hope that this will continue.

A Journey through Scotland’s Mountains Wednesday 18th May 7.30pm - Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Square, PA10 2JD - admission by donation to Christian Aid. An illustrated talk leading you through Scotland’s mountains - their characteristics, history, wildlife – with personal reflections on journeys taken among them.

• Discover the Gaelic origins of names such as Ben Lomond, Ben Nevis and more.

• Discover why there is a Scottish mountain named “Peak of the Spaniards”.

• Who spared Queen Victoria`s blushes, and why ?

For more information, contact Alasdair on 07961 231390, or visit the Church website www.kilbarchankirk.org. A selection of Fairtrade goods will be on sale at the interval.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

06-11 FEATURES 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 11

Advertising Feature

Spring time turns our attention to pressure washing and softwashing ready for the Summer ahead. With over 20 years experience of exterior cleaning systems, we are your local qualified and experienced cleaning company with the state of the art equipment, knowledge and experience to achieve the best results. Whether it is softwashing moss on roofs, algae from render, pressure washing decking, patios, monoblock drives or anything in between, please give us a call for free, friendly information on our services or for a free quotation.

01505 863 863

www.nutechcleaning.co.uk May 2022

11

21/04/2022 12:02:20

coming events IN

MAY

FRIDAY 29TH - SATURDAY 30TH APRIL Paisley Food & Drink Festival

Next Deadline... #325 June 2022: 11th May

SUNDAY 1ST

The 2022 Scottish local elections are due to take place as part of the 2022 United Kingdom local elections.

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley Fri 4 - 10pm, Sat 12 - 9pm Great street food, Renfrewshire CAMRA beer tent, live music, children’s workshops and much, much more! This is a free event

FRIDAY 29TH APRIL - MONDAY 2ND MAY Paisley Opera’s ‘A Paisley Kiss’ Production Central Rd Paisley PA1 1EN 7pm Mascagni’s masterpiece about love and betrayal. Bookings: www. oneren.org/whats-on/ In-person ticket sales at Bianco e Nero Coffee Shop, 27 Gauze St, Paisley or White Cart Co 30B High St.

SATURDAY 30TH APRIL Three Sisters Theatre Fundraising Showcase CC’s - Callum’s Cavern, 66 Old Sneddon St, Paisley PA3 2AP 7pm A cabaret showcase of our talented members - all singing, dancing, and with a bit of drag. There will also be a raffle and a variety of games!

Kilmacolm Plant Sale Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 10am to 12noon In aid of Pancreatic Cancer Scotland & Scotlands Gardens Scheme.

Admission by donation. The sale will be at TheCross outside the Library and Cargill Centre.

Paisley Sinfonia Spring Concert Johnstone Town Hall 7:30pm With conductor Leon Reimer, Leader of orchestra Fiona Butcher.

Ticket cost £10 (£5 for school pupils) available from orchestra members, at the door or by emailing: secretary@paisleysinfonia.org.uk

Cass Art, 63 - 67 Queen Street, Glasgow G13 ENF

Come along to Jeff’s very first solo art exhibition (he only picked up paint brushes a few years ago) and view his stunning work. Originals and prints will both be for sale.

TUESDAY 3RD Foodbank Donations

Spring Sketching Sessions RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch

Every Tuesday

KCC Village Clean Up Carriages Car Park, Kilmacolm 10:30am If you wish to take part, please email secretary@kilmacolmcc.co.uk. We welcome all volunteers for however long you can stay. Litter pickers and high viz provided.

Did you know...

We publish news articles throughout our magazine and events in our diary dates for FREE!

Paisley & District u3a’s forthcoming speakers Salvation Army, Mill St, Paisley 2pm Rosalind Holmes with East Renfrewshire u3a discusses “It is in your genes “ Have fun and it’s free.

THURSDAY 5TH MONDAY 2ND - FRIDAY 13TH Outlook - The Skelpies Ukelele Scotland in Oil - by local group from Clydeside Singers Houston Artist Jeff Hewitson Kidston Hall, High Street,

West Church Halls, Main Street, Houston 10 am – 12 noon & 7 – 8 pm

Bring out your creative side at our sketching sessions. For info call 01505 842663 or email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk we are also on Facebook and Twitter.

THURSDAY 5TH Scottish Local Elections

WEDNESDAY 4TH Kilbarchan Eco-Forum Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 7:30pm This is a community event hosted by the Parish Church Eco Group to share ideas and information (with tea and coffee). Guest speakers are Fraser Millar (until recently worked for Zero Waste Scotland and Fiona Catterson (represented of Eco congregation Scotland.

“Not Quite the Carnival” West Church Halls, Main Street, Houston 2pm to 4pm Fun event for all the family

Kilmacolm 2pm to 3:30pm Activities and chat, followed by a delicious homemade afternoon tea organised by the team. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends to OUTLOOK.

SATURDAY 7TH Viano Interiors “famous lucky dip” Viano Interiors, Main St, Bridge of Weir PA11 3NR 10am to 7pm Come along to our Summer event where you can receive up to 30% off your entire purchase on this day only. Glass of fizz on arrival.

Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society Plant Sale Livery Walk, Bridge of Weir 9am to 12noon Bedding plants from Parklea Nursery in Port Glasgow. Members will have herbaceous, perennial and vegetable plants for sale.

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society Plant Sale Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 10am to 12noon Parklea Nurseries will be supplying top quality bedding & vegetable plants. Please pop along, enjoy coffee/ cakes & leave with planting for your garden this summer.

local community, local business, local life .........

12-15 EVENTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 12

12

21/04/2022 11:22:46

EVENT INFORMATION:

Check with the venue/organiser. Where we can, we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events.

SUNDAY 8TH Muddy Church Session

SATURDAY 14TH Jazz Forward

SATURDAY 14TH - SUNDAY 15TH & SATURDAY 21ST - SUNDAY 22ND The annual Plant Sale is back!

Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 10:30am

Lochwinnoch Golf Club Burnfoot Rd, PA12 4AN 7:30pm

Masonic Hall, Glebe Road, Kilmacolm 9am to 4pm each day (may change dependant on demand)

The session is based around Psalm 23. Children or families welcome to join us as long as they have an adult with them. If successful we may run further sessions in the future.

More information available on our website - www. muddychurch.co.uk

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival, in partnership with Scotland on Tour.

For info visit Lochwinnoch Arts Festival on Facebook. Tickets £12 www.scotlandontour.com/venue/ lochwinnoch-golf-club/

MONDAY 9TH Meddle & Mend Workshop Remode, 43b High St, Paisley 7pm to 9pm Garment mending workshop.

No experience necessary, all equipment provided.

Limited capacity, booking essential. £3.50. Call 0141 258 1625

WEDNESDAY 11TH Advertizer Issue Deadline If you would like anything published in our next issue, please email info@advertizer.co.uk or call the office on 01505 613340.

THURSDAY 12TH Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society Gardening Club Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 8pm Members will have visited the Enva site and will explain how they tackle recycling garden waste. If you’re interested in recycling, as well as gardening, please join us..

FRIDAY 13TH

BGCP Comic & Toy Market: Paisley The Paisley Centre 10am to 4pm Comics, Graphic Novels, Pins, Art, Funko Pops, Action Figures, Mystery Bags, Pins, Trading Cards, D&D, Keyrings, T-Shirts, Statues, Anime & much more. Free Entry.

SUNDAY 15TH Scotland’s Gardens Scheme - Gardens open for charity Highwood by Kilmacolm, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 2pm to 5pm Walk around 50acres of native bluebells, primroses and wild garlic with tumbling waterfalls.

Admission £4, children free. In aid of Orkidstudio & SGS beneficiaries. www.scotlandsgardens.org

Birds & Birdsong for Beginners RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 10am to 0:30pm Cost: £12 (RSPB members £9.50) plus 50p booking fee. For more info call – 01505 842663 or email us on lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk we are also on Facebook & twitter

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

12-15 EVENTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 13

Come along and see our wonderful variety of plants.

Arkleston Singers Concert May 2022 Paisley South Church, 123 Rowan Street, Paisley, PA2 6RZ Musical Director Marcus Kitchen, Accompanist Michal Gajzler Seascape: Madrigals - Motets - Popular - Folk. A selection of songs spanning five centuries with Timothy Edmundson (Baritone) The Arkleston Chamber Ensemble Tickets £10, available at the door, by calling 07398 102607 or online at www.wegottickets.com Raffle: A chance to win a hamper of Scottish Food and Drink. Proceeds in aid of Choir Funds and Nordoff Robbins, the music therapy charity.

The Arkleston Singers are a small mixed voice chamber choir based in Paisley. Plans for the 40th Anniversary concert in 2020 had to be cancelled due to lockdown, however, the members remained active during this period, returning to live rehearsal in September 2021. www.arklestonsingers.org.uk

Scottish Charity Number SCO32807

MONDAY 16TH - TUESDAY 31ST Great Gnome Hunt - self-led activity for families RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch Some of our helpful wildlife loving gnomes have hidden along our woodland trail. Can you help find them? Search for the gnomes along the trail using the special gnome hunting guide sheet available from the visitor centre.

Can you also spot some of our other wildlife as you go? Look around near where the gnomes are hiding to help you find any of their favourite wildlife.

Cost: £3 plus entry fees for non-members. [Normal entry fees for nonmembers £3 per adult, £1.50 per child]

May 2022

13

21/04/2022 11:22:51

Farmers Markets SATURDAY 7TH Kilmacolm

Kilmacolm Community Centre 10am to 2pm First Saturday of each month. /kilmacolmfarmersmarket

SATURDAY 14TH & 28TH Paisley

The Paisley Centre 10am to 2pm

/ p a g e s / Pa i s l e y - Fa r m e r s Market/207097172654332

SUNDAY 8TH Renfrew

Robertson Park PA14 8LY 10am to 4pm Second Sunday of each month. /RenfrewMarket

SATURDAY 15TH Bishopton and Dargavel

Bishopton Train Station Car Park 10am to 2pm Third Saturday of each month. /The-Bishopton-DargavelFa r m e r s - M a r k e t 109902924512969

SUNDAY 29TH Erskine Riverside

Erskine Waterfront PA8 7AF 10am to 4pm Last Sunday of each month. /Erskine-Riverside-Market101613198665127

SATURDAY 28TH Gourock Gourock Train Station Car Park 10am to 2pm Last Saturday of each month. /The-Gourock-Farmers-Market112064558070104

WEDNESDAY 18TH SUNDAY 22ND A Journey through Gryffe valley rotary 10k Scotland’s Mountains Houston Public Park

SATURDAY 28TH

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 7:30pm

All abilities welcome. Register online runabc.co.uk/e/rotary-clubof-gryffe-valley-10k-980

An illustrated talk leading you through Scotland’s mountains. Call Alasdair on 07961 231390 or visit the website www.kilbarchankirk.org.

Fairtrade goods will be on sale.

It’s a Knockout!!!

TUESDAY 24TH Wanderers RFC, HOUSTON DEMENTIA FRIENDLY Greenock Octavia Terrace, Greenock NATURE WALKS AND ACTIVITIES PA16 7PX

THURSDAY 19TH Outlook - Chelsea Flower Show Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 3:30pm

Houston & Killellan Kirk 1pm – 3pm Last Tuesday of every month

SATURDAY 28TH

Battery Park Eldon Street, Greenock PA16 7QG 10am to 6pm In conjunction with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. Free Entry.

SUNDAY 29TH Bend It Like Bertie Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre, 8 Steeple Square, 7:30pm

This weeks chat Chelsea Flower Show plus arrangements of flower bouquets We look forward to welcoming you.

SATURDAY 21ST British Pipe Band Championships

To enter visit ardgowanhospice. org.uk/event/itsaknockout22/ or email: fundraising@ardhos.co.uk

In Your Face Portraits Exhibition Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 9am to 3pm

Starring Des McLean as Bertie Auld and River City’s Jimmy Chisholm. Tickets from www. seetickets.com/event/bend-it-likebertie/memorial-hall/2292312 £19.80 including booking fee (£1 from each ticket will go to Football Memories Scotland).

Local artist, Rab Wilson. Please visit: www.inyourfaceportraits.co.uk

SUNDAY 22ND Scotland’s Gardens Scheme - Gardens open for charity Perch Corner, 25 Stanely Crescent, Paisley PA2 9LF 2pm to 5pm Overlooking Stanely Reservoir and beyond to the Gleniffer Braes.

Admission £4, children free. In aid of ParkinsonsUKandSGSbeneficiaries. www.scotlandsgardens.org

The Kilbarchan Singers 40th Anniversary Concert Kilbarchan Parish Church, Church Street, Kilbarchan 7:30pm Tickets £10 includes refreshments, available from choir members, from Bobbins, or call 01505 344471.

Supporting Accord Hospice who share this anniversary year with us.

The Fox and Hounds and the Houston Inn are teaming up to bring you the biggest festival Houston has ever seen on Saturday 28th May! £3 on the day.

It’s official! It’s been 3 years in the making...

The Fox and Hounds and the Houston Inn are teaming up to bring you the biggest festival Houston has ever seen!

More details to follow in the coming months regarding confirmed live music acts, beers & breweries and more! Be sure to follow this event to keep up to date with all the info about what’s happening at both venues!

This a major public exhibition by Outspoken Arts Scotland, taking place in the former Co-op department store with 3 massive open plan exhibition floors. It is open to anyone aged 8+ who considers themselves an artist and whose work may be suitable for exhibition. Work can be in any medium, drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed-media, digital art, film, video, photography, performance, or live art with most artwork for sale.

Deadline for entries: 31st May

Doors will open to visitors from 26th August until 26th November, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm daily. outspokenarts.org/bigartshow

local community, local business, local life .........

12-15 EVENTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 14

14

21/04/2022 11:22:55

Neilston Agricultural Show saturday 7th May

Holehouse, Neilston 8am - 4.30pm Various stalls, educational dome, homecraft tent etc and obviously all your favourite farm animals on show.

Gourock Highland Games Battery Park, 12pm (free entry) Heavy competitors, Pipe Band competitions and Highland Dancers. Visit facebook.com/GourockHighlandGames/

sunday 8th May

The Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Show saturday 14th May

The Knapps, Kilmacolm We are very excited to be back on the showfield this year!

Schedules & applications: www.kilmacolmshow.org/

Bridge of Weir Gala Day Houston Road Park, Bridge of Weir For further information visit facebook.com/Bridge-of-WeirFestivals-112570363493444

saturday 11th June

Lochwinnoch Gala Day saturday 11th june

Lochwinnoch Public Park, Lochwinnoch Starts with the parade leaving from Auld Simon down to the park. Visit facebook.com/Lochwinnochgala/

Lilias Day Party in the Park Kilbarchan Public Park, Lochwinnoch No parade this year, but we promise to come back bigger and better next year! www.liliasday.co.uk

saturday 11th june

Kilbarchan Agricultural Show saturday 18th june

Roadside Field, Monkland Farm, Kilbarchan, PA10 2TP More information online: www.kilbarchanshow.co.uk/

FREEkidsactivities,bouncycastles,licensedbar,andvillagepubs Tug O’ War. facebook.com/events/3130917877171965/

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

12-15 EVENTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 15

Starring Des McLean as Bertie Auld and River City’s Jimmy Chisholm.

Denise Mullen is a divorced mother of two teenagers, cares for her elderly father and has an extremely stressful job. The only thing that is keeping Denise sane is her beloved Celtic. They are stockpiling trophies and Denise knows just how it feels to be Celtic!

Danny Mullen is footloose and fancy free and looking forward to the New Year. The only thing that is getting Danny down is his beloved Celtic. Both Celtic and Danny have forgotten what a trophy looks like and Danny knows just how it feels to be Celtic!

Follow the antics of Denise and Danny in the new comedy play, “Bend it like Bertie” to see if Bertie can help make their wishes come true.

Howwood Village Fete Howwood Primary School, Howwood

Sunday 29th May, Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan

saturday 18th june

Tickets price at £19.80 (includes booking fee) with £1 from each ticket going to Football Memories Scotland. Tickets available from tickets.ents24.com/ event/bend-it-like-bertie/memorial-hall/2292312?inf=02da603e76797b5b or www.seetickets.com/event/bend-it-like-bertie/memorial-hall/2292312

May 2022

15

21/04/2022 11:22:58

village news

Next Deadline... #325 June 2022: 11th May

The Bridge 63 Main Street, Bridge of Weir

Your Local COUNCILLORS www.thebridgebridgeofweir.com

Summer is fast approaching with the hope of sunny weather. It will give us time to stop and enjoy the colour provided by the plants in the front and side gardens of The Bridge. Thank you to Brighter Bridge of Weir for their work and skill in ensuring the garden looks its best. Thank you also to the dedicated group who attend to our back garden. The benches at the top of the pathway are just the place for enjoying the sunshine while chatting to friends.

Volunteers - continuing with our thanks - we must thank our dedicated band of volunteers who so ably serve our customers. Without them we could not provide our service. Being a volunteer is a great way of meeting new people. How about joining our team?

Customers - thank you for supporting The Bridge. Your custom enables us to provide the vital services of the Post Office.

Greetings Cards and Stationery - due to strong sales we are continually restocking our selection of cards for all occasions. As with all items, the wholesale cost of cards is increasing. We do, however, endeavour to keep the selling price at our usual competitive rate. Our sales of postal items and stationery are going well. We continue to keep our stock levels up despite the lack of visits from our usual sales representatives. The internet is a very useful tool!!

Post Office - The usual postal services are provided during opening hours. Thank you to Donald, Alison and Fiona for their dedication to serving our customers.

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

Cllr Derek Bibby: cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1274 | 07534 156 007

Cllr Bill Binks: cllr.bill.binks@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1423 | 07976 239 881

Cllr Andy Doig: cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk 07534 148 224

Cllr Emma Rodden: cllr.emma.rodden@renfrewshire.gov.uk 300 300 1431

WARD 10:

HOUSTON, CROSSLEE & LINWOOD www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Cllr Audrey Doig:

(Opening Hours: Mon – 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Tues to Sat – 10am to 1pm.

Please welcome Rachael of ‘Shampoodle Grooming Salon’

WARD 9:

JOHNSTONE NORTH, KILBARCHAN, HOWWOOD & LOCHWINNOCH

cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk 07768 130 935

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Cllr Alison Jean Dowling: cllr.alison.dowling@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1419

Cllr Scott Kerr:

With 5 years experience Rachael is fully insured, canine first aid trained and confident and talented in grooming all breeds. She also offers handstripping. Rachael is owned by 2 huskies so is very experienced with large dogs! She is fitting in well to the ethos of Suzanne’s Grooming Pad.

cllr.scott.kerr@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1424

Cllr James Sheridan: cllr.james.sheridan@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1425

WARD 11:

BISHOPTON, LANGBANK & BRIDGE OF WEIR www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

Cllr James MacLaren: cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1291

Cllr Natalie Don: natalie.don.msp@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1426

For bookings & enquiries, call 07747 468095.

Cllr Colin McCulloch: cllr.colin.mcculloch@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1427

Muddy Church Session Sunday 8th May

St Aidan’s Annual Fete

Freeland Sunday school are trying out Muddy Church for the first time in The Glen. We will be meeting around 10.30am whatever the weather. The session is based around Psalm 23.

St Aidan’s Church grounds, Tower Road, Johnstone Fun for all the family - Bouncy Castle, Beat the Goalie, Wheel of Fortune, To m b o l a , Jubilee Teas, Big Prize Raffle and much much more.

We would be delighted for any children or families to join us as long as they have an adult with them. If it goes well, we might hope to run further sessions or trails in the future. If you are interested look up www.muddychurch.co.uk

WARD 1:

Saturday 4th June from 11am- 2pm

INVERCLYDE EAST www.inverclyde.gov.uk/

Cllr Christopher Curley: christopher.curley@inverclyde.gov.uk 07768 460073 | 01475 712370

Cllr Stephen McCabe: Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov.uk 01475 712 020 (office hours)

Cllr David Wilson: david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk 01475 741969 | 01475 712727 | 07766 992 294

local community, local business, local life .........

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 16

16

21/04/2022 12:07:46

brookfield

What’s on

May ‘22

village hall

New Karate ClasS: Johnstone Tora Kai Karate Club. Adults and children welcome (min. age 7 yrs) Instructor - Sensei James Edgar 4th Dan. Registered and licenced with Scottish Karate Governing Body, fully insured and PVG approved. Gradings held on an ongoing basis.

07920 192439 or Class times:

Johnstone Tora-Kai Karate Facebook page.

Monday 7.30pm - 8.30pm Thursday 5.50pm - 6.50pm

Zumba®:

A total workout, combining all elements of fitness: cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, resulting in boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome.

Gemma gems_paisley@hotmail.com Class times:

Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Ballroom/Latin:

Ballroom Basics with Stewart & Jane Wilson. New members welcome. Private/Wedding First Dance lessons available.

Stewart 07710 464 969 Class times:

ballroombasics@live.co.uk

Thursday 7pm - 8pm (Beginners) Thursday 8pm - 9pm (Intermediate) Friday 7pm - 8.30pm (Beginners) Saturday 11am - 12.30pm (Mixed Ability)

Yogabellies:

Both classes are suitable for all levels of experience including none at all! Limited places available.

Lyndsey yogabellieslyndsey@outlook.com Class times:

Sunday 6.30pm - 7.45pm, YogaBellies for Pregnancy Monday 10am - 11am, YogaBellies for Mum & Baby

brookfieldvillage.org

brookfieldvpa@gmail.com @BrookfieldVPA

ward 11 cllr colin mcculloch

With Covid restrictions now being lifted, hopefully we can look forward to a healthy and prosperous 2022.

I have been busy working on various issues throughout the Ward, ranging from the usual issues of repairs to parks, roads and pavements to helping local residents prepare to take in Ukrainian refugees fleeing the terrible conflict in their home country.

The generosity of our communities has heartened me, and I know we will all welcome our neighbours when they arrive.

The Council Roads Department has outlined a full list of roads and footways to be included in the budget for 2022/23 – full details of these for Ward 11 are on my Facebook page. I am particularly pleased to see Park Road scheduled for resurfacing. The road surface here is in an appalling state and the repeated temporary fixes have often lasted little more than a week or so, causing expensive damage to vehicles unable to avoid the craterous potholes. A priority focus for me if I am re-elected will be to press upon the Council to improve the quality of repairs so that repeated works are not needed. Clevans Road footway is also due to be resurfaced and I know many of you will be glad to hear it, as it has been a frequent issue raised to me.

This is my final article of the current Council term, with the local government elections taking place on 5th May. I have thoroughly enjoyed and been honoured by the privilege of serving as one of your Councillors in the area in which I grew up. I hope that I have helped in some way to improve our local area. I am seeking re-election and hope you can support me as I seek another term.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 17

May 2022

17

21/04/2022 12:07:51

ward 10

cllr alison Ann-dowling

I focus on the priorities that matter to you and your family, such as the condition of the roads in Houston, Crosslee and Brookfield. Neuk and Brent Crescent are some of the roads that have been added to the resurfacing schedule following representations I made to the council.

The council also agreed to my request to bring forward the resurfacing of the worst stretch of Barochan Road.

To support residents living near the CALA Woodend House development, I engage with CALA to seek solutions to any issues raised. This has produced results from reducing noise levels when working on a Saturday, to the donation of a defibrillator unit to be fitted near the Co-operative shop in Crosslee.

Community foodbanks have focused minds on the issue of food poverty. It’s unacceptable that many households struggle to put food on the table. I’ve submitted a motion to the council to prioritise food justice as part of its cost of living crisis response.

Local buses provide a lifeline for communities, ensuring people have an affordable way to travel to school, work, the shops and vital health services, but services are now inadequate and must be tackled. For example, a Houston constituent told me that “there isn’t a direct bus into Paisley, now we have to take a Glasgow bus to Linwood then wait for a bus into Paisley. For over 40 years a regular bus ran along the Georgetown Road and it was always a well used service. Getting to the RAH now involves taking 3 buses.” Inadequate bus services shut people out of employment, education and healthcare and has consequences for our environment. I’ll continue to back better buses for Houston, Crosslee and Brookfield.

Should I be re-elected on May 5th, your real-life concerns will continue to be my focus as your councillor.

ward 10

Contact info:

07976 239 758 cllr.alison.dowling@renfrewshire.gov.uk

cllr audrey doig

I have been very active in the last month on two local issues of long standing which impact on road safety and indeed personal safety too. These are the need for a Zebra crossing outwith Gryffe High School on Old Bridge of Weir Road, and the need for Barratts to repair the street lights at Weir’s Wynd just outside Brookfield.

Recently a Gryffe High pupil was injured whilst crossing Old Bridge of Weir Road, to the extent emergency services were called, so I have written to council officers asking them to install a zebra crossing to make this walking route to school much safer. Many of the residents have continually asked for a crossing and I absolutely agree with them 100%. Local residents and the school community all need greater reassurance and a greater sense of safety and I aim to try and secure that for them.

I am incandescent that housing developers, Barretts, who built the new Weir’s Wynd development just outside Brookfield, are failing residents, taking over a year to repair several dark lights at the estate which they damaged during construction. I am demanding that Barrett Housing give Renfrewshire Council an immediate timescale and budget for the repair of a length of street lights at the edge of the Weir’s Wynd development. This is a health and safety risk for both drivers and residents which needs addressed. No less than five site meetings have been held over the last year between council officers and Barretts, and the Council is very keen to get these lights repaired, yet Barretts have continually dragged their feet. The fight continues.

Surgeries: Thurs 19th May, Brookfield Village Hall, 6.30pm & Thurs 26th May, TESCO Café, Linwood, 6.30pm

Contact info:

07768 130 935 cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Local Publicsites defibrillator DEFIBRILlATOR SITES BISHOPTON

• The Cornerstone, Greenock Rd • Bishopton Community Centre

BROOKFIELD • Brookfield Village Hall (main ent.)

BRIDGE OF WEIR • Co-Op • Old Ranfurly Golf Club • Ranfurly Castle Golf Club • Gate House, Bridge of Weir Leather Works

ELDERSLIE • Elderslie Golf Club

HOUSTON • Outside Church Hall, Main St • Co-Op • Strathgryffe Squash & Fitness Club (Reception) • Old telephone box, Houston Rd, Crosslee

HOWWOOD • Howwood Hall, Station Road • Christ the King Church, Bowfield Rd • The Boarding House (opening hrs)

JOHNSTONE • Keystore, Spateston • Keystore, Corseford • Johnstone Town Hall • Scottish Fire & Rescue, Thorn Brae

KILMACOLM • Kilmacolm Golf Club • St Columba’s Senior School • Gym, Birkmyre Park • Library (rear of New Surgery)

KILBARCHAN • Scout Hall • Kilbarchan Bowling Club

LANGBANK • Langbank Village Hall • Doctors surgery , Station Rd (carpark wall)

LINWOOD • Onyx Leisure Centre • Spar, Clippens Rd • Asda

LOCHWINNOCH • Outside GP Practice, Main St

PAISLEY • Russell Institute

QUARRIERS • William Quarriers House (ent. to Faith Ave) • Country View

local community, local business, local life .........

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 18

18

21/04/2022 12:07:54

Viano Interiors

Advertising Feature

At Viano Interiors we believe that your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of all the things you love.

We all look for inspiration, we hope here at Viano we can give you that when you visit our stores.

Each store has its own unique style, with a large variety of furniture, lighting, soft furnishings and accessories. We also have a lovely range of gifts that include candles, diffusers, glassware which start from as little as £8.

We are proud to be one of the few stockists in Scotland of the ultra exclusive brand, Eicholtz.

Other services include our wedding gift service and our interior styling service, please ask in store for more details.

All of our Viano Team are passionate about helping you create a beautiful space to live, so if you do not see exactly what you are looking for please ask and our team and we will help you to find it.

We look forward to meeting you, Love the Viano Bridge of Weir girls ... Vivien, Fallon, Amanda, Leeann, Mags and Carol x

Johnstone History Society Our final meeting for the years 2021-2022 Will be held on Tuesday 10th May in the Masonic Hall Collier Street at 7.30pm. For our last meeting our speaker will be Professor Bill Hanson and his subject is “The Antonine Wall”. We hope to have a good attendance of both members and visitors and all will be given a warm welcome .

The Museum will continue to open right through the summer as usual Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am till 4pm. On sale we have a wide selection of books pamphlets and maps and as we now have a card machine purchasing is made easier. All our goods can be bought online at johnstonehistory.org and are paid for via PayPal.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 19

May 2022

19

21/04/2022 12:07:56

Gryffe Valley Rotary Meetings - March meetings included a meeting with local groups and community councils to help formulate future strategy and projects and thanks to these for their input. We enjoyed a talk by Alec Galloway, Stained glass artist and painter, and then Past President Hamid Khatib speaking about his trip to Antarctica. A Charter Dinner to celebrate 25 years as a club was held on 30th March in the Fox and Hounds restaurant. The main speaker was Sheriff John Hamilton. Dr Thorsten Koenig spoke about the recent evolution of the church in former Eastern Germany on 13 April and Dr Goutham Ray, Consultant Physician will speak on ‘Medical Emergencies’ on 20th April.

Walk for Health - Work continues on this project to encourage walking locally in the knowledge that walking is good for both physical and mental health. Most of the signage has now been erected for the Gryffe Valley Way, a long-distance footpath from near the source of the River Gryffe along most of the length of the Gryffe Valley. The signs carry a QR Code that can be read on a mobile phone to give further details of the route of the walk. We are grateful to Renfrewshire Council who have awarded us a grant towards the cost of implementing signposting, brochures and a website.

10k Run - The Gryffe Valley 10K Run is scheduled for 22nd May to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland and application details are now available. We are particularly keen to see entries from teams presenting community groups and companies.

This event requires involvement on the day for 2 hours of many stewards and if any local organisations can help with stewarding please contact us via our facebook page or email listed below.

School Competitions - Young Writer: Six schools participated in the first stage of this year’s national Young Writer Competition in which pupils were asked to write up to 550 words based on this year’s theme, environment. Entries could be prose or poetry, fact or fiction. Schools selected their best entries in each of the three age categories, and these were assessed by our team of three judges. Prizes were awarded to worthy entries and the top ones overall were entered for the District 1230 Final. At the District stage, two of our entries were judged to be winners and progress to the RGB&I National Final …..congratulations to Jennifer G of Gryffe High (Senior Category) and Lana F of Bridge of Weir Primary (Junior Category).

H.O.S.T

What’s on

may ‘22

The Carrick Centre, Houston

Coffee Shop Monday - Saturday:10am to 4pm Takeaways only Coffee Shop/Centre 01505 229 597

Mon - Fri Gryffe Manor Out of School: 01505 615 438 Dance West Scotland: enquiries@dancewestscotland.co.uk

Booking enquiries:

Bill Haddow 01505 690 693 Stewart Scally 07473 696869 Joe O’Brien 07968 804 776 thecarrickcentre@gmail.com or hostbookings@outlook.com

MONDAY

thursday

Mini First Aid Class 9th @ 10am (Victoria Shearer)

Gryffe Quilting Group 1pm - 3pm 5th & 19th - 10am start

DWL

Crafty Friends 5th & 19th @ 7.30pm

4pm

Diaporama

9th @ 7.30pm

Folk Club

TUESDAY Hazel Connelly ART DWL (Private Booking) DWL

1.15pm 4pm 4.30pm

10.30am

FRIDAY Mr & Mrs McGhee

9am

Natalie Don MSP 6th @ 12.30pm

WEDNESDAY Womens Institute 18th @ 7.30pm DWL MH

4pm

DWL R2

6pm

MOO MUSIC

Move It Or Lose It

8pm

9.30am

Community Council 18th @ 7.30pm

Weekly Centre Patrons PLEASE ADVISE date or time changes due to holidays Check FB for updates in line with Covid 19 Gov guidelines

DWL MH

1.30pm

DWL R2

3.30pm

DWL

3.30pm

saturday DWL MH

9.30am

DWL R2

9.30am

sunday Baptist Church Louise Coutts B/P

11am & 6pm 8th @ 2pm

Clare Callaghan B/P 15th @ 2pm

Easter baking competition: In the absence of the traditional Young Chef Competition, first Year pupils in Gryffe High were challenged to design and prepare decorated Easter Nests. Prizes were awarded for the best in each class … a very impressive display.

Other Charitable Activities - Every year we have organised an outing for Renfrewshire Young Carers who are responsible for looking after parents or siblings and this year an outing for 80 carers took place in March to the Skypark Climbzone at Braehead followed by a Chinese buffet meal.

Corporate Membership - We welcome new corporate members who would like to be associated with Rotary and the charitable work we carry out. Gibb Stuart Hardware are the latest corporate member and we welcome Sandy back to the club! Corporate Membership offers opportunities to network with members and support our work.

Anyone interested in Rotary can contact us through our web or Facebook page or email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com

Houston Show is back!

Come along and mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend on Saturday 4th June at the Houston Agricultural Show at the Houston Playing Fields. Including the incredible Houston’s Got Talent, Farmers Market Trade Stalls, Horse, Cattle, Sheep & Dog Show. And a visit from Larch Green Alpacas!

To find out more on how to enter any of our competitions please keep an eye on our Facebook for more info. We can’t wait to host the best field party in Houston! Exciting!

local community, local business, local life .........

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 20

20

21/04/2022 12:07:59

Houston & Killellan Kirk THE CARNIVAL IS OVER ...... “Oh, no it is not!”

The Houston Kirk Carnival has been a key annual spring highlight in Houston village social calendar for over 40 years – that is until the COVID pandemic caused its suspension. The good news is that it will be back, but not until 13 May 2023. You can put that date in your calendar now, but first put in Saturday 14th May 2022.

Apparently the Houston folks cannot contain their excitement until 2023!

So, “Not Quite the Carnival” is being organised for Saturday 14th from 2pm to 4pm in West Church Halls, Main Street, Houston: • Tea, coffee & cakes for everyone – under the age of 110 years!

• Toss the balls in the jars

• A Family Quiz

• Bagatelle board game

• Lots of fun for all the younger & not so young kids

• Crafts for the very young kids

• Catch a (not P & O) boat?

• A mini Messy Church

• Hook a duck?

• Perhaps a few surprises - lots of fun to entertain everyone

• Shoot a duck!

• Topple the cans

• However, a promise that no live ducks will be injured in the games!

Come along to have an inexpensive fun afternoon for all. We are all looking forward to the Houston Community coming together again for this little reminder of the Kirk Carnival.

WHAT’S ON: COMING EVENTS in MAY: TUESDAY 3RD – Foodbank in West Church Halls, Main Street, Houston 10am – 12noon & 7pm – 8 pm & every Tuesday.

SATURDAY 14TH – “Not Quite the Carnival” 2pm to 4pm in West Church Halls, Main Street, Houston – FUN EVENT for all the FAMILY TUESDAY 24TH – HOUSTON DEMENTIA FRIENDLY NATURE WALKS AND ACTIVITIES – Houston & Killellan Kirk 1pm – 3pm. Last Tuesday of every month

ward 9

cllr derek bibby

This will be my last column in the Advertizer as a councillor as I am not standing at the forthcoming council election. It has been an honour and privilege to have represented the communities of Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch over the last 10 years, together with the community of Howwood since 2017. Those 10 years have been the most tumultuous of my lifetime on the national and international stage with the Independence refererendum, Brexit, the Corona virus pandemic and most recently war in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. All of these events have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on our lives, with many challenges, many unexpected. Against the background of these events, day to day life has continued.

I want to thank the many council workers who work on a daily basis to meet the needs of our local communities never more demonstrated than in the last two years. In thanking them I also want to pay tribute to the many splendid volunteers and community organisations who individually and collectively enrich our lives and without whom elected members could not do their job.

The task of improving the quality of life for all is made much harder by the fact that year on year over the last 10 years councils have had less money to spend. It is my fervent hope that this will change.

Many of the candidates seeking election on May 5th will promise to stand up for the people of Renfrewshire.

Given the current cost of living crisis and an uncertain financial future, this has never been more important.

Collectively in the council this has not always been undertaken to maximum effect, and all councillors in the newly elected council will need to have standing up for Renfrewshire as their top priority, with a more consensual approach if a fairer deal for Renfrewshire is to be secured .

The future should be about optimism and change for the better, therefore I also hope to see more constructive political debate, as sadly this has been coarsened over the years partly as a result of the rise of social media and a trend towards more polarised political opinion.

On a personal note, and as a founder member of Shelter, I would also want to see the council make it a priority to help end the scourge of homelessness.

In conclusion I am immensely grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as an elected councillor.

Inevitably there have been achievements and setbacks. I have met some remarkable people over the last decade and I have been humbled by their energy and enthusiasm and in many cases their resilience in overcoming adversity. I will miss working with them. I send everyone in Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch every good wish for the future.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 21

May 2022

21

21/04/2022 12:08:02

ward 9

cllr andy doig

Readers of my Advertizer column may remember that at the beginning of the year I was lobbying Renfrewshire Council as they had cut the School Crossing Patroller at Kilbarchan Cross, which was a great loss to the After School Club based at the Scout Hut, and a real issue for road safety at the Cross in general. The Council had a jobs fayre in February, but sadly did not get any applicants for the vacant post. I offered to use my social media as a Cllr to try and advertise for the post, and I was delighted to get eight responses, all of which I sent on to council officers.

Kilbarchan Cross now has a new Crossing Patroller due to my efforts and they will be in post soon.

At the last meeting of Howwood Community Council there was much legitimate concern about the unrepaired crash barriers at the sharp corner of the B776 Bowfield Road/Midton Road, which are damaged on a regular basis due in large part to HGV’s coming from Kilmarnock en route to Glasgow. This is simply not acceptable, as well as being a real risk to public safety. I have therefore asked council officers not only to repair it, but to render it as substantial as possible for the future.

Since my last Advertizer column there has regretfully been yet another incident of a vehicle toppling down over the entrance to Lochwinnoch train station on the A760, which has caused considerable debate about both the camber of the road and how it naturally pulls drivers to the right as the second set of traffic islands are approached, as you go up to the Roadhead roundabout. Some constituents have rightly identified the core issue of speed, and certainly speeding plays a big part here in causing accidents, but I intend to get council officers back out for another site visit to look at the fundamental geology of the road. I also would like input from Police Scotland on this also, as they have expressed a measure of scepticism about the effectiveness of the double traffic islands, a view which I have to say I share.

Surgeries: 2nd Wednesday of the month - Lilybank Bowling Club, Johnstone at 6.30pm, and the Old Library, Kilbarchan at 7.30pm. 4th Wednesday of the month - Howwood Bowling Club at 6.30pm, and Lochwinnoch Bowling Club at 7.30pm.

Contact info:

07534 148 224 cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk IndependentVoice/ Ward9JohnstoneAnd Villages CllrAndy4Ward8

The Kilbarchan Singers 40th Anniversary Concert Who would have thought when The Kilbarchan Singers were formed some 40 years ago, that they would still be going strong and enjoying singing as much as ever? Not only that, but two of the original members, Joyce McCallum and Pat Rowand, are still with the choir. There have been many concerts and performances over the years, and the choir has grown so much both in ability and in experience. When we look back at our foreign trips in particular, singing in Freiburg Munster, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris and in Brussels Cathedral, we realise just how far we have come. Our original plans for this anniversary year of 2022 (back in 2018/19) were to either travel to Germany or Italy to perform. However, like so many things Covid has put paid to that – for the time being anyway. Instead we will be celebrating where it all started – in Kilbarchan. If you have supported us in the past, we can’t wait to welcome you back, and if you have never heard the choir sing, then we hope you will take this opportunity to come along and celebrate with us. Concert ticket details on page 14.

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival weekend The sun was out for the first return to a festival weekend since the pandemic.

Friday at Lochwinnoch Golf Club saw a full house for the long awaited More Moira Monologues by local Lochwinnoch writer Alan Bissett, with £400 raised for the Ukrainian Red Cross appeal On Saturday there was a very popular craft fair at Lochbarr and the Coffee Caravan served up refreshments. In the evening at Lochwinnoch Golf Club the award-winning jazz band the Rose Room were supported by local trio Juniper Three.

Saturday afternoon also saw a book launch by Leeanne Elizabeth Clark in the Shop at Number 8, with tea/coffee and cake. A very interesting event.

Followed in the evening at Lochwinnoch Golf Club by the hilarious Stuart Mitchell Comedian.

local community, local business, local life .........

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 22

22

21/04/2022 12:08:05

Lochwinnoch International Aid and Fairtrade Along with many other people we’ve been deeply shocked by what has been happening in Ukraine and the plight of the refugees trying to flee the conflict zones. We therefore decided to donate as much as we could from our remaining funds. Our donation of £250 was made through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal which meant it was doubled to £500 by the UK government.

DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and across the border in the neighbouring countries. They are working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care. The DEC is made up of 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response.

During 2021 we raised over £180 from the sale of plants which was really welcome given that we were unable to undertake our regular fundraising activities. Thank you to all those who bought or donated plants. So once again we are offering plants in exchange for donations. If you are walking down Calder Street towards Bridgend, look out for plants on offer on the left just before you get to the bridge. Alternatively if you have spare plants looking for a good home you can drop them off at the same spot.

We hope soon to be able to re-start in-person fundraising activities. In the meantime we continue to receive money via our regular monthly subscription scheme and we are always ready to welcome new members.

If you are interested in joining or contributing via our monthly subscription scheme you can contact us at lochintaid@gmail.com or telephone 07702 544868. If you just want to make occasional one-off donations to LIA use our JUSTGIVING link; Link.justgiving.com/…/donate/charityId/3085816. The link is also available via our Facebook page (Lochwinnoch International Aid and Fairtrade)

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 23

May 2022

23

21/04/2022 12:08:08

Scotland on Tour

Howwood Village Fete

Hundreds of new gigs across Scotland as live music industry gets welcome boost.

Saturday 18th June, 1pm - 4pm, Howwood Primary School

Scotland on Tour will take place over a period of 12 months between April 2022 and 2023, supporting the creation of hundreds of concerts and performances at much-loved arts centres, town halls and community venues across Scotland.

The year-long Scotland on Tour bill includes both emerging and established artists, with the likes of pop sensation Callum Beattie, Scottish traditional music favourites Duncan Chisholm & Hamish Napier and singer songwriter Roseanne Reid involved.

Scotland on Tour is Funded by Scottish Government and organised by Active Events, with input from representatives from across the industry including Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, XpoNorth and South of Scotland Enterprise.

To find out what new shows are taking place throughout Scotland, visit www.scotlandontour.com

Put the date in your diary and keep your fingers crossed for good weather! We really hope that the village and our neighbours will come together for a fun afternoon and to support the local groups and organisations who work hard to put on this event.

We have lots to keep the whole family entertained on the day including bouncy castles, a licensed bar, tea room, DJ, hot dogs, craft stalls, home baking, tombola, bottle stall, kids fancy dress competition, pub tug-o-war, and more.

New for this year, OneRen will be putting on FREE games and activities for the kids.

Tickets for the grand draw are available from local groups and How Good is Howwood committee members. There are some great prizes including a meal for 4 at the Boarding House, a round of golf for 4 at Caldwell Golf Club, afternoon tea for 2, beauty vouchers etc.

Stalls are still available at a cost of £20. If you have been busy crafting over lockdown or have a business/organization you’d like to promote, please contact us.

You can keep up to date with everything and contact us via the How Good is Howwood Facebook page.

Can’t wait to see you all on the day!

Howwood Parish Church Summer is fast approaching, hopefully with better weather.

Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot event, one of the oldest workers’ festivals in the UK Saturday 2nd July!

2 Sma’ Shot Lane, Paisley PA1 2HG

Some changes in the Kirk: Facemasks are optional and there is no longer a requirement to wear masks while singing our hymns. Big difference overall.

Please come and join us an a Sunday morning and take part in our service. A good welcome to all who come.

local community, local business, local life .........

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 24

24

21/04/2022 12:08:11

The old library centre

What’s on

MAY ‘22 opening Times: 01505 706070

kilbarchan Monday – Friday: 10am to 12noon & 2pm to 4pm kipcokil@hotmail.com www.kipco.org

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

Spanish Conversation 2pm - 3.45pm (University of the 3rd Age)

Yoga with Elizabeth 10am -11.30am

Yoga with Kerry 7.30pm - 8.30pm

TUESDAY Craft Group

2pm - 4pm (every 2nd Tuesday)

Book Group

7.15pm - 8.30pm (once a month)

Yoga with Elizabeth 7.30pm - 9pm

thursday Move it or Lose it 2pm - 3pm (exercise for over 60’s

A lot of work has been done in our garden and can be visited any time we are open. If you would like to make use of the garden space please enquire by phone, email, or in person. Also, if you would like to volunteer in the garden you will be most welcome.

We are having a fund raising event on Wednesday 27th April. Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers will be available from 9.30am - 12.30pm to value watches and general antiques. Cost will be £1 per item. Tea/ coffee will be available in the Reading Room. Please see our website for more details.

Lilias Day party in the Park We’re back! Saturday 11th June 12pm - 5pm All the fun of Lilias Day with a few new additions to help us party! With music from SambaYaBamba, Clamjamfrie ceilidh band and other local performers as well as lots of new entertainment for the kids. We’ll also have our Lilias Day favourites; the epic tug of war, the music tent showcasing up and coming bands, the food village, stalls, pony rides and of course our favourite Lilias Day characters.

The only downside is that we won’t be able to hold a full parade this year due to more challenging logistics, but we promise to return next year!

Book a stall: email info@liliasday.co.uk Taking a stall at Lilias Day is a great way to raise funds for your local organisation or good cause. There are still a few pitches left costing £30, or 2 pitches for £50. This is reduced from normal rates to get things going again.

Decorate your house, or make a scarecrow This year we’ll be setting up a Lilias Trail so that your artistic masterpieces are fully appreciated. Let us know if you intend to decorate your house or make a scarecrow so that we can include it in the map. Email info@liliasday.co.uk Join our fancy dress procession A mini procession will walk into the park from Well Road, led by Habbie, Miss Lilias and the School King and Queen. Dress up and join the procession.

Put the date in your diary, tell your friends and family to come along, and support YOUR Lilias day. Keep up to date by following us on Facebook or visit www.liliasday.co.uk A full programme for the day will be published mid-May.

The Old Library Centre, 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan, PA10 2EF Kipco is a Scottish charity, SC031251, and is run by volunteers

Kilbarchan News Kilbarchan National Women’s Register - Our meetings continue every Wednesday evening ay 7.45pm on zoom with a varied programme in May: What is your favourite museum and why? Nicknames, Barbecue of American foods, Queen for a day-who would you choose? We also enjoy face to face coffee afternoons.

The Book group will discuss Big Brother by Lionel Shriver. The members of the Walking group continue to enjoy a varied selection of walks in the local area and beyond. If you’d like more information, please phone 348627 or visit the website: www.nwr.org.uk Kilbarchan Parish Church - Services continue each Sunday at 11am, conducted by Rev. Stephen Smith and coffee and tea are now served once again in the hall after the service. Junior church has also resumed every other Sunday.

All welcome. Each service is available to watch

by Live Stream by logging on to the church website: www.kilbarchankirk.org Midweek Fellowship - This short informal service is in the small hall on Wednesday mornings, starting with coffee/tea from 10.30am.

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club will resume on Monday 9th May from 9.15-1130am in the hall, off Steeple Square when we look forward to welcoming tots aged 3 and under along with their accompanying adults to enjoy time with all the toys and of course the bouncy castle.

The cost will remain £1 per adult and this includes juice/tea/coffee and biscuits. We are so looking forward to resuming after more than 2 years’ break due to Covid

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 25

May 2022

25

21/04/2022 12:08:13

The Cargill Centre

What’s on

MAY ‘22

Kilmacolm new Community Centre

Centre Opening Times

Cafe Opening Times

Monday – Friday: Saturday: Sunday:

Monday – Friday: 10am to 4pm Saturday: 10am to 3pm Sunday: Closed

9am to 10pm 9am to 3pm Closed

Enquiries & Room Hire: 01505 873 994

01505 874 663 www.cargillcentre.com

MONDAY Yoga

Reservations & Takeaway:

thursday 9.30am – 10.30am

Pilates

9.30am – 10.30am

Yoga With Janis

10am – 11am

Acting For Fun

5pm – 8.30pm

Chair Yoga

11am – 12pm

Metafit

6.30pm – 7pm

Kettle Bells

7pm – 7.30pm

Bridge

7pm – 10.30pm

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

Rock Choir Qi Gong

10am – 12pm 12.30pm – 1.30pm & 2pm – 3pm

Zumba

6pm – 7pm

Art Class

6pm – 8.30pm

Singing for Health & Wellbeing 7pm-8pm

WEDNESDAY

Kettle Bells

9am – 10am

Moo Music Inverclyde 10am – 11am

Mini First Aid Classes 4th & 17th May Contact Vicky on 07359 044490 for details

9am – 9.30am

Horticultural Society Plant Sale & Coffee Morning

Move It Or Lose It 10.30am–11.30am

Saturday 7th May, 10am – 12pm

Metafit

Pensioners Lunch 12.30pm – 2pm Friendly Bridge 1.30pm – 2.30pm Pilates Body Balance

6.15pm – 7.15pm & 7.30pm – 8.30pm 7pm – 8pm

Singing for Health & Wellbeing Friday mornings Contact Daniela on 07949 071653 for info

Solas bereavement drop-in group The Solas bereavement drop-in group will be meeting in the Lounge of the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm, on Thursday 12th May at 2pm.

As always, this meeting is open to all with no pre-registration required.

Solas supports those from Kilmacolm and surrounding areas who have lost a loved one. It doesn’t matter if it was recently or a long time ago, Solas creates a safe place to talk, to listen and to heal. You will be supported in processing issues of grief and loss by expert speakers as well as each other.

For more information please call Barbara Marshall on 01505 872417 or email barbara@oochy.com

ward 1

cllr Stephen Mccabe

As you will know by now, myself and the other two local Councillors have been automatically re-elected due to the fact that there were only three nominations for our three member ward. To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. I still can’t quite believe it. I have been involved in local politics since 1983 and I don’t recall this happening before.

The other six wards in Inverclyde are being contested so the result of these wards won’t be known until the election counts are completed on the morning of Friday 6 May. The new Council will meet for the first time on 19 May when appointments will be made to the various positions that require to be filled, such as the Provost and Leader of the Council.

Work is well under way on the £80,000 renewal of the surface of the Multi-Use Games area (MUGA) in Birkmyre Park. The previous painted macadam surface is being replaced by a short pile multi-sport 2G artificial turf, which is more suitable for a wider range of sports, including netball, basketball, tennis and football. The work should be completed by early May. It has taken longer than expected due to the contractor experiencing supply issues with materials and workers being affected by Covid.

Just like our own households, Council budgets are under considerable pressure at the moment and we have only just started the new financial year. This is as a result of the perfect storm of Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine affecting global supply and demand. The cost of materials utilised by the Council have increased significantly as have the delivery timescales.

This is leading to contractors wanting to renegotiate contracts; delays in the completion of capital projects and increases in the costs of capital projects.

We are also seeing the local business community turning to the Council for support in the face of rising costs and Council staff unions have rejected the initial pay offer of 2% from the Councils’ umbrella body COSLA on behalf the 32 Councils.

It promises to be another very challenging year ahead.

At the full Council meeting on 21st April the Council formally agreed to establish a new Inverclyde Task Force to work with the Scottish and UK Governments, their agencies and local community partners to stimulate the local economy thereby creating opportunities for business and residents. The Task Force’s first meeting will be after the new Council is formally established on 19th May and it will report every six months on progress to the full Council. It is hoped through the Task Force we can lever in greater public and private investment to the local economy.

Separately the Council is working with partners on a £20m bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund for the regeneration of Greenock Town Centre and on a bid for one of the two new ‘Green Ports’ to be created through an agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments.

Surgeries:

Tuesday 17th May at Kilmacolm Community Centre from 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Contact info:

01475 712 020 (office hours) Stephen.McCabe@Inverclyde.gov.uk 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm, PA13 4HL

local community, local business, local life .........

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 26

26

21/04/2022 12:08:17

Since its inception in 1835 only war & pestilence have prevented the show from going ahead – two World Wars, Foot & Mouth, & most recently, Covid.

Even with Covid however, the show went ahead virtually for the last two years, but now we are back with a bang – live!

Thanks to generous funding from Event Scotland, the Meliora Fund, the Wind Farm Fund, & Inverclyde Council we are able to go ahead with what we believe will be a bigger, better & overall safe event, despite the lingering threat from ‘The Plague’.

The Showjumping Ring is being brought back into the bosom of the show after its years of isolation in the wilderness east of the car park. It will return to its former position roadside in the middle of the main tented area, beside the newly instituted Food Court which will satisfy all your dietary needs in the one place. As well as horses & burgers we can offer you cows, including the ‘herry coos’, sheep, Clydesdale horses, dogs & the ever popular Industrial Tent with its displays of culinary & creative excellence.

Whilst acknowledging the changing face of farming we still aim to show the best of what is being done locally & additionally to educate those who might not be so familiar in the old ways & the new – to which end we have instigated The Knapps Experience where young & old can brush up on not only their agricultural knowledge, both arable & livestock, but also learn about the environment & our impact upon it, about our local heritage & history, & the effect that we, as humans, have upon nature in all its facets.

These include subjects as diverse as litter picking, archaeology, local heritage, marine life rescue, forestry, refillable household items, bees and local craftsmen. We also believe we’re in for a whale of a surprise – but we’ll need to see on the day!!

The land around Kilmacolm with its volcanic soil fed by the three main rivers – the Green Water & its major tributary the Blacketty Water, & the Gryffe, has been farmed certainly since Neolithic times & so may it continue long into the future.

ward 1

cllr david wilson

I am delighted to be appointed as your Councillor for Ward 1, Kilmacolm, Quarriers Village and Port Glasgow for a further 5 years. There were only three nominations for the three vacancies and those consequently elected were a Conservative and Unionist, Labour and a SNP Councillors. In a way I am quite disappointed because apart from enjoying the fight, a physical vote is an accurate measure of the job one has been doing and hopefully the endorsement of constituents.

At the request of Councillors, our Chief Executive wrote to the Transport Minister regarding the need for a judge led inquiry into the fiasco of the procurement and design process of the CalMac ferries Glen Sannox and Hull 802. This saga, 5 years overdue and heading for triple the original £100m projected cost, has been an embarrassment. The reputation of shipbuilding on the Lower Clyde has been tarnished by the Scottish Government lack of and inept management. Jenny Gilruth , the Transport Minister has refused our request. In order to go forward we must establish exactly where and why this failed procurement process, costing taxpayers £millions, went wrong.

Inverclyde Council has been allocated £120,000 as part of the Meliora Festival to celebrate the exit from covid-19 and all its horrors. In my Ward the Comet Festival and Parklea Branching Out in Port Glasgow have been awarded monies. In Quarriers Village the quite excellent Campbell Snowdon House has been allocated monies for a garden party, which I am sure will be a splendid affair. Kilmacolm Community Council will

be holding a Jubilee Village Fete and the Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society will be having an agricultural heritage and educational exhibition. All help to celebrate our communities.

Balrossie is not secure and there is evidence of persons accessing the site.

We are dealing with a consultant for the owners but we must really stay on top of this situation and ensure the security of the site. I am getting too many complaints, it is time for robust measures.

No news yet on the Mactaggart and Meikle development at West of Quarry Drive, the decision still rests with Scottish Ministers. The majority are against the development but there is a minority who feel that there is a lack of available housing in the village for young couples and those wishing to downsize.

I have ideas on what would help to improve the village but I really want to hear your suggestions.

Contact info:

07766 992 294 01475 741 969 / 722 975 david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk

Kilmacolm Old Kirk News Kilmacolm Old Kirk is open to all. All May Sunday services start at 11am.

For anybody unable to make the service in person, they are all live streamed on the Church Facebook page.

Please follow Kilmacolm Old Kirk on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all updates. All can be accessed by searching @KilmacolmOld

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

16-27 NEWS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 27

May 2022

27

21/04/2022 12:08:21

schools & Sports St Columba’s

Regular Meet Classes Reebok Step Class

Yoga and relaxation

Jennifer Sloan Physiotherapy Led Pilates

the Practice of Qi Gong

Freelands Church,Main Street,Bridge of Weir (Opposite Amaretto) Tuesday: 6.45pm Miss the Original Reebok Step Class? Then come along for fun, fabulous music, full body workout, feel fantastic!

Limited spaces available.

Mo on 07505 126 416

As we return to school after Easter, we are still basking in the glow of our Former Pupil Weekend.

For the first time since 2018, we were able to host this annual bonanza of hockey and rugby which aims to celebrate our community and our pupils’ sporting achievements. In school, we aim to promote camaraderie and good fun when it comes to sport, and these qualities were very much present that sunny weekend. It was fantastic welcoming back our former pupils (many of whom have continued to play their chosen sports since leaving us!) and to see our pupils rise to the occasion. They also wore pink to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. We are thrilled to announce that St Columba’s rugby team won the Scottish Rugby West Schools’ Conference B for 2021/22. Rugby Captain Finlay D (SVI) was presented with the silverware at our most recent Honours Assembly; however, this success does not just belong to the 1st XV, but is shared by all the boys across Senior School who play the sport. Well done to the players, coaches and everyone else who helped our team win!

As part of our continued focus on enhancing Equality and Inclusion, we were delighted to welcome the charity Show Racism the Red Card into Senior School in March to deliver workshops to our SI, SII & SIII. The workshops aimed to educate our young people about the causes and consequences of racism, to empower young people to challenge racism and to enable them to develop good relationships and respect the differences between people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, culture, or nationality. We are very excited to be working with Show Racism the Red Card and we look forward to them returning to the school soon to continue this valuable work. Visit stcolumbas.org for more news and information.

Kilmacolm Community Centre Wednesdays: 6.15pm - 7.15pm 7.30pm - 8.30pm Thursdays: 9.30am - 10.30am Jennifer on 07731 303 709 jennifer-mcghee@hotmail.co.uk

Clyde Physiotherapy Pilates classes

St Machars church hall, Bridge of Weir Monday: 9.30am/ 10.40am/ 7pm Booking essential. Zoom option also available.

Yvonne on 07786 224 367 yvonne@clydephysiotherapy.co.uk

Zumba

Freelands Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir (Opposite Amaretto) Monday: 10am Come along, have fun to fantastic music and feel FAB. All fitness levels welcome.

Mo on 07505 126 416

Have a local class you want to promote?

Get in touch!

01505 613340 info@advertizer.co.uk

Kilmacolm Community Centre Suitable for all ages over 16 to no upper limit!

Classes resume on Monday 18th April at 10am till 11.15am Bring own mat, blanket, water if needed Mary on 07971 277 870 marylaidlaw38@gmail.com Kilmacolm Community Centre Classes resume on Tuesday 19th April at 2pm Get in touch for more information.

Mary on 07971 277 870 marylaidlaw38@gmail.com

Chair Yoga

Kilmacolm (KNCC) Monday: 11am All the benefits of a yoga class including breath work, movement and relaxation, but seated and working within your own abilities in a small group.

Fiona on 07824 344 158 glenmoss_soap@hotmail.com Yoga with Fi yoga_with_fi

Move it or Lose it!

Gourock, Bridge of Weir, Greenock, Kilmacolm, Houston, Kilbarchan All classes back up and running Classes are aimed at the over 60s.

We focus on Flexibility, Aerobic Health, Balance and Strength (FABS) exercises. www.moveitorloseito.co.uk Move-it -or-lose-it-with-fiona Fiona 07811 766672

Next Deadline... #325 June 2022: 11th May

local community, local business, local life .........

28-33 SCHOOLS-SPORTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 28

28

21/04/2022 11:54:20

Abbey Nursery, Houston

Duchal Nursery The Summer term has started at full speed as we make the most of our outdoor space and the surrounding park.

We are really excited to be taking a stand at the Kilmacolm Show, we have really missed this community event and we look forward to seeing local families at our stand. The children are also busily getting creative preparing their entries for the Industrial tent.

Recent visitors to the park will have seen us as we begin our training for our Annual Sports Day, which this year will be open for spectators and the much anticipated parents and siblings races! The children really are getting into the spirit of it, young athletes in the making.

Throughout Spring our Little Ladybirds have been busy exploring the world around them investigating nature.

Our curious babies have been putting to use their ever-increasing gross motor skills when building campfires, learning through schematic play as they dismantled the campfire then helping to rebuild for others to enjoy.

The babies have also been busy practicing pincer grips, enhancing those prewriting skills through pinching different natural objects such as: dandelions, petals, soil and sand; transporting them to different tubs and bags whilst staff celebrate the children’s determination to succeed and learn new skills.

We all had great fun celebrating Easter with the children.

Did you know...?

We are the longest running local magazine in the area, established in 1995 with over 25 years of experience.

We are a family-run business with a local office team based in Bridge of Weir, delivering over 10,000 magazines monthly.

While we’re not running about outside there is hard work going on inside, not only for those preparing for the next step as they get ready to move on to primary school, but also everyone rehearsing for our Summer Concert which we are delighted is returning this term, there really are plenty of performers amongst us!

New Entries: We now offer free preschool education for 3 – 5yr olds every day (during term time) through the funded nursery scheme in conjunction with Inverclyde Council, ensuring Duchal is available to all children in the local area (including those living in Renfrewshire). Please get in touch for more information, we are open daily 8am – 6pm during term time, offering greater flexibility of care for parents. Please visit our website for more information: www.duchal.com and find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to come and visit the Nursery please get in touch on 01505 874358 or email info@duchal.com

Kilbarchan Primary P7 Trip to Ardentinny Through the Eyes of our Pupils Gorge walking was freezing, but fun and it was something most of us had never done before. Some of us fell multiple times as the rocks were slippy, but we still thought it was so much fun! Finding out who we were sharing a room with was really exciting!

We did lots of team building activities where we had to communicate and work together to solve problems.

The meals were quite good and at lunch we got to make our own rolls with lots of choices of fillings. We also got some warm soup for lunch to fill us up after our morning activities.

On the last night there was a disco where we also danced (even the teachers!!).

On the last day we were sad to leave, but it was great to see our families.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

28-33 SCHOOLS-SPORTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 29

May 2022

29

21/04/2022 11:54:28

Local Bookshop and Author get together for School Event

by Rona Simpson Lindsay Littleson, an award-winning children’s author based in Renfrewshire, visited schools on the 31st of March as part of an event organised by local retailer The Ginger Cat Bookshop.

Children from Bridge of Weir, St Fillan’s and Houston Primary Schools enjoyed a fun-packed afternoon with local author Lindsay whose first children’s book, The Mixed Up Summer of Lily McLean, won the 2014 Kelpies Prize.

During the day, Lindsay read an excerpt from her new book The Rewilders, to spellbound assemblies of children, then they got to ask her questions and she signed copies of her book. It is no surprise her books are such a hit, for many years Lindsay taught 5–6-year-olds at Kilbarchan Primary School – so she understands the imagination of children more than most.

Later she explained “My experience in reading to children every day has been really useful, as when dialogue is read aloud it’s immediately obvious if it’s stilted or clunky. I work really hard to ensure the dialogue in my own novels sounds as natural as possible!

Having the confidence and communication skills to talk in front of large audiences is an essential part of being a children’s author nowadays and having taught for so many years, that aspect didn’t scare me at all.”

The Rewilders follows the story of Esme a 12-year-old girl who finds an abandoned kitten on the Rothiecraig Estate, it grows… fast! It turns out

this kitten is in fact a white lynx. Esme embarks on a dangerous adventure to rewild Cora – the kitten – with Callum Docherty – the school’s ‘bad boy’. The Rewilders is a wonderful mix of exploration, friendship and conservation. Tricky topics such as bullying and fostering are treated in a sympathetic way that children can relate to. In short, it’s a gem of a book.

Aileen Jefferies, owner of the Ginger Cat Bookshop said “This was the first event for the schools since before Covid so what an honour to visit the schools and see all of the children. The children were so engaged and I think my favourite part of the day had to be all of the amazing questions that the children asked Lindsay about being an author and about her books. Lindsay answered so many of the children’s questions and I can’t thank her enough for agreeing to do the event. I think there might very well be some budding authors in the schools!”

We asked Lindsay if she had one tip for aspiring writers, what would it be…

“Get started now and keep writing until the story’s finished. So many people tell me they have a book inside them, but it’s not a book until it’s written. If you really want to be a published author, you’ve got to get the words down on paper. And the first draft is never the best, so keep polishing until the story is as good as it can be. “ The Rewilders is aimed at ages p4-p7. Get your copy at The Ginger Cat Bookshop, Kilmacolm. Look out for more author events hosted by The Ginger Cat Bookshop coming soon… #shoplocal

local community, local business, local life .........

28-33 SCHOOLS-SPORTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 30

30

21/04/2022 11:54:32

Kilmacolm Golf Club

Old Ranfurly golf club Ladies Section On Saturday the 16th April the ladies section held its first trophy competition of the season. The Anne Lavety Memorial stableford competition attracted a record number of participants. Fortunately the sun shone for us and the lovely spring weather resulted in some excellent score sheets. The competition was won by Grace Moore Congratulations and well done with great score of 36 points The ladies knockout competitions are now in full swing with a mix of greensomes and match play.

The course is in very good condition with many improvements, including new rubber matting at some of the tees where these had become worn. Fingers crossed the good weather continues.

Finally don’t forget to book your place in the Old Ranfurly Ladies Open which will take place on Thurs 7thJuly cost £18 per couple. It’s a greensomes competition and all ladies are welcome. You can book through Golf Empire. Places fill up quickly so best book early to get your preferred time. There will be prizes galore so once again sign up quickly you want to miss out!! So here’s to a great season ladies, enjoy your golf and good luck to all!!

The course was bathed in sunshine for our opening weekend of the season as Captain Megan Briggs and Vice Captain George Morris welcomed over 160 golfers from all sections of the club to play in a great fun competition.

The winning team of David, Suzanne and Braidyn Innes with James Miller posted an outstanding score combining well as a team on the important holes.

The Ladies section held their own fun competition to kick off their season, again, the sun was shining as 42 ladies played a 10 hole triam, with Captain Stella Bowie leading her team of Trish Brown and Judy Scholes to victory.

Embracing the start of the Major Tournaments, Kilmacolm hosted their own Masters Par 3 competition to coincide with the excitement at Augusta. The 9 hole par 3 course certainly allowed members to see the course from some different angles with some rather unusual holes such as 7th tee to the 13th green and the 8th green to the 10th green. Again this was enjoyed by juniors, ladies and gents and was a huge hit, with the winners George and Keir Morris leading the way!

With the season now in full swing, our competitive golfers are preparing for their matches with the men and juniors competing in their Newton Shield leagues and the Ladies team doing battle in the Greenlees league.

In addition there are numerous friendly matches for the men, ladies and juniors against other local clubs together with club knockouts and weekly competitions for those that like to test themselves, there really is something for everyone.

The clubhouse is now open full summer hours, providing a fantastic catering and bar service, the Pro Shop team are busy offering lessons and group coaching for novices and experienced players. Let’s hope the sun continues to shine…..

Ranfurly Castle golf club The golfing season started with an evening quiz following ‘A round of Golf’ with our own Andy Biggart. Andy is a European Tour Referee and took us round the Course giving an indepth look at the rules of golf along the way. A light supper was enjoyed by around 50 members while teams attempted to answer some very tricky rules questions!

The first competition for the Ladies was the 5 Club 12Hole on 16th March.

There were 23 entries and the Winner with 26 points was Joy McLeod, 2nd with 25 points was Kate Scott.

On 30th March 12 lady couples played in the Winter Greensomes Viven Howe and Gillian Donaghy were the Winners with 43 points and Runners up were Marion Munro and Sheila Swinnerton with 41 points.

Gleddoch golf club Ladies Gleddoch hosted a 7 hole Texas scramble for the ladies academy members to introduce them to the ladies section & experience playing on the course.

We all enjoyed the day & the winning team was Isabell, Liz, Anne & Rebecca.

If you would like information about this year’s ‘Get into Golf’ programme, please contact Keith - kbpapro@gmail.com

13th April saw 30 ladies play in a Fun Yellow Ball Competition in teams of 3. The weather was fine and even felt warmer than before, meaning the day was enjoyed by all. The winning team, with a score of 78 points, was Sheila Biggart, Morag Cunningham and Joy McLeod.

Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association held the final of The Winter Foursomes 2021-2022 at Kilmacolm Golf Club on 20th March. It was a beautiful day and Lesley Robertson and Allison Murray from Ranfurly Castle played great golf, beating Julie Whitelaw and Maureen McDevitt of Whitecraigs Golf Club 3/2.

With the course in wonderful condition there are no excuses for not getting out there and enjoying the summer season of golf.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

28-33 SCHOOLS-SPORTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 31

May 2022

31

21/04/2022 11:54:39

Easter Extravaganza at Strathgryffe Strathgryffe Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club has recently played host to two Easter competitions.

In the Easter Adult Doubles Competition, Glen Smyth and Dana Stevenson claimed the glory with Logan McWilliams and Heather Coulton the runners up. Meanwhile in the Hen and Chick parent and child competition, Euan and Claire Donald were the victors.

The spring period is a busy time at Strathgryffe with lots of social activities and coaching at the club. One week trial membership and taster evenings are available in April and May. For more details, visit www.strathgryffe.net

Brookfield Bowling Club The new season opened on the first Saturday in April with bright sunshine. Ladies Secretary Marlene Rogan threw the first bowl watched by President Campbell Blaikie and many members of the Club. Afterwards, the members played a “Wappenshaw” for the President’s prize, followed by afternoon tea and the presentation of the 2021 prizes which had been delayed due to Covid-19.

The Club is now fully open and welcomes new members of all abilities.

Wappenshaws are run every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with internal competitions spaced throughout the season. We also have both Ladies and Gents teams taking part in local and national competitions. An excellent introductory fee for the first season is available. Please contact Past President Dennis Taylor (01505 612417) for further details .

local community, local business, local life .........

28-33 SCHOOLS-SPORTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 32

32

21/04/2022 11:54:45

Castle Semple Sailing Club

Paddlesport Taster Session (Adult) The new racing season has kicked off at Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch, with the Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon races.

Come along at these times and say hello if you are interested, or contact us online. We have also had our annual Asymmetric Cup, with five races over one day. Gentle breezes ruled, but we still managed three capsizes.

The cadets have been busy with two Cadet Weeks over Easter, and regular sessions for cadets and adult training. Cadets are open to anyone aged 8 to17. Please just send us a message for more information. Members will also be enjoying a few Saturday Social Sailing and BBQ days, and we are looking forward to meeting people at the Lochwinnoch Gala Day on 11th June. We will also be taking part in the taster sessions promoted by the RYA Discover Sailing team. Watch out for one of our days on Sunday 15th May.

Castle Semple Sailing Club - Monday 9th, 16th & 30th May - Time 5.30pm – 7.30pm - £30 A relaxed and fun 2 hour introduction to paddlesport, suitable for beginners. (Min 4, Max 8 participants) A fun introduction to canoes and kayaks: choose what type of boat you want to try out, learn at your own pace, set your own goals. Our coaches will set the content of the session to meet the needs of the group so if you’ve got something you want to know or to try out – just ask.

You’ll learn some basic paddle strokes to give you control of a boat; have the chance to try out one or more types of boat and some basic theory on dealing with capsize recovery. Information and options on how to develop in paddlesport will be available.

Www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk

castlesemplesailing@gmail.com

RYA Dinghy Level 1 Adults Sailing Saturday 28th Sunday 29th May Time: 9.30am – 4pm both days - £145 - Castle Semple Sailing Club This course is suitable for beginners and is the first stepping stone to becoming a sailor no matter what kind of boat you intend to sail in the future.

To provide structured tuition in dinghy sailing for novice sailors. By the end of the course, participants will have had an introduction to the sport of dinghy sailing, including basic boat handling techniques and essential background knowledge of the sport.

More information www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk

RYA Dinghy Stage 1 Youth Sailing Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th May - £100 - Castle Semple Sailing Club Gain a qualification over 2 days of fun while enjoying our introductory sailing course for youths aged 8-15 yrs.

Time 10am – 3.30pm each day. Course length – 10 hours By the end of this course the successful young sailor will be safety conscious and able to sail a dinghy confidently in light winds. Safety and enjoyment are emphasised on this junior course.

More information www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

28-33 SCHOOLS-SPORTS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 33

May 2022

33

21/04/2022 11:54:49

out & about

Next Deadline... #324 June 2022: 11th May

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers

Loch Tay

The recent good weather has seen the BoW Hillwalkers out in force.

The first outing was to Broughton in the Borders where the summits of Hammer Head and Trahenna Hill were visited on a glorious day of roller-coasting on the broad ridges.

We then ventured to Ben Chonzie above Comrie in Perthshire. This name is a horrible anglicisation of Beinn na Coinnich (Mossy Mountain) and is better pronounced as Ben Y Hone. The hill was exceptionally busy on a warm and sunny Sunday but afforded grand views of snow speckled peaks in all directions.

Most recently, we were on the hills south of Loch Tay on a dry day but with a cauld wind to skelp our faces. The hillside was awash with frogs and spawn, the views to Loch Tay and the Lawers group were spectacular along with the hulking whaleback of Schiehallion. A surprisingly tame hare caught the attention as it posed for photographs like an “A-lister”.

Expeditions to the Borders and Glen Lyon lie in wait!

(Photos by various members of BoW Hill Walkers)

Broughton

Ben Chonzie

Welly Boot Garden in Kilbarchan We at Kilbarchan Smile are always trying to think of ways to engage the village and its children while improving our environment, especially helping the bees and butterflies, and maybe even making Kilbarchan smile.

By admittedly borrowing this idea from the lovely village of St Monans, we are hoping to create a Welly Boot Garden in the Gateway Community Garden.

So if you or your children have a colourful pair of wellies that no longer fit or have sprung a leak, that you would like to decorate, plant up and install in the garden, why not drop us a text on: 07952 169341.

We will help you when you come along and you will even be able to visit them on the afternoons we are open.

local community, local business, local life .........

34-39 OUTDOORS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 34

34

21/04/2022 11:48:56

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

34-39 OUTDOORS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 35

May 2022

35

21/04/2022 11:48:57

The Walk...

woodland trails at locherwood and ladymuir

by Rona Simpson Begin:

Car park on B789 between Kilmacolm and Lochwinnoch: Locherwood Car Park

Difficulty: Terrain:

Moderate

Distance: Nature Spot:

7 / 7.5km

Mostly flat but can get very boggy in some seasons ©Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Possibility spotting birds of prey like Hen Harriers, Buzzards and Kestrels.

In summer months you might see Green hairstreak, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Orange Tip butterflies

Begin along the track from the carpark, following it as it curves through the trees. Turn right at a green marker onto a grassy path passing a picnic table. Continue through mixed native tress to an old stone bridge over a burn. Care needed. Follow with trail (they both meet soon) and then cross another small bridge. Keep left then cross a boardwalk before ascending to meet another grassy track. Turn right with a drystone dyke on your left.

Keep right at another junction where there is a blue marker. Cross a small burn. A dense plantation (Ladymuir) is ahead to the left.

The path carries on to a stile over a wall and past some thick bushes.

Keep going until you reach a t-junction. Ladymuir Reservoir is just ahead. Follow the forestry track for several kms.

Keep following the track as it follows the base of Thornlybank Hill. Keep ahead as track goes left. Eventually you will reach a junction. A right here takes you towards Clyde Muirsheil Visitor Centre via Windy Hill, but to continue this route continue ahead. Blue markers show where to fork left off the track and meet a grassy path. It could be boggy here.

“Green Hairstreak” ©Philip McErlean

The path then descends by some rocks and reaches a junction. Keep following the blue markers. The path runsbesideadrystonedyke and crosses a footbridge.

Follow a right fork in the path uphill – continue to follow blue markers to pass an open area and then back into the trees. Continue straight until you get to the house at Ward. Turn right along a track here. Take a left on a path that leads to a junction where you turn right and head back to the car park.

“Blauwe Kiekendief - Hen Harrier” ©Rob Zweers

local community, local business, local life .........

34-39 OUTDOORS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 36

36

21/04/2022 11:49:00

Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society To quote Thomas Dekker: welcome to the “merry month of May”! By now we will be clear of fleeting snow showers, but occasional frosts may still strike. Keep horticultural fleece handy to throw over flowering shrubs when temperatures dip. The brown carapace that forms around frosted flower buds can be peeled back gently to release the petals. This too applies to rain-sodden summer buds, such as roses.

Our unusually dry March gave early flowering shrubs a chance to flourish, from delicate Camellias to robust Hellebores and sturdy Grape Hyacinths. Spring planters fared well too. April started off chilly, but became warmer over the Easter break. May’s forecast suggests variable weather conditions with temperatures rising towards June, but the unsettled weather will continue.

Our Plant Sale will be held on the morning of Saturday 7th May and our stall will be near Livery Walk and the Car Park, as before. There will be a range of bedding plants from Parklea Nursery in Port Glasgow. This is a good chance to find plants which are known to thrive hereabouts and to buy quality bedding at the right time for planting. Members will also have a selection of herbaceous, perennial and vegetable plants for sale.

On Thursday 12th May the Gardening Club will learn more about environmental issues. This talk has been rescheduled and the format changed slightly. Members will have visited the Enva site and will explain how the Company tackles recycling garden waste. As much as possible is converted into a range of new materials, e.g., biomass fuels, animal bedding - and garden compost which improves soil structure and nutrient content and is recommended as a soil enhancer, mixed with top soil. We meet at 8pm in the Freeland Church Hall and hope those interested in recycling, as well as gardening, will join us.”

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme - Gardens open for charity HIGHWOOD - off Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm PA13 4TF Sunday on15th May 2pm - 5 pm. Admission £4, children free. In aid of Orkidstudio and SGS beneficiaries A beautiful woodland walk around 50acres of native bluebells, primroses and wild garlic in a delightful setting bordering the Green Water river with tumbling waterfalls. Great outdoor space for children to run and explore and splash in the burn.

PERCH CORNER - 25 Stanely Crescent, Paisley PA2 9LF Sunday 22nd May 2pm - 5 pm. Admission £4, children free. In aid of Parkinsons UK and SGS beneficiaries Perch Corner is a large south facing garden extending to over 1/2 acre with formal areas and woodland paths.

The garden overlooks Stanely Reservoir and beyond to the Gleniffer Braes. Many mature shrubs and rare trees.

Please visit our website for more detailed information www.scotlandsgardens.org

Spring has sprung!

Our small group of local crafters have been busy again. The ‘Bridge of Weir Woollen Wonders’ yarn bombed the village with spring colours and hugs in time for Easter.

We hope you all enjoyed our creations.

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

34-39 OUTDOORS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 37

May 2022

37

21/04/2022 11:49:05

RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve

KILBARCHAN & DISTRICT BEEKEEPERS ASSC.

Well, its May already, and Spring has well and truly sprung! All our wildflowers are in full bloom, there are green leaves on the trees and the birds are singing. Did you know every species of bird sings a different song? The chiffchaff sings its own name and the great tit calls out “teacher, teacher“. Amazing? But wouldn’t it be good if you could impress everyone by being able to recognise the birds in your garden or local park by their song alone. Then come and take part in our Birds and bird song for Beginners’ event and our experienced staff will teach you how to recognise birds by sight and sound. Our reserve is the perfect place to learn a new skill and Spring is the perfect time of the year to practise your new talent. At this time of the year our feathered friends are trying to impress potential mates and out do the competition.

May is the month when Spring really puts on a show and bees are quick to make the most of it.

However, beekeepers are often too busy to step back from their hives and enjoy the May beauty for long. It’s the start of the spring honey flow from sources like bluebell, fruit blossom, horse chestnut and sycamore, all wonderful to look at and loved by bees for nectar and pollen. And gardeners shouldn’t be too quick to dig up those dandelions as they may seem like a pest but the flowers are a rich source of food.

If our Birds and bird song for Beginners isn’t your thing, then come and take part in a brand-new event at our reserve; Traditional craft making with willow. Try your hand at this traditional skill guided by an expert.

At this time of year we start to keep a look out for the first signs that the bees may be thinking about swarming so inspections every seven days begin again to ensure that the bees aren’t making new Queen cells, prompting the old Queen to leave the hive and make way for a replacement. Unfortunately, as many beekeepers know to their cost she doesn’t travel alone but takes a large number of bees with her. It seriously depletes the hive and any potential honey harvest. There are many methods of swarm prevention that have been perfected over the years and our new beekeepers will soon be learning them.

Not forgetting our younger visitors, we have activities out on our trails for families, just keep a wee eye on our social media, for upcoming events.

We have new revised opening times for the visitor centre, 9.30am – 5pm, 7 days a week.

Our reserve shop continues to sell all your bird feeding requirements, binoculars, scopes and fancy goods. We also sell hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks, for you to enjoy at our seating area or out on the trails.

Birds and birdsong for Beginners: Sunday 15th May, 10am -12.30pm, £12 (RSPB members £9.50) plus 50p booking fee.

Traditional craft making with willow: Sunday 12th June, £37.50 (RSPB members £30) plus 50p booking fee.

Guided walk- Wildflowers of Lochwinnoch: Saturday 18th June, Adults £12 (RSPB members £9.50), children £6 (RSPB members £4.50).

For more information about the reserve, please call – 01505 842663 or email us on: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk . We are also on Facebook @ RSPBLochwinnochNR and twitter @RSPBLochwinnoch

Not surprisingly honey is a welcome prospect just now, a reward for everyone’s hard work and winter care. May could just be the first month when some is available to gather depending on our fickle weather in Scotland, where June is more hopeful. ‘Supers’ the shallow boxes that hold the frames where the bees store their honey are gradually increased on the hive as the harvest builds up, while the arrangement of brood boxes is also added to, as the Queen increases her production of eggs.

It’s a fascinating time to open up a colony and certainly a busy one.

If you are interested in beekeeping for yourself, please contact our secretary via helenajbee@gmail.com who will provide more details about our association and how to join. Our Facebook page is reserved for members and beekeeping friends, but anyone can follow us on Twitter @KilbarchanBees or Instagram ‘Kilbarchanbeekeepers’

© Fiona McFetridge , PCPC

local community, local business, local life .........

34-39 OUTDOORS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 38

38

21/04/2022 11:49:10

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society We ended our series of lectures with a special presentation by Colourful Kilmacolm chairman Peter McKerrell.

Congratulations to Colin Houston for gaining the coveted award of the Jimmy Whittet Trophy at the Spring Bulb competition.

Our charity event to celebrate KHS 140th anniversary was delayed in the past two years, finally in March we were able to organise the Bring and Buy Sale in aid of Ardgowan Hospice, raising £625, with more donations handed in to the Ardgowan Hospice shop. Our thanks go to the Windy Hill Art group for their sale of flower paintings on the evening and to all our members who gave generous support.

We turn our attention now to the Summer events, starting with a Plant Sale and Coffee Morning in the Community Centre, Kilmacolm on Saturday 7th May from 10am - 12noon. Parklea Nurseries will be supplying top quality plants, bedding, geraniums, sweet peas, vegetable and tomato plants. So please come along to the Coffee Morning, enjoy coffee and cakes with friends, and leave with planting for your garden this summer. This our main fundraising event of the year, enabling us to organise the KHS Flower and Vegetable Show. - It will be held on Saturday 3rd September, schedules will be available next month. The Show is open to all members of gardening clubs in Renfrewshire or Inverclyde.

Further details from Jill Russell, Show secretary - 01505 872393. View our website: www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com.

Colourful Kilmacolm At the time of writing this, most of us are still wrapped up against the cold winds, but our displays of daffodils, hyacinths and even tulips are braving the weather and brightening up our days. By the time you read this, surely spring will be well established, the days will be warmer and we will all be looking forward to summer. You have to be positive!

Some members of the Colourful Kilmacolm committee recently helped the children at St Columba Junior School’s Holiday Club to rejuvenate a rather tired border and to plant up some containers. Predictably the children were as interested in the worms they found as in the plants, but seeing the finished result develop in the coming months will, we hope, give them an appreciation of how plants can add to the attractiveness of our surroundings.

Merry May So far this year, Brighter Bridge of Weir has been fairly quiet, just tidying up and planting a couple of trees and some shrubs here and there. That’ll change, of course, and this is the month when things start to perk up.

Renfrewshire Council is upgrading access to the Sustrans paths in the area, and that will affect the Woodland Garden on Main Street, opposite Livery Walk. At the time of writing work there hadn’t started, but the Council have given assurance that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

After a decent showing from the daffodils, the tulips should be taking over the baton and then, either at the end of this month or early next, the summer plants will be delivered. That’s what the Group are saving their energy for!

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

34-39 OUTDOORS 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 39

We recently welcomed some new members and we hope to see them, and many of our long-standing members, at our AGM, to be held on 16th May. Members will receive their invitation in advance.

If you would like to be involved, either actively or by donating, visit www.colourfulkilmacolm. org.uk or phone Peter (01505 872448) or Liz (07963973031) for more information.

May 2022

39

21/04/2022 11:49:16

sales & wants

Submit your item(s) by completing the cut-out below or online at:

www.advertizer.co.uk/submit-sales-wants

ITEMS FOR SALE HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN • Next Sherlock Winged

Chair. Distressed velour French grey. Condition as new. £200 ono. Tel: 07950 952002.

• Single bed, 3’ wide, black

and silver metal frame, wooden slats, 8” quilted mattress, VGC. £20 ono.

Tel: 07746 880749.

• A t c o E l e c t r i c Po w e r

Lawnmower with Scarifier, used for 2 seasons. Bought for £300, sell for £150 ono.

Tel: 07484 170332.

SPORTS • Ladies TREK bicycle plus

extras, £50 ono. Tel: 01505 613173.

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.

WANTED ITEMS

Local Community Halls BRIDGE OF WEIR

• Old records Wanted 45`s

& LP`s. CASH Paid. Tel: 01505 873958 or 07710 777571.

Freeland Church

01505 612 245

BROOKFIELD Village Hall

• Local lily grower requires

the use of a greenhouse/ polytunnel in Kilmacolm area in return for light gardening duties. Tel: Vince 01505 872082.

01505 335 562

HOUSTON Carrick Centre

01505 612 203 / 01505 331 488

Compass Centre

01505 615 441 / 01505 612 617

• Cash paid for Vinyl Records

and Music CDs (a few or a lot). Tel: 01505 329638 or 07765 115347.

KILBARCHAN

• Large plot of land wanted

for purchase as allotment around Langbank (preferred), Kilmacolm, Bishopton or Houston areas. Minimum size of 0.5 acres. Tel: 07985 621227.

Guide Centre

01505 702 758

Old Library Centre

01505 706 070

KILMACOLM Cargill Centre

01505 873 994

Brownie/Guide Hut

07584 359 007

Masonic Hall

01505 873 059

OTHER ITEMS • Caravan Isabella porch

awning, VGC with ground sheet £100. Bailey towing front cover £50. Water barrel, waste water, new 25m el. Cable, outside step, all £10 each. Tel: 07748 004947.

• Silver Cross Red Vintage

D o l l ’s Pr a m - n i c e condition with original pram bag and handle clip.

Photos available, email: ruthemacleod@gmail. com £80 ono. Tel: 07875 565648 .

Did you know that you can submit your sales & wants online?

Just go to: www. advertizer.co.uk/ submit-saleswants

AND COMPLETE THE ONLINE FORM!

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2320/ Check-your-bin-collection-day

WWW.ADVERTIZER.CO.UK

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2159/ Roads-transport-and-parking

INFO@ADVERTIZER.CO.UK @GRYFFEADS

www.inverclyde.gov.uk/

ANSWER THE CALL. SUPPORT LOCAL. #SCOTLANDLOVESLOCAL #KEEPINGITLOCAL

council

www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/ recycling-and-waste-services/when-aremy-bins-collected www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/ roads-lighting

Delivery problem? Get in touch! info@advertizer.co.uk 01505 613 340 advertizer.co.uk/delivery-feedback

Find a list of local defibrillator sites online: advertizer.co.uk/local-defibrillator-sites/

40-43 CLASSIFIED 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 40

21/04/2022 12:02:33

business classified

ADVERTISING RATES

Trades / Services / Property / Vehicles Boxed Advert £8.00* per column cm Photo £8.00* (vehicle/property sales only)

WE ACCEPT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

* Prices subject to VAT

Advertising throughout publication Definitions: “Standards” means the British Code of Advertising Practice and the provisions of any law applicable to advertising including, but not limited to, the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988, the Financial Services Act 1986, the Business Advertisement (Disclosure) Order 1977 and all amendments and replacements.

It is hereby agreed that: • The placing by the Advertising Client of an Advertisement is deemed to be acceptance of Conditions of Acceptance of Advertising.

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Promote your business from only

£28. 80 (inc.VAT)

per month advert this size (3cm x 1col classified B&W)

10,200 copies delivered

Promote your business from only

monthly

£38. 40 (inc.VAT)

to homes & businesses in Renfrewshire

per month - advert this size (2cm x 2col classified B&W)

• All Advertisements in this Publication must not contravene the Standards.

TRADES AND SERVICES

• The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the Advertising Client as a result of any failure, negligence or omission by any party in the course of the distribution or circulation of the Publication in which the Advertisement appears.

• In the event of any error, misprint or omission by the Publisher in the printing of an Advertisement, the Publisher will either re-insert the advertisement, adjust the cost or provide a refund. This does not apply if the Advertisement has been approved by the Advertising Client prior to publication. The total liability of the Publisher for such an occurrence shall not exceed the amount of a full refund for that particular Advertisement.

• The Advertising Client agrees to indemnify the Publisher in respect of all costs, damages or other charges falling upon the Publisher as the result of legal actions or threatened legal actions arising from the publication of the Advertisement, or any one or more of the series of Advertisements, published in accordance with the copy instructions supplied to the Publisher.

• Readers are reminded that when purchasing items or services advertised in the Publication that the Publisher cannot be held in any way responsible for the quality or correctness of the items or services included in the Advertisement.

Editorial throughout publication The opinions of the Contributors to this Publication are not necessarily the official views of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to edit or refuse any material submitted for publication.

CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER The Gryffe Advertizer is published by © The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd 2022

Promote your business from only

£19

. 20 (inc. VAT) per month - ad this size (2cm x 1col classified B&W)

SITUATIONS VACANT CHILDCARE • Kilmacolm/Quarriers

• Houston registered

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

T: 01505 873839.

childminders. For an informal chat to find your best childcare, call Helen Smith on 07952 390282

Classified B&W adverts popular sizes (inc vat) 3cm x 2col

£57.60 per month

2cm x 2col

£38.40 per month

3cm x1col

£28.80 per month

2cm x 1col

£19.20 per month

May 2022

40-43 CLASSIFIED 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 41

41

21/04/2022 12:02:38

ads directory by Category

Next Deadline... #325 June 2022: 11th May

Accountants & Financial

Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gas & Heating Services Affluent Financial . . . . . . . . . 9 Platinum Cleaning Services . . 7 C Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CLA Accountancy . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Scott Blast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Gasfit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Stark Exterior Solutions . . . 9 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Architectural Services I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 13 CHG Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 7 Councillor Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Cllr Alison Ann-Dowling . . . . 18 Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 2 Scottish Labour Party . . . . . . 22 Wright Gas - Scotland Ltd . . 7

JBC Joiners & Builders . . . . . 23 Retail McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 15 Viano Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 24

Kitchens

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 17 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7 Art, Gifts & Flowers Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 10 Glazier Viano Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Cycle Repair JBC Joiners & Builders . . . . . 23 1on1 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13 Spokes Bikes Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 28 Automotive Services Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 11 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 24 Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Driveways A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hairdressers & Barbers Leisure & Recreation Bathrooms Arlene Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Kilmacolm Show . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 17 Electricians Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Health Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 10 GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 Health, Beauty & Fitness Locksmiths Bedrooms Russell Milne Electrician . . 31 Arlene Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7 Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Eckory Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 8 Fencing Blacksmith & Metalwork McLaughlan Metal . . . . . . . . . . 8 Erskine Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 McLaughlan Metal . . . . . . . . . . 8 LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Painters & Decorators Firewood & Logs The Health Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 A Gallagher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Building Services LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Andrew Hay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 A&M Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Home Hardware Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 32 AllBuilt Consultants . . . . . . . 21 Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 James Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 34 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bencairn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 23 Brookfield Custom Cabins . . . 18 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 33 I&J Building & Roofing . . . . . 2 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 30 JBC Joiners & Builders . . . . . 23 KC Roofing & Building . . . . . . 19 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 24 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 32 Salt and Grit Solutions Ltd . . 39 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 15 Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 24 Thomas McMaster & Son . . . . . . 7

Civil Structural Services AllBuilt Consultants . . . . . . . 21

Cleaning & PowerWash DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 21 Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 21 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 22 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 24 KC Roofing & Building . . . . . . 19

Funeral Services

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 3 John Roach Funeral . . . . . . . . . 26

Garage Doors & Gates Garolla Holdings Limited . . . 17

Garden Service & Design 3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 36 Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 37 Bencairn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Brookfield Custom Cabins . . . 18 CHG Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 7 Cuillin Landscapes . . . . . . . . . 34 Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 36 I&J Building & Roofing . . . . . 2 J Andrews Garden Maintenance . . 34 John’s Gardening Services . . 37 Lady Grafters Garden . . . . . . . 37 R Williams Tree Services . . . 34 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Home Improvements

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 36 A&M Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 37 Brookfield Custom Cabins . . . 18 CHG Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 7 Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 10 Kieran Turner Aerial . . . . . . . 2 Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Renfrewshire Handyman . . . . . . 7 Scott Blast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Stark Exterior Solutions . . . 9

info@advertizer.co.uk www.advertizer.co.uk GryffeAds GryffeAds GryffeAdvertizer

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 24

Pet Services & Training Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 16

Plasterers

A&M Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 23 Bryan Slaven Slater&Plaster . . 18 Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 33 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 24 I&J Building & Roofing . . . . . 2 KC Roofing & Building . . . . . . 19 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 24 SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 15 Thomas McMaster & Son . . . . . . 7

Solicitors Kingsley Wood & Co . . . . . . . . . 7 Lindsays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Special Occasions ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Stoves Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 32

Taxis ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Tiling Gordon James Ceramic . . . . . . . 21

Tree Surgeon

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Bryan Slaven Slater&Plaster . . 18 Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 36 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 30 Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 37 Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 24 LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 R Williams Tree Services . . . 34 Plumbers C Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Gasfit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 TV & Satellite GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Clearline TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 7 I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 13 Kieran Turner Aerial . . . . . . . 2 Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 32

Home Interiors Home Security

Pool, Hot Tub & Spa

Upholstery Services

The Health Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 21 Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 32 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 22 Clearline TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Property, Sales & Let Cochran Dickie . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Window Cleaners Joiners Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 21 CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 22 DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kingsley Wood & Co . . . . . . . . . 7 Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 24 James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 30 Lindsays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Matthews Cleaning Services . . 4

Contact us: 01505 613 340

Pest Control

Roofing

Removals 1st floor, Neva Place Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN

Office Hours: Tues - Thurs 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 1pm

Window, Consv & Repair

At@ease Removals . . . . . . . . . . 15 1on1 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 11 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. © The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd 2022

local community, local business, local life .........

40-43 CLASSIFIED 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 42

42

21/04/2022 12:02:50

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk |

40-43 CLASSIFIED 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 43

May 2022

43

21/04/2022 12:02:51

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

01-44 COVER 324 MAY 2022 A4.indd 44

30/03/2022 13:58:35