#334 March 2023: 8th February #335 April 2023: 15th March
The past month of Christmas festivities have been absolutely fantastic. Having attended a few ourselves we were not disappointed!
The Santa Sleigh returned to the villages for its 40th anniversary, visiting the villages on various nights to see the children. A big thank you to everyone involved in making it happen.
It’s certainly been a couple of challenging years so it is brilliant to see the local communites coming together to celebrate the season. As we went to print, the freezing temperatures saw a lot of the rivers and ponds freeze over. Please remember though, ice on the surface doesn’t necessarily mean that it is strong enough to stand on, so use caution and listen to the advice of professionals to stay safe this winter.
The beginning of this year saw our return to the familiar A4 magazine after our smaller Covid19 adaptation and we are delighted with the support we have received as things got back to normal.
1st floor, Neva Place Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN
It’s been a very challenging time for all small businesses, so please, if you are able to, support local trades and businesses.
The deadline for our February Issue is Wednesday 11th January. Please send your submissions to us by then to ensure that it will be printed.
Wishing all of our clients and readers a Happy New Year, and all the best for 2023!
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Birkmyre Player Signs for Sarcens 04
History Spot 06
Gryffe valley rotary 08 Coming Events 12-15
Classic cars at Castle semple 14
Village News 16-27 Councillor Details 16 Defibrillator sites 18
lochwinnoch arts festival 24
Schools & Sports 28-35
Schools & Sports 28-35 Register for free nursery or childcare place 30 Bookshop Book reviews 32 Regular meets 35 Outdoors 36-39
Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers 36 where & when to recycle a real christmas tree 38 Sales & wants 40
Classified ads 41 Business directory 42
Former Birkmyre and Gryffe HS player Louise McMillan has traded her job with Morgan Stanley for a full time contract with Saracens RFC in North London.
Returning to the UK after playing in the world cup in New Zealand and immediately upping sticks to move to a new club has been demanding, but she has relished the challenge. “It’s amazing to be getting paid to play the game that you love and the girls her have been so welcoming”. In only her second game she played the full 80 minutes, scored a try and was awarded player of the match. The coverage that the women’s game has gained has led to a massive increase in girls and women participating in rugby and Birkmyre are delighted to be welcoming so many girls to their youth teams. Louise started her rugby journey at Birkmyre whist still at Kilbarchan nursery - it’s never to early, and the coaches focus on fairness and fun every Sunday.
Finlayson, Bousfield & Co., Who was Mr Bousfield?
Little has been written about Mr Bousfield, who went into partnership with James and Charles Finlayson to form Finlayson, Bousfield & Co, in Johnstone in 1848. The only indication of his origin is found in an article by the Paisley Correspondent of the Glasgow Citizen describing the Johnstone Grand Industrial Exhibition, held in the town in 1853. Mr C H Bousfield had contributed specimens of silk tabaretts and silk damask and tissues, for display at the exhibition and these had been manufactured chiefly at Spitalfields. This information indicated a possible clue to his past and merited further investigation.
Recent research has revealed that Charles Holehouse Bousfield was born in London on 9th of February 1822 and baptised in St Olave, Old Jewry, London. His mother was Sarah Holehouse and his father was Charles Pritchett, a silk manufacturer in London. As children, Charles and his siblings are likely to have lived in a very busy household, which may have included on the premises his father’s indentured apprentices.
In 1836, at the age of fourteen, Charles was indentured as an apprentice to his father to learn the Art of a Silk Manufacturer. In 1843, on completion of his apprenticeship, young Charles was admitted as a Freeman of the City of London. In the late 1840s, when he came to Scotland, possibly on business for his father who was a partner in Lea, Bousfield & Co., silk manufacturers in Cheapside, he appears to have been well-respected in Glasgow business circles. Presumably, with an eye to the main chance, he saw in James Finlayson the potential of future success and went into partnership with him to form Finlayson, Bousfield & Co. In 1851, and possibly earlier, he is known to have lodged with William and Helen Finlayson, the Finlayson brothers’ parents, beside the mill at Johnstone Bridge in the High Street. He is listed as a proprietor of Finlayson Bousfield in Johnstone in 1855 and 1856. But, unlike the Finlayson brothers, little of his personal life or social involvement in Johnstone is recorded.
In addition to his contribution of silk goods on display at the Johnstone Grand Industrial Exhibition in 1853, he did host a meeting of the Johnstone Working Men’s Institute in 1873 where Sheriff Clark of Glasgow gave a history lecture. One perhaps significant mention of him is contained in the text of Charles Finlayson’s address to the guests at the opening of Finlayson Bousfield’s Lilybank Bowling Green in 1874. In the address, it is mentioned that Mr Bousfield, although a partner in the firm, was not well known to the Flax Mill employees. This may be explained by the fact that by the late 1860s he lived in Glasgow. Despite the success of the company, Charles Holehouse Bousfield ended his partnership in Finlayson Bousfield & Co. on 13th November 1876. It is documented that he would have no further interest in the business which would be carried on by James Finlayson, Thomas Coats, and James’s three sons, William James Finlayson, Archibald Watson Finlayson, and James Finlayson, Jun.
Charles Holehouse Bousfield appears to have returned permanently to London where his main residence was 40 Elvaston Place, Queensgate, Kensington. He was a member of the prestigious gentlemen’s club, the National Club, London, and had involvement in charities and mission work. He died at 29 Ashburn Place on 12th March 1906 and was buried in Norwood Cemetery in Lambeth, leaving a considerable fortune of £497,962.17s.2d. to his sister Cornelia, the widow of Hugh Huleatt and £45,885.12s. to her daughter, Frances Emma Huleatt, widow of Archibald Mungo Muir. But how he accumulated this very substantial estate is a mystery.
© 2023 Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum
As we are now into 2023 may we take this opportunity to wish all our members and friends a very happy new year.
Our first meeting of this year will be held on Tuesday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Masonic Hall Collier Street Johnstone. Our first speaker of 2023 is Helen Glassford and she will be discussing “John Fraser of Johnstone“, it should prove to be a very interesting talk so we hope for a good attendance of members and visitors.
The Museum will re-open on Wednesday 4th January and will continue to open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am till 4pm as usual. We are stocking all our usual books and merchandise and, as we now have a card machine in operation, purchasing goods is made much easier.
In the Museum we are looking for somebody who has one Saturday afternoon a month free to do a shift from 1 pm till 4pm. If you are available please speak to one of the volunteers in the Museum.
On the 7th December Ian Carrick gave an informative talk as a nuclear engineer on the Development of Nuclear Power. Our Christmas Dinner followed on the 16th. January speakers include our annual visit from Jim Dorward speaking on development in Railway Engineering and on the 25th David Walker on Photography.
If interested in joining email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com to arrange your attendance.
Under the auspices of Bridge of Weir Gala Committee the club again toured the Merchiston/ Weirs Way development and Brookfield to raise funds for the Renfrewshire Young Carers group which we have supported for several years.
Nine aspiring chefs from Gryffe High, St Benedict’s and St Columba’s competed in our Young Chef competition, kindly hosted by Gryffe High School. Their task was to cook a two course meal, including a main course, in ninety minutes with a budget of £17.50.
A panel of three judges scrutinised menus, planning sheets, kitchen practices and the final dishes before deliberating while the contestants, teachers and Rotarians washed up.
Congratulations to the winner, Lucy from Gryffe High School and to the runner-up, Mirrin from St Benedict’s. Lucy goes forward to the next round, the District Final to be held in North Lanarkshire College in February. The event was sponsored by Gibb Stuart Home Hardware. All contestants were rewarded and the top two received impressive pieces of kitchenware.
Need a target for your fitness as we enter 2023? We encourage people of all abilities to enter. Finishing times range between 35 mins and 2 hours, as the route follows picturesque country lanes around Houston. Planning for the event is well underway in co-operation with Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club.
This year there will be an informal Fun Run (2K) for kids at 12.30pm in Houston Park.
Six teams of three from Gryffe High and St Columba’s competed in our Youth Speaks competition, debating their chosen topics, ranging from homework to teachers’ strikes.
In the Intermediate age category ‘The Rugby Players’, Oliver J and Oliver N chaired by Cameron R, took first place with their presentation on the wearing of scrum caps. At the Senior stage the winning team was ‘New Times Not Roman’, a well established trio of Emma V and Orla O’R chaired by Lucia G. Their topic, suggesting the books taught in schools are outdated and irrelevant, stirred some feelings amongst the teachers of English in the audience!
The judging team was drawn from Renfrewshire Speakers Club and the event hosted by St Columba’s.
The two winning teams go forward to the next round of this national competition in February.
Anyone wanting a good laugh will enjoy Paisley & District u3a’s New Year meeting. Gryffe Valley Rotary Club member, Alan Watts brings a cheery start to 2023 with a featured talk on Glasgow’s comedians. The public are welcome to come to this event on Thursday 5th January. It’s held in the Salvation Army Hall, Mill Street, Paisley PA1 1ND. Doors open at 1.30pm for a chat with refreshments.
31st December from 8pm - 12.15am
Paisley Salvation Army Paisley Corps Mill Street, Paisley
Tickets include include light supper: Adult: £15, Child (under 16): £5 Online Booking: www.seaty.co.uk/paisleyhogmanay
Family event - please respect The Salvation Army policy of no alcohol.
Mary Lees, Chairperson, shares her report, ‘Staying Connected!’ Technology companies display the slogan, ‘Stay Connected’ as they recognise the importance of people being ‘connected’ through the use of mobile phones and social media. As humans we crave connection with others, albeit extreme at times.
Christmas is a time when we connect with friends, although sadly for some, it is the only time in the year we make the connection. At Teen Challenge Strathclyde, we have had the privilege over the last year of making many connections with the vulnerable and socially marginalised within our society. For many people those connections have been life changing, as they hear of God’s love and redeeming power.
God wants us to connect with Him daily. Not just on a Sunday or at Christmas. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, ‘Pray without ceasing’. This encourages constant communication with Him. During this Festive period, let us be encouraged to connect regularly with others and offer the support each individual needs.
Ways to donate:- www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/tcs/donate smile.amazon.co.uk (Search for Teen Challenge Strathclyde)
Teen Challenge Strathclyde, Horsecraigs, Kilmalcolm, PA13 4TH tcsmlees@gmail.com | www.tcstrathclyde.co.uk | SCN: SC022209
Abigail continues to raise much needed funds for hospice
Local girl Abigail Jackson, aged 9, is a fundraising superstar! She has raised an incredible £3,631.54 for St Vincent’s Hospice by completing a number of challenges to reach her total to date.
During lockdown Abigail took inspiration from Captain Tom and she cycled 100 laps of the school cycle track, which raised an amazing £1,320. She then went on to walk 100 miles in a month which raised a further £1,205!
Abigail’s other fundraising activities included busking and running a 5k.
Hayley Simpson from the Hospice Fundraising Team said, “Everyone at the hospice is incredibly grateful for all of the time and effort that Abigail has put into her fundraising challenges.
Abigail is a credit to the community. The funds Abigail has raised will allow us to care for more patients and families throughout Renfrewshire and adjoining North Ayrshire. We are very proud of Abigail and want to say a huge thank you to her.”
St Vincent’s Hospice are delighted to announce a new partnership with Tony Fitzpatrick and his business venture Legacy Comps Prize Bonanza. Tony and the team visited the hospice and they knew straight away they wanted to become involved, to raise funds for the hospice.
Tony said: “The main reason for me starting Legacy Comps Prize Bonanza was so I could give back to youth sports clubs, charities, and general good causes. St Vincent’s Hospice do so much for many people and are an organisation I have great admiration for”.
St Vincent’s Hospice Director of Fundraising & Supporter Relations, Gillian Green, said: “We are delighted to have an affiliation partnership with Legacy Comps Prize Bonanza, whose ethos is to give back to good causes and it was evident following their visit they want to help and support the work we do at St Vincent’s Hospice.”
To get involved and support St Vincent’s Hospice, visit www. legacycomps.com and use code svh01 (written in in lower case).
For further information please contact Fundraising on 01505 705635.
“King Arthur - the Panto” was a resounding success. A great time was had by our audiences, as well as the cast and crew. Who could not enjoy the frolics of Mrs Spendapenny, her son Arthur and their friend Laughalot? Together with the help of Merlin the Magician and the Lady of the Lake, Arthur becomes king and rescues the fair Guinevere. Wicked Morgana, her ferocious dragon and her silly sons were soundly defeated. A big thank you to all who made this production possible. Don’t miss our Spring production on 20th, 21st and 22nd April of “The Steamie” by Tony Roper.
RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 9.30am to 4pm
Complete the trail and you will learn to sing like a robin, find your own superpower and use all your senses to connect with the robin within. Our exclusive activity packs (£3) will help you complete all the fun challenges along the trail.
Paisley’s Christmas
Paisley - various venues
Paisley’s Ice Rink, Christmas Market, You can also enjoy free activities, reindeer visits, buskers and children’s street entertainers every weekend. Santa’s Grotto in the Paisley Shopping Centre. Free family events. Not open Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The Paisley Centre 10am to 2pm
A huge variety of produce for sale. A leisurely walk round the market provides many opportunities to taste produce and discuss the characteristics and uniqueness of each offering.
Paisley Salvation Army, Mill Street, Paisley PA1 1ND 8pm to 12.15am
Traditional Scottish “Hogmanay Ceilidh” with live ceilidh accordion band (Chris Shanks, Yvonne Ferguson). Join us for the Dashing White Sergeant, Gay Gordons and a bit of hoots mon! Suitable for all the family to enjoy a great night with dancing, traditional ceilidh band and light supper!
Online Booking: www.seaty.co.uk/ paisleyhogmanay This is a family event, please respect The Salvation Army policy of no alcohol. Tickets from £5.
The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, Kilmacolm 11am
A joint service with St Columba’s in the Old Kirk. All our services are streamed online through our Facebook Page @kilmacolmold You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram via @ KilmacolmOld
Paisley Salvation Army, Mill St, Paisley PA1 1ND 1.30pm
Gryffe Valley Rotary Club member, Alan Watts brings a cheery start to 2023 with a featured talk on Glasgow’s comedians. The public are welcome to come to this event for a chat with refreshments.
The Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley, PA1 2DB 7.30pm to 9.30pm
The Western Isles – Birding on the Edge (Angus Hogg) Tea/ coffee and biscuits are available after the talk for a donation..
The Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, Kilmacolm 2.15pm to 3.30pm
2 January meetings, alternate Tuesdays. Tuesday 10th January: Speaker: Sheena MacFarlane Tuesday 24th January: Speaker from Vine Trust. All ladies welcome.
West Halls, Main Street, Houston
10am to 12noon & 7pm-8pm
Donations welcome every Tuesday in January.
#333 February 2023: 11th January
If you would like anything published in our February 2023 issue, please email: info@advertizer.co.uk or call the office on 01505 613340. Don’t miss out!
Killellan Halls, 13A Kirk Road, Houston 2pm to 4pm
Also running on the 26th. Drop in group for people living with dementia and carers. Contact Frankie Greenwood 07817 210777 or email: familyandcommunity. houstonkirk@gmail.com.
Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm
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
Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 3.30pm
A social community group led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk, extending fellowship and friendship and a warm welcome to everyone. The group meets on 1st and 3rd Thursdays monthly. See Page 28 for further information.
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Films 4 U
Lochbarr Services, Newton of Barr, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JB 7pm
‘The Angels Share’ with Whisky tasting and music (£20)! To reserve tickets, call Gill 07761 172726.
Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 11.30am
Singing for well-being classes will resume today. To book your space please contact Daniela on 07949 071653.
The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, Kilmacolm 7pm for7.30pm
Come along and watch the 2022 blockbuster ‘Mrs Harris goes to Paris’. Free entry, open to all & a glass of wine on admission. Donations welcome.
Burns Supper & Ceilidh
Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir 7pm to 11pm
Tickets £15 (includes 2 course meal) from the Scout Hut, Horsewood Road or by contacting bowscoutgroup@gmail.com/ Teresa 07444 886154.
Houston & Killellan Kirk
Luxury Pop-up Breakfast West Halls, Main Street, Houston
9am to 11.30am
Pop along for a lovely treatsomeone else making your breakfast! Donations for projects in Mwandi.
Holy Trinity and Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, Back Sneddon Street, Paisley PA3 2AB 3.30pm
Songs from the Musicals:- Oliver, Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof & West Side Story. Tickets £6 from www.wegottickets. com. Call 07398 102607 Raffle - a chance to win a Hamper of Scottish Food & Drink. Proceeds in aid of Renfrewshire Foodbank & Choir Funds (www.arklestonsingers.org.uk)
On the run up to Christmas last year, the Affluent Financial Group supported the Renfrewshire Foodbank by donating £250 to them in place of sending Christmas cards. Kitty Stirling, Practice Manager at Affluent, said “toward the tail end of 2022 people were feeling the pinch, and so it seemed appropriate to make the switch, for one year at least, from sending cards in the post to all of our clients, to supporting a good cause.”
Kitty and some of her team visited the foodbank’s warehouse, to learn a little about their operations and why the work that they do is so important. Foodbank manager, Crystal Clayton, explained how she is working with other agencies in a hope to lessen the reliance on foodbanks and to get people help in other ways which could then negate the use of the foodbank in future. However, for now, they remain busy and will continue to get food to those in need via their distribution networks.
On a rather wet day at Castle Semple Loch in Lochwinnoch, hundreds of members of the public turned out to support the 10th Classics at Castle Semple car show in aid of St Vincent’s Hospice.
With over 80 cars and unusual vehicles in attendance despite the downpours, spirits weren’t dampened as the crowds marvelled at the much-loved automotives on display.
Show organiser, Jane Fawcett said “I’m always so impressed with the publics passion to support the classic car event especially with the good name of our beloved local hospice attached. This year we raised an incredible £2157.22. How generous! Especially when people are struggling with finances at home.
There were a few shocked faces this year as the awards were announced. A few red ones too!
Five winning owners walked away with awards for their excellence:- Power Doors Best in Show was Tom Inghams Reliant Scimitar GTE; Judges Choice was Neil Couper’s Ford Consul; Furthest travelled was the Scott’s from Kingussie; Most Loved was Doug Rugg’s Ford Cortina; The Extra Mile was Peter Hartcliffe’s VW Beetle.
During the award ceremony, I took the opportunity to tell the crowd the importance of supporting the smaller, more local charities and how every penny and pound makes a difference – a difference to families like my own who were supported by St Vincent’s Hospice when my Dads cancer left him paraplegic for the last 10 years of his life. He laterally attended their day clinic and had an extended stay to assess his pain and care plan, in what turned out to be, the last few months of his life. We were so very lucky that when his health very suddenly failed, a bed was available. He died under the care of the doctors and nurses on the 8th January 2020. Even afterwards, the hospice care team reached out to us, to care for us as a family. We’ll never forget that.”
Sunday 29th January at 3.30pm
Holy Trinity & St Barnabas Church, St James’ Street, Paisley PA3 2AF
A selection of songs from the Musicals:- Oliver, Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof & West Side Story.
I hope everyone had a good Christmas. As I write this article, the cold weather has arrived. If you have a tip on saving money and heating your home then I would be happy to hear them and share with others. If you are out at night then please wear bright clothing and carry a light, particularly if you are on the cycle track. Dog collars that light up are a great invention. A couple of apps/website I recommend is the Trashnothing app along with www.freecycle.org where you can give away unwanted items and receive items for free. There are a number of local Facebook groups for upcycling too. I also recommend the BetterPoints app for your phone that rewards you for journeys other than by car, with discounts and vouchers that you can spend locally.
A warning for drivers when out at night on country roads to be aware of deer crossing. Though, other than driving a bit slower, there is not much that you can do if a deer jumps out in front of you. I was involved in taking a young buck to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre recently after it was hit just outside BoW on the A761, when I was returning home after the Gryffe Voices concert in Freeland Church. Singing is a great way to relax and meet others and Gryffe Voices are looking for new people.
Bonnie Bishopton and Brighter Bridge of Weir have done amazing work and funding for their villages. It is amazing what volunteers can achieve and both have brightened their villages with Christmas lights this year. If you would like to see an improvement where you live then why not let me know and we can see if we can start a group of likeminded people. Surgeries: 6.30pm to 7pm - Langbank Church - 1st Monday of the month; Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir – 2nd Monday of the month; Bishopton Community Centre – 3rd Monday of the month. I’m also on Facebook www.facebook.com/ councillormaclaren where you can read my community council reports. If you are not on Facebook then I can also email these to you.
Bridge of Weir Senior Citizens’ Association will hold their meetings every second and third Wednesdays in January, February and March at 2pm in the Cargill Hall. On 11th January Ann Yourston of Age Scotland will be the speaker and on 25th January Neilston Strings will entertain. Everyone is welcome at any of the meetings.
Bridge of Weir Scout Group are holding a Burns Supper with Ceilidh on Saturday 28th of January 2023 between 7pm - 11pm in the Cargill hall, Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir.
Tickets £15 includes 2 course meal and Ceilidh. Tickets available from the scout hut, Horsewood Road or by contacting bowscoutgroup@gmail.com / Teresa 07444 886154.
Our January meeting will be on Thursday 12th January at 7.30pm in the Cargill Hall. We are delighted that photographer Duncan McEwan will take us on a photographic Taste of Scotland on that evening. Duncan is well known for his beautiful pictures of Scotland’s towns and countryside and this promises to be an enjoyable start to the new year. Guests are welcome to come along.
WARD 9:
JOHNSTONE NORTH, KILBARCHAN, HOWWOOD & LOCHWINNOCH www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/
Cllr Chris Gilmour: cllr.chris.gilmour@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1289 | 07484 064521
Cllr Gillian Graham: cllr.gillian.graham@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1268
Cllr Andy Doig: cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk 07534 148 224
Cllr Emma Rodden: cllr.emma.rodden@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1431
HOUSTON, CROSSLEE & LINWOOD www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/
Cllr Audrey Doig: cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk 07768 130 935
Cllr Alison Jean Dowling: cllr.alison.dowling@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1419
Cllr Robert Innes: cllr.robert.innes@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1254
Cllr David mcGonigle: cllr.david.mcgonigle@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1287
BISHOPTON, LANGBANK & BRIDGE OF WEIR www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/
Cllr James MacLaren: cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1291
Cllr fiona airlie-nicolson: cllr.fiona.airlie-nicolson@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1253
Cllr Colin McCulloch: cllr.colin.mcculloch@renfrewshire.gov.uk 0300 300 1427
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 / 712727 | 07766 992 294
Adults and children welcome (7+ yrs) Gradings held on an ongoing basis.
07850 407442
Johnstone Tora-Kai Karate
Monday 7.30pm - 8.30pm Thursday 5.50pm - 6.50pm
Zumba®:
A total workout, combining elements of fitness: cardio, muscle conditioning,balance and flexibility. gems_paisley@hotmail.com
Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm
New members welcome. Private lessons available.
Stewart 07710 464 969 ballroombasics@live.co.uk
Thurs 7pm - 8pm (Beginners) Thurs 8pm - 9pm (Intermediate) Sat 11am - 12.30pm (Mixed Ability)
Each class is suitable for all levels of experience including none at all! yogabellieslyndsey@outlook.com
Sun 6pm - 7.15pm for Pregnancy
Sun 7.30pm - 8.30pm Hatha Flow for all Mon 10am - 11am for Mum & Baby
The Ballet & dance Company:
Get in touch for more information or to book a trial. suzanne@balletanddanceacademy.co.uk
Friday 3.15pm - 6.30pm
DDP Yoga:
Full body workout to improve flexibility, strength, balance & cardio fitness.
Laura 07474 443505 energisewithlaura@gmail.com
Monday 6.15pm - 7.15pm
Classes include Circuits, HIIT Training, Meta fit, Boxercise - and more! £5 per class.
Tuesdays 7.45pm - 8.45pm baileyfitness101@gmail.com
Before moving on to the concerns of the New Year I want to thank Houston Community Council for organising another successful Christmas Lights Switch-On event, which was enjoyed by all.
One local anniversary which I have noticed is that 2023 will see the forty sixth anniversary of the opening of the present Houston Primary School. I would like especially to thank the teachers, the pupils and the Parent Council, for making Houston Primary the excellent school it is. Education is vitally important for everyone and I am totally behind the Scottish Government’s attainment challenge to drive forward standards in all our schools. One major factor which is undermining this is that all council education budgets are overburdened with debt of some £30 billion for years to come, as a consequence of the flawed Private Finance Initiative method of borrowing to build schools, instigated by the former Scottish Executive some twenty years ago.
At the last full council meeting in December, prior to the Christmas recess, I was pleased to support a motion sponsored by my ward colleague, Cllr Robert Innes, which recognised the various play park and green spaces investment which have been carried out in nearly twenty play parks, including at Ardgryffe Park in Houston. At a time of tight living costs and rising energy bills these are fantastic zero expenditure ways of keeping fit and health, which helps individuals to keep fit mentally as well as physically. This comes after decades of underinvestment in our village communities by administrations in Paisley which were only Paisley orientated.
Contact info: 07768 130 935 cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk
As we look forward to 2023, we may just have the answer to all those good intentions and New Year resolutions to get fitter.
A number of classes take place in the Village Hall on a weekly basis (starting w/c 9th January) including various types of yoga (for pregnancy, mother & baby, general Hatha and the more energetic DDP yoga), Zumba, karate, children’s ballet, ballroom dancing and a fitness bootcamp class. New members will be made most welcome at all classes!
The club meets in the Village Hall on a Thursday afternoon from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and is currently looking for new members. All abilities welcome including beginners. Please call 01505 324169 for further information.
January meetings will take place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 10th and 24th from 10am to 12noon. New members/visitors are most welcome.
Cllr Robert Innes - Tuesday 17th@ 6pm - 6.30pm
Cllr Alison Ann-Dowling - Friday 20th @ 10.30am - 11am
BISHOPTON
The Cornerstone, Greenock Rd
Bishopton Community Centre
BROOKFIELD
Brookfield Village Hall
BRIDGE OF WEIR
Co-Op
Old Ranfurly Golf Club
Ranfurly Castle Golf Club
Gate Hs, BoW Leather Works
Elderslie Golf Club
Outside Church Hall, Main St
Co-Op
Strathgryffe Tennis (reception)
Old telephone box, Houston Rd, Crosslee
Back of Houston Primary on outside of playground fence
HOWWOOD
Howwood Hall, Station Rd
Christ the King Church, Bowfield Rd
The Boarding House (open hrs)
Howwood Primary School fence
Keystore, Spateston
Keystore, Corseford
Johnstone Town Hall
Scottish Fire & Rescue
• 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)
Onyx Leisure Centre
Spar, Clippens Rd
Asda
Outside GP Practice, Main St
PAISLEY
Russell Institute
• William Quarriers House (entrance to Faith Ave)
Country View
Coffee Shop Takeaways only
Check FB Café at the Carrick Monday - Friday: 10am - 4pm Saturday : 9.30am - 3pm Shop/Centre 01505 229597 Gryffe Manor Out of School: (Monday - Friday) 01505 615438 Dance West Scotland: enquiries@dancewestscotland.co.uk
Weekly
DWL R2,3,& MH 5pm
Diaporama R2 9th @ 7.30pm
Handiwives R4 12th @ 7.30pm
Yoga R2 7pm (from 10th)
Hazel Connelly Art Class R4 1.15pm
DWL R2,3 & MH 4pm
WRADS MH 10th @ 7.30pm
DWL R2,3,& MH 3.30pm
MOO MUSIC R2 9.45am
Gryffe Camera Club R2 7.30pm
Women’s Institute R1 11th @ 7.30pm
Cllr Audrey Doig 18th @ 7pm
Community Council 18th @ 7.30pm
Gryffe Quilting Group R2 10am – 3pm (From 12th)
Crafty Friends R5 19th @ 7.30pm
Folk Club MH 8pm
DWL MH 5.30pm
Move It Or Lose It MH 10.30am (From 12th)
Yoga R2 10.30am (From 13th)
DWL R2,3,& MH 3.30pm
Gavin Newlands MP R1 13th @ 12.30pm
Cllr Alison Dowling R1 20th @ 11.15am
Natalie Don MSP R1 2nd @12 noon
DWL R1,2,3, & MH 9.30am
Cllr Robert Innes R5 11th @ 11am
Baptist Church 11am and 6pm
Centre Patrons PLEASE ADVISE date or time changes due to holidays to Centre Management
Booking enquiries:
Bill Haddow 01505 690693
Stewart Scally 01505 674277 John McDougall 07735 473645 thecarrickcentre@gmail.com hostbookings@outlook.com
As is typical of the generosity of the Houston Community, the response to the appeal for the donations of Christmas Gifts for the Children of Prisoners has been tremendous. They are children supported at the visitors’ support and advice service at Perth Prison and the visitors’ centre family hub at Polmont Prison, both run by CrossReach, the social work arm of the Church of Scotland.
The CrossReach prison visitor service aims to provide a gift at Christmas to each of the children with whom it comes into contact. Many of the children of prisoners have very little and, when it comes to Christmas, they can feel very left out. As evidenced by the photograph, taken at the end of the Gift Service, none of these children will have missed out. CrossReach needed a very large van to transport the gifts north. They, and indeed more so the children they support, are very grateful for the willingness of those in the Houston Community in supporting them.
By the time you read this the Kirk Postie will have delivered hundreds of Christmas Cards and in doing so will have generated significant donations for St Vincent’s Hospice. How much? You will to wait another month to find out!
At the Christmas Services Retiral Offerings have been requested for the Kirk’s chosen charities for 2022. These charities will again be supported in 2023:
• St Vincent’s Hospice –providing in-patient and day-care to those with life-limiting conditions.
• Scottish Huntington’s Association –supporting specialist care for those impacted by Huntington’s disease.
• The Mwandi Baby Milk Project –purchasing baby milk for children where mothers are unable to provide this.
Support of the Foodbank has continued to be one of the successful initiatives, supported by the congregation of the Kirk and the wider community. Major contributors have been the Bee Happy/Houston Litter Crew, who purchase provisions from Sainsbury’s with vouchers received in return for recyclable containers, either discarded or collected from local businesses. The Renfrewshire Foodbank reported that so far in 2022 they had received from the Kirk Foodbank 10,140 kg of food, equating to 24,144 meals for those in crisis in Renfrewshire. Julie Edmiston, Assistant Manager at Renfrew, said: “This is an incredible amount of food and we are grateful to each and every person who has helped contribute to this”.
The Foodbank collection continues at the West Halls, Main Street, Houston every Tuesday 10am – 12noon and 7pm – 8pm. Those who benefit are most grateful and are hopeful of continuing support.
Our first meeting of 2023 will be on Wednesday 11th January when we look forward to enjoying a “Scottish Night”. In February we celebrate our Birthday with a meal out.
We are meeting this year in The Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. Please come and join us, you will be made very welcome. If you would like further information please phone 07932 459994.
local community, local business, local life
I hope you all managed to get a nice break over the festive period and are looking forward to the new year ahead.
I was pleased to receive an update on the Traffic Calming Studies which have taken place in villages across Renfrewshire including Houston. A series of engagement sessions with local stakeholders along with assessments of traffic volumes, speeds and travel patterns took place over several months. Renfrewshire Council have now come up with a series of potential traffic calming measures which includes a range of improvements to footways, junctions and pedestrian crossings around Houston village.
I have also been working with council officers on how we can introduce further traffic calming measures on Houston Road at Crosslee and also at Magnus Road and Fulton Drive. The gasworks that recently took place at Barrochan Road only emphasised the need for better access to the schools in Houston from Craigends and I am keen for this to be explored further this year.
I was really pleased to see the improvements and additions to play equipment at Ardgryffe Park being implemented as part of the administration’s commitment to improving Renfrewshire’s green spaces and play parks. More work is set to be carried out at Houston Public Park to improve equipment within this park, in the near future.
I had received reports of the lights being out at the underpasses both leading from St Fillans to Houston Primary and also at the shops leading to Houston Primary. Happy to report that the lights are due to be replaced at both underpasses. It was also highlighted to me that the handrail leading to the underpass from Speirs Road/Hagart Road was in need of repair as it was unsafe. This has now been repaired. As always, if you ever have an issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch and may 2023 be good to you all.
Recently I had the pleasure of visiting some of our Primary Schools. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet staff and find out more about the learning opportunities our teachers and learning assistants provide. Learning Through Play in Primary 1 to 3 was a real eye opener, where children are encouraged to explore and discover, solving problems in imaginative ways. It’s a complete contrast to my experience of early Primary when it was sums in the morning and writing in the afternoon and if like me you struggled there wasn’t much in the way of support. The visit reminded me of how committed our teachers and education staff are, the dedication and care were clear to see.
Whilst at Lochwinnoch Primary I discussed concerns about the path connecting the main school and the infant classrooms. This steep and uneven path is used twice a day by young pupils to access the playground and dinner hall. I’ve asked council officers to look at how this can be improved.
I’m delighted Renfrewshire Council is submitting funding bids to the Heritage National Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland for £3.5million to invest in Johnstone, Kilbarchan and the villages. I’m pleased that my Education and Culture background enabled me to identify funding opportunities which hadn’t been realised until now. In providing these to fellow Ward Cllrs they’ve been explored and at last we will see long awaited improvements. Meanwhile I’ve asked to meet the Chief Executive of OneRen to discuss the potential of Kilbarchan Steeple Hall as a satellite of Paisley Museum hosting exhibitions including woven textiles, for which the village is known.
Finally, I’m pleased to report that a new method of monitoring evening working at Kilbarchan Asphalt depot has been established. I met with Council Officers before Christmas to discuss how this will work in order that the noise nuisance late at night can be reduced.
cllr.gillian.graham@renfrewshire.gov.uk
The Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly group aims to reach people with Dementia, their carers or family. In addition, provide social interaction and support for older members of our community and then open to all if numbers allow. For more information contact 07868 752814
We had a fantastic Christmas Tea Dance on Friday 2nd December at Lochwinnoch Golf Club. The fantastic Music Box entertained us and there were lots of great moves on the floor. The Lochwinnoch Primary School Captains also joined in with the dancing and were a great help serving and helping with the tea!
Dates for your Diary for 2023
Friday 10th February 2pm - 4pm Film Show Calder U.F. Church Hall
Friday 21st April Coach trip to Cardwell Bay Garden Centre for Afternoon Tea (Time to be arranged )
Friday 16th June 2pm - 4pm Bingo & Afternoon Tea at Lochwinnoch Golf Club
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We go forward into a New Year which hopefully will be better than the last one.
We had a very busy Christmas at the church and a big thanks to all who attended. A great big thanks to the church members who were responsible for the setting up of the nativity scene and the banners inside the church - this was very much appreciated.
The church is very much a vibrant member of the Howwood community and we welcome anybody and everybody who can come and join us at 10am on a Sunday.
January events:
8th January Holy Communion Service. 10am at Church.
9th January Guild meeting 2.30pm at which Craig Crawford will present a selection of the late John Gray’s slides of Howwood and beyond. Held in Church Hall.
Will be an interesting talk to which all are invited.
18th January The Community Coffee morning will be as usual in Church hall from 10am to 12noon.
Due to a kind donation there will be no charge for the meeting. Tea, coffee and biscuits will also be supplied free to all who attend.
Please come and support this very worthy meeting in the village. A great chance to meet and talk with friends and neighbours.
23rd January Guild meeting 2.30pm where a speaker from CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) will give a talk explaining about the CAB and its work.
Lots to learn and appreciate.
Sunday School and Service every Sunday at 10am.
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Kilbarchan Parish Church. Services continue at 11am each Sunday, conducted by Rev Stephen Smith. There will be a short service on 1st January. On Sunday 8th there will be the Sacrament of Holy Communion in church after the service. Junior Church meets in the small hall from 10.45am. All welcome.
The Midweek Fellowship resumes on Wednesday 11th January at 10.30am in the small hall.
The Tots’ Club resumes on Monday 9th from 9.15am - 11.30am in the large hall.
Kilbarchan Parish Church Guild has 2 meetings in January - Tuesday 10th at 2.30pm a talk entitled “It’s never too late” by Irene Thom and on 24th an afternoon of entertainment by members of the Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra. Come along and get your feet tapping!
For info an all the church groups, please visit: www.kilbarchankirk.org
We have a Planning meeting early in January when we shall plan our programme until June, for the first few months on zoom then face to face. The book group will discuss The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, and weather permitting, the walking group will resume. For more info please either phone 703786 or visit the website: www.nwr.org.uk
opening Times:
Spanish Conversation 2pm3.45pm (University of the 3rd Age)
Craft Group 2pm - 4pm (every 2nd Tuesday)
Book Group 7.15pm - 8.30pm (once a month - next meeting 10th Jan)
Yoga with Elizabeth 10am - 11.30am & 7.30pm - 9pm (waiting list)
Move it or Lose it 2pm -3pm (exercise for over 60’s)
Family History 7pm (once a month)
Friday
Bridge 2pm - 4pm
Members old and new will be made most welcome.
The Old Library Centre will re-open on Monday 10th January at 10am.
The Old Library Centre 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan, PA10 2EF
Kipco is a Scottish charity, SC031251, and is run by volunteers
Monday – Friday: 10am to 12noon & 2pm to 4pm 01505 706070 kipcokil@hotmail.com www.kipco.org
There is an important development in potential new funding for the Steeple Hall in Kilbarchan. Over the summer, following prompting by Kilbarchan Community Council, I wrote to the Council Leader urging action to find new funding sources. Consequently, following involvement with Cllr Emma Rodden and support from other ward Councillors, the Council Officers are looking to submit a bid for £3.5 million to Historic Environment Scotland for a major heritage project covering buildings in Johnstone and Kilbarchan. This is very positive news indeed for the village.
Action is also forthcoming early in the new year on the much vexed matter of the Midton Rd/Bowfield Rd junction barrier. Early in January council officers have agreed to attend the monthly meeting of Howwood Community Council as they have come up with two main options for improvement, following on from a motion I put to the full council last September, which they will put to the meeting for discussion. Some Howwood constituents have sent me detailed and very positive ideas to improve the junction which I have passed on to the Roads Department and I am extremely hopeful that we can improve this accident hot spot once and for all.
As well as being one of the most beautiful council wards in Renfrewshire Ward 9 must also top the bill for attracting more planning applications from major developers than any other ward in Renfrewshire Council. All the villages in our ward, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch need more housing, but of the right kind in the right place and that is the cause of legitimate heated debate as to whether certain developments are worthy of support, or not. My understanding is that the Burnfoot Rd application by Stewart Milne Homes is likely to go to the Planning Board early in the new year. To make your views known please e mail dc@ renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Surgeries: Second Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm, Lilybank Bowling Club, Johnstone and 7.30pm the Old Library, Kilbarchan. On the fourth Wednesday of the month they are at 6.30pm, Howwood Bowling Club and then at 7.30pm in Lochwinnoch Bowling Club
‘
The Angels Share’ with Whisky tasting and music (£20)!!
Friday 20th January at Lochbarr from 7pm
To reserve tickets, call Gill on 07761172726
Tonight you Belong to Me
Saturday 18th February, McKillop Hall (Bar) Doors 7pm, Show 7.30pm
With her hear-melting, smoky, evocative voice, Christine will sing some of the most celebrated songs and engrossing stories from the Jazz Age; the era of Prohibition, women’s suffrage, radio, flappers, vamps, A decade of heroes and villains, of sex scandals, literary giants and criminal loves all beautifully bound in the seductive rhythms of jazz.
Nominated for best female vocalist at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2020.
Tickets £12 available at Now and Then Gifts or online at www.eventbrite.co.uk www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk
My December contribution was lost in the Council IT ether - apologies.
Christmas Lights were switched on in Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village. All were happy and well attended affairs. Ellis, Jamie and Seb from KPS attended the full Education Committee in the Council Chambers. They clearly, and with good diction, took turns to explain their eco-project. The Head, Simone McCredie was back-up. I was impressed by their working with the Haven. The school’s mantra of Kindness, Positivity and Success shone through.
Alda and Joanna’s retirement party at the Cross Café was a splendid affair organised by the staff. We are already missing them and I am at loss to replace them as a source of “intel”. It was good to hear the “oldies” reliving their school days. One thing they were all agreed on was that the site of the Mac and Mick housing development adjoining the Cemetery was never a “meadow”, it was a tattie field. Ingenuity by the nearby protesters. Older farmers tell me that 50-100 years ago every farm had a potato field. Increasing wet conditions and the heavy ground making it impossible today to harvest the crop.
The outdoor spaces consultation for Kilmacolm with specific reference to Birkmyre park has concluded with an overwhelming preference being additional play equipment for the children’s play area. This would involve a spend of £40k to £60k. There were 278 responses and a dog park/gym was last. Some London Boroughs are experimenting with fines for dog owners who do not carry poo-bags. Not sure about this one, but I am always surprised by the problem at Knapps. Thoughts welcome.
I have asked for an investigation into the £400k drainage system at the Rugby pitches. Birkmyre’s home match against Bishopton, a local derby, was one of only two pitches in the whole of Scotland, declared unplayable recently. The other was in Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis. A rugby pitch is not a bowling green. Bishopton generously agreed to host the match, which resulted in a narrow hard fought win for Birkmyre.
I take this opportunity to wish readers a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Surgery: Saturday 21st January at the Cargill.
david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk
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Yoga with Liz 10am – 11am
Yoga with Janis 10am - 11am
Pilates with Emma 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Yoga with Fiona 6.30pm – 8pm
Kilmacolm Bridge Club 7pm – 10.30pm
Rock Choir 10am - 12noon
Qi Gong 12noon – 1pm
Youth Musical Theatre Classes 5.45pm - 8.15pm Art Club 6pm – 8.30pm Zumba 6pm – 7pm
Embroidery 10am – 12noon
Move It Or Lose It 10.30am – 11.30am
Pensioners Lunch 12.30pm – 2pm (book via Café)
Friendly Bridge 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Yoga 5.45pm – 6.45pm
Pilates with Jennifer 6.15pm – 7.15pm & 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Pilates with Jennifer 9.30am – 10.30am
Art 10am – 12noon
Acting For Fun 5pm – 8.30pm
Metafit 6.30pm – 7pm Kettle Bells 7pm – 7.30pm
Art 10am – 12noon
Moo Music Inverclyde 10.30am – 11.30am
Singing for Health & Wellbeing 11.30am – 12.30pm Special Events in January
The Solas Bereavement Drop-In Group will be meeting in the Lounge of the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm on Thursday 12th January at 2pm. As always, this meeting is open to all with no preregistration 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
OUTLOOK resumes in the Kidston Hall on Thursday 19th January at 2pm for fellowship and friendship. Everyone is most welcome.
We have created our meetings for February already and are delighted to say that on Thursday 2nd we will be hearing about Dementia Friendly Inverclyde with Bethan Dunsmore. On Thursday 16th we will be finding out about the world famous Oberammergau visit by Anne McGregor.
OUTLOOK’ is a social community group led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk, extending fellowship and friendship and a warm welcome to everyone. The group meets in Kidston Hall on 1st and 3rd Thursdays monthly from 2pm to 3.30pm. A delicious afternoon tea is provided by the volunteer team, with all donations in the Thank You Box given to Local Charities. Meetings traditionally enjoy a guest speaker, or videos, quiz, tombola, or easy keep fit.
26th
Come along and watch the 2022 blockbuster ‘Mrs Harris goes to Paris’. Free entry and open to all and a glass of wine on admission. Donations welcome.
A special thank you to the Social Team of the Old Kirk who organised a gift coffee morning in the Kidston Hall in December. They donated the proceeds of the Hampers Raffle to Ardgowan Hospice and collected many gifts at the door for the local charities appeal. These, plus the overwhelming generosity of the congregation at the Gift Sunday service the next day, meant that warm clothing, toys, books, chocolate boxes, toiletries were distributed between the three local charities - HSCP children and families, Women’s Aid, and Crossreach support for those suffering homeless, dementia, substance abuse, learning disabilities. Thank you to Susan Houston and the Social Team.
The Trust is a local charity with three hundred members. It relies on membership fees and donations to finance its activities, helping to preserve the integrity and beauty of Kilmacolm and Quarriers. It interacts often with Inverclyde Council regarding planning matters.
As well as these main functions, the KCT holds a huge amount of information on the history of Kilmacolm and Quarriers. At present we are digitising this to make it available to members and others. The website www.kilmacolmcivictrust.org also has historical items. How about trying this: On the website home page go to “About Kilmacolm” then “Village Stories” and click on Brown McMinn where you will find a history, in three parts, related by Brownie in 1953. This is in written or audio form. It illustrates his memories of Kilmacolm from the early 1900’s. Also on the website is our constitution and how to join the Trust. You will be very welcome.
Invitation to our Ladies Fellowship January meetings, alternate Tuesdays at 2.15pm – 3.30pm in the Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, Kilmacolm, PA13 4QF
Monday
Monday
Sunday 1st January 2023: The New Year’s Day Service will be a joint service with St Columba’s in the Old Kirk at 11am. All our services are streamed online through our Facebook Page @kilmacolmold and can be watched live or at any point afterwards for those who cannot attend. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram via @KilmacolmOld
Tuesday 10th January; Speaker: Sheena MacFarlane
Tuesday 24th January; Speaker from Vine Trust All ladies welcome
I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Let’s hope 2023 is a better year for us all and the world in general.
Following a community consultation on how to spend £65,000 allocated by the Council for improvements to Birkmyre Park the most popular ideas were additional or new play equipment, additional seating and picnic tables, a wildflower display and additional tree planting. Council officers will now draw up plans for these investments. I have also been able to secure £25,000 from the Council’s play parks investment fund to increase the amount available for play equipment.
Council Officers have drawn up proposals for a mandatory 20mph zone in Kilmacolm village centre. The proposals have been put out for consultation and responses will be reviewed and put before the Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee for consideration before any further action is taken, along with proposals for other town and village centres.
Kilmacolm Primary Parent Partnership secured £3,000 from the Council’s Warm Hand of Friendship Small Grants Fund to provide warm boxes for those in need over the winter period. They are also working in partnership with the community centre and community council to provide a warm space in the centre over the winter period. This is an excellent example of community partnership in action.
The Council’s Environment & Regeneration Committee has approved a new Net Zero Action Plan covering the five-year period 2022 - 2027 aimed at reducing the Council’s and the community’s carbon footprint. We will look to reduce energy use and demand in our buildings; introduce new low/zero carbon heating systems; carry out a local peatland restoration project and convert our fleet to electric vehicles. This will require a significant financial investment by the Council and we will also seek to attract external funding.
Surgery: Boglestone Community Centre on Tuesday 17th January from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
You donated several hundred toys along with financial donations and all of your donations ensured that children living-in poverty in Inverclyde had presents to open on Christmas morning. Wonderful generosity from the good and kind residents of Kilmacolm. We’l�� ���� b������ to ���� ���� al�� ������in �������� Ch��i��t������ 2023!
In association with Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland (Charity No:SC038274) – Sunday Services continue from January at 10.30am in Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, PA13 4QF – all welcome.
The Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Annual Whist Drive is being held on Friday 17th February at 7pm in Kilmacolm Community Centre. Tickets priced £5 (payable on the night) include a light supper. There will also be a raffle.
Thank you to all the businesses and residents in the area for supporting the fundraiser on the 3rd December. We raised more than £1,100 and this will give us the possibility to start a singing group for people with early dementia and people that feel isolated and would benefit from such a group.
Details will be released after the new year.
Classes will resume on Friday 20th January at 11.30am in Kilmalcolm Community centre. To book your space please contact Daniela on 07949 071653.
We had a lovely time in the run up to Christmas at Kilmacolm Playgroup. Our children enjoyed making lots of sparkly Christmas crafts to take home and share with friends and family. We read Christmas stories and learned some Christmas songs too. Christmas messy play with snow foam and glitter kept everyone entertained (and our parents were glad the mess was at playgroup and not at home!) We are excited to start our new term on the 10th January 2023 with new weekly themes and activities and some new friendships to make in the New Year. We have some spaces for 2023 if you would like your child to come and join in the fun.
Kilmacolm Playgroup operates during school term time on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 9.30am -11.30am for children aged 2 years and 4 months to 5 years old. We provide a wide range of activities to promote physical, creative, imaginative, and social development while inspiring confidence and building friendships. We also have our Toddler group on a Wednesday morning 10am - 11.30am, this is a drop-in session that you can attend with your children from birth onwards. If you would like to reserve a space for playgroup please contact us at: playgroupmembership@gmail.com
Here at St Columba’s, we are working towards gaining our UNICEF Rights Respecting School Silver Award. As part of this, the whole school – led by our SVI Mental Health Ambassadors – marked Anti-Bullying Week in November. This was a great opportunity to talk about issues surrounding bullying and how we can work together to stamp it out. We started the week with Odd Socks Day and finished with Odd Tie Day as a visual reminder that we are all different (and that’s okay)!
Our Senior School Amnesty group have been working hard this term raising awareness about the work done by the charity Refuweegee, collecting muchneeded donations of toiletries, and delivering them to the Refuweegee offices in Glasgow. They focused on collecting toiletries this year after
starter kits they provide
The children in Junior School have also been thinking a lot about charity this term and taking part in events and activities that will help to improve the lives of others. In November, everyone got to wear their own clothes for the day to support this year’s BBC Children in Need – there were lots of Pudsey jumpers, t-shirts, ears and even eye patches on show. At lunchtime, Junior 6 hosted a bake sale raising a grand total of £767.10 for the charity appeal.
As well as this, Junior School have been collecting items throughout
November and December to donate to the Inverclyde Foodbank and to the Children in Poverty Inverclyde’s Christmas Present Appeal. We were delighted to be able to hand over more than 100 presents to help ensure that every child in Inverclyde has a present to open on Christmas morning. We feel it is incredibly important to teach our young people about the importance of charity and helping support those in need in our local communities and beyond.
If you are considering a Columban education for your child, please do not hesitate to email admissions@st-columbas.org to arrange a tour in-person.
It’s
Science has been a major feature of the last few months and we have enjoyed a variety of different scientific learning experiences.
Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Primary 7 have been studying renewable and non-renewable energy sources, learning how we can move forward to find different ways to create
power. They had a fascinating visit to the Whitelee Windfarm on Eaglesham Moor. Part of the fun was taking a trip in an electric bus out to see the turbines, which look vast up close. The P7s also had the opportunity to conduct experiments on which blade was the best shape. Apparently Mrs McMahon was the only one who guessed correctly – you can tell she’s a scientist!
We also like to turn our scientific skills to a profit, with P4 and P5/4 using a variety of materials to create their own luscious bath bombs! They sold for a great profit, bring together enterprise and scientific success.
P6 have been appreciating the expertise of the Gryffe High School Science; learning about the intricacies of independent variables, mass and distance, and how to make a hypothesis. All of this is wonderful preparation for moving up to secondary school.
Finally, once again the Primary 7s have enjoyed a visit from the Glasgow Science Centre in which they took part in a mock-up CSI-style investigation of a castle crime scene. It was great to experiment with forensics and see how crucial science is to solving crime.
All in all, it has been a wonderfully scientific time with physics and chemistry in abundance. We look forward to developing this further in the second half of the session with the warmer weather giving us opportunities to be out and about enjoying nature and the biological processes involved there.
We are delighted to announce that Houston Primary School has been selected to take part in the very first LEAF project. Only 55 schools in Scotland were chosen and we can’t wait to get started!
We will be working towards achieving our Learning for Sustainability goal, as part of our ongoing 8th Eco School green flag award. Our pupils will connect with nature and develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Primary 1 and Primary 7 plan to work in partnership outdoors, learning about their environment , how it works and how to protect it.
Last session the Gardening Club grew spectacular sunflowers. At the end of the season the flower heads were hung up indoors until the seeds were dry enough to be collected, put into small packets and sold at the Garden Stall at the Christmas Fayre to raise funds for next years plants.
The Gardening Club planted crocus, tulips and daffodils in large planters in preparation for spring time for our main entrance. Mrs Morrison and her team, decided that each class in the school should do this too. So nineteen large planters were purchased and filled, with the Gardening Club team taking the leading role in supporting all the classes with planting. The outsides of the planters were also decorated, making them extra special. Mrs Morrison will be back to judge the winning planter. Our recycling campaign continues, and we would very much appreciate donations of clothing for our Rag Bag initiative. Last term we gained £52 for our efforts. The money paid for gardening equipment and seeds. The Bee Happy team and all of our pupils continue to make improvements to our local environment, by regularly litter picking, planting, trimming and weeding. The driveway down to the school now has so much ‘kerb’ appeal. Please help us to keep Houston tidy and beautiful.
On 13th December our pupils put on their Christmas jumpers to raise very much needed funds for the hospice which has supported so many of members of the community. Thanks to all those who contributed.
The musicians played and The Year of the Stories singer songwriters performed at the Houston Light Switch On and Cora Byrne of Primary 7 saw her winning light design lit up for the first time, alongside previous winners from Houston and St Fillan’s Primary School.
Well done to all P6 and P7 children who participated in the Renfrewshire Road Race. They did very well with P6 boys and P6 girls teams being awarded with overall first place across Renfrewshire. Our P7 boys also came first and P7 girls gained an overall 3rd position. An amazing achievement!
Ski Team
Houston Primary Ski Team competed in the Scottish Schools Snowsports Association qualifier race at Glasgow Ski Centre.
This was our first ever ski team event and the pupils showed great sportsmanship throughout.
The ‘A’ team made it into the ski offs, for the top 8 teams out of 23 entries, which was a great achievement.
Primary 4 pupils were delighted to have a visit from Skye McKenna who is the author of The Hedgewitch. She answered all of the pupils questions and told them about growing up in Australia.
If
you were previously in care, you can get a place for them for free. You can also get a place for a two year old if they are currently in care (such as kinship care) or if you get certain benefits.
If your child is old enough to be at nursery or childcare now and you haven’t applied, please do so as soon as possible.
Three year olds will start nursery or childcare in August 2023 or the month after they turn three. Two year olds will start in either August, January or April after they turn two. You can choose a nursery or a childminder and ask for your preferred hours or days you’d like your child to attend.
Apply online by searching ‘apply for a nursery or childcare place’ on the website www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/nurseries or contact your local nursery for a paper form. You can also download a form if you prefer.
We were asked to create some art work for the Stories and Legends of Houston event in November. This was to link in to Houston past, present and the future. Houston once had a thriving weaving industry and this is where the basis of our inspiration came from. Discussions then took place with the children on what weaving is and how it can be created, looked at old pictures of the village and watched examples of weaving on the smartboard. We then took to looking around the local community as to what could further inspire us in the creating of our commemorative piece of work? Then it came to us, the autumnal colours within the woodland area around Houston House and Houston and Killellan Kirk.
The children have been working very hard over the past number of weeks on their weaving, sewing and tapestry skills. Their use of embroidery thread, wool, satin ribbon and curling ribbon has allowed different textures to be included across the entire piece. Earthy tones used within the bottom section represents the woodland floor which is covered in fallen leaves, soil and grass. The middle section represents the amazing autumnal colours of the trees and the free flowing wool represents the leaves moving in the wind and the top section represents a crisp clear autumn sky with all the different shades of blue that can be found within it. We are very pleased to be able to now share with you all our finished showpiece which we are extremely proud of to say the least. Well done to all that took part in creating this wonderful representation of our beloved woodlands and for allowing our communities history to be explored and revisited.
Flying Fish Project
P6/5 and P6 worked with the Clyde River Foundation to find out if our local waterway was clean and healthy.
The children went to Bog Park and carried out tests in the Old Mill Lead. They carried out kick-sampling tests and electric fishing to find out how many invertebrates and fish were living in the water. Brown trout were found to be present - the various sizes indicated how old the fish were and that the river has been clean and healthy for four years and eight months. They also found various invertebrates including freshwater shrimp, freshwater limpets, cased caddis fly larvae, flattened mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymph, water beetles, worms, blackfly larvae and leeches. An inspection of the habitat around the river was carried out, as this can also give clues about its health.
There are lots of different types of trees around the river which provide shade as fish prefer dappled light. The trees also provide habitats for insects and when it rains the insects fall off and into the river providing food for the fish. It’s best to have a diversity of tree species around the river because different insects live in different species of tree. The trees also provide habitats for the fish and invertebrates living the in the water as branches and broken pieces of tree provide the perfect shelter for them to live under.
There was also lots of grass around the river which soaks up the water when it rains and prevents the river from overflowing. Unfortunately, they discovered invasive plants in the area - Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed. These plants take over which means there won’t be much space for other plants.
Our findings found that Old Mill Lead’s health was fair.
“It was an amazing experience,” Myla, P5.
“I learned lots of new things that I didn’t know before,” Penny, P5.
“It was fun going in the river,” Ruby, P6.
“I liked that we learned about the surroundings of the river and how to be careful with it,” Emily, P6.
“I liked looking at the insects and putting them into the Petri dish,” Brody, P6.
“I really enjoy using the microscope to look at the invertebrates,” Ella, P5.
“I enjoyed seeing the brown trout swimming,” Morna, P5.
“I liked the kick-sampling. I liked kicking it as hard as I could,” Alistair, P6.
ISBN 9781801044479
Illustrated by Spencer Wilson Little Tiger Press GroupThis chunky board book is perfect for little dinosaur lovers. Turn the wheel to mix and match the dinosaurs. Each segment of the wheel contains a different texture for sensory play and exploration and is perfect for developing hand eye coordination. Which dinosaur will you make today, spin the wheel to find out! Perfect for 6+ months
ISBN 9780241473320
Illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez
Penguin Random House Children’s UK
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with a magical return to Neverland. Martha Pennydrop is ten years old and lives with her father and younger brother ‘Scruff’. The family have recently moved into their new home with their ever faithful cat Fluffington. Since Martha turned ten she has been determined that she will stop playing childish games of make believe and will grow up; it was due to a silly game that something awful nearly happened to her brother and it would have been all her fault! But something magical is afoot at number 14 Darlington Road, for this was the house of the Darlings who once travelled to the world of Neverland on a magical adventure with Peter Pan. Now Peter is back and he needs the help of Martha and Scruff. Neverland is in the icy grip of a terrible curse cast by Captain Hook and only they can save it! But after arriving in Neverland, Scruff is kidnapped and Martha must rediscover the wonders of magic and her imagination in order to free him and save Neverland. For 8+ readers who love magical adventures!
by SF Said
ISBN 9781788452830
Illustrated by Dave McKean David Fickling Books
A dark fantasy novel set in a dystopian London of the near-future. In this London, a strict social order is maintained through fear and slavery is yet to be abolished. Adam and Zadie are outsiders who discover a wounded mythical creature - the Tyger - hiding out in a rubbish dump. As Adam and Zadie vow to protect the Tyger from those who would hunt it down, the Tyger helps the children tap into their hidden powerspowers that will have unforeseen consequences for their entire world. A breathtaking story full of thrills that will capture the imagination of readers aged 10+ from the very first page.
Al�� ����o��t L����a�� ����w ����a��: T����n���� t�� Mak�� ������ Do by Kevin Tsang
ISBN 9780702315237
Illustrated by Linh Nguyen Scholastic
Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays celebrated across Asia. This beautiful book is filled with crafts and recipes, fun activities and facts about the Lunar New Year celebrations observed by over one billion people. Find out about the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac and learn why they’re so important to the Lunar New Year as well as the other stories behind this festival. Children can also create magical decorations, plan for the wonderful year ahead and make delicious food such as Korean rice cake soup, Chinese walnut cookies and Dumplings! Enjoy making magical lanterns, paper firecrackers and designing a rooster mask with this fantastic book by the author of the bestselling Dragon Realm series. A wonderful activity book for the entire family to enjoy
The children worked really hard creating lots of Christmas crafts to sell to parents at the annual Christmas fayre. A special visitor even took time out of his very busy schedule to attend the event and overall, we raised a fantastic £1,400 for nursery funds. The trustees and staff would like to thank everyone who contributed to and attended the event. The children produced their usual unique Christmas show, Santa’s Space Adventure. This was completely written and produced by the children with the guidance of the skilled staff team. This year there was a space theme to link with the children’s recent learning about space, which included a visit to Glasgow Science Centre. They also took part in Christmas jumper day with a performance from Clyde Built Puppet Theatre. The after-school children visited Loom Walk Action for Children Centre, where they exchanged gifts and joined together to sing some well-known Christmas songs. The term was rounded off with parties for the nursery and after school children. During our Christmas events we raised money for SIMBA, a charity supporting families who have lost babies.
The nursery currently has termtime availability for children aged 3–5 years. We also offer an out of school care service
Primary School. For more information, please contact the nursery on 01505 704839 or check out our website https://kilbarchancn.com/
Our recent book week was a great success. Events included a big book swap, mystery reader sessions and our very own reading festival - BOOKFEST. Pupils were all fully involved in the preparations and organisation of BOOKFEST with our classes taking ownership of a different element of the festival including the designing of the tickets, posters and the special VIP passes which allowed pupils access to our VIP books and a story session by the campfire.
The children of Langbank also demonstrated their knowledge of books through-out the week during reading quizzes and challenges which took place such as guess the famous character which was set up as an outdoor scavenger hunt. The week ended with a special assembly dedicated to Book Week Scotland where pupils shared their highlights from the week. A special highlight from Primary 1 was having their parents and families in to join them for a special book gifting session on the Skoobmobile Library. A clear passion and joy for reading is always visible in our little school no matter what week it is, but we are already looking forward to World Book Day where the magic of books will come alive again in Langbank once again.
At Langbank we are very proud of our school football team who won 3 out of 4 of their recent matches with the local primary schools. The team showed great sportsmanship and determination during each match and the school could not be more proud.
As a follow up to our recent successful Digital Art Exhibition, Primary 5 showcased their own art pieces at our local store, Tesco Port Glasgow. Our learners did a fantastic job of speaking with customers and sharing their process and meaning behind their art. In addition, P5 pupils asked customers a range of questions to collect data ahead of our maths lessons in Data Handling. Thank you to Community Champion, Dawn McQuillan, for making us so welcome during our visit. We are proud of how Primary 5 represented the school and displayed our Langbank Primary REACH values.
Taking that big step of starting nursery school can be challenging for some children, which makes the decision on which pre-school to choose for their child difficult for parents. Duchal, the only specialist nursery in the area, offers a small caring environment to ensure the children flourish during their time before primary school. Now open 8am – 6pm daily during term time and offering free funded places for 3 – 5yr olds, Duchal Nursery, is a forward thinking nursery which really does give children the best start in life. We are now accepting applications for free funded places for August 2023, please get in touch to request an application form by emailing: info@duchal.com It was so special to be able to hold our wonderful nativity in person again, it is such a perfect setting to capture the excitement of the festive season and so lovely for the children to be able to share it with family and friends. The build up to the festive period was a merry (and somewhat messy) time filled with Christmas crafts with plenty of glitter, an abundance of Christmas songs and anticipation for the big day.
We are now looking forward to the year ahead with exciting topics chosen by our children to learn and explore. We’re starting off with the very important “People that help us” topic which will see weekly themes of a police station, vets and doctors surgery being set up in the nursery allowing imaginative and interactive play alongside learning about how these people help us.
To find out more about what Duchal can offer, please visit our website: www.duchal.com and keep up to date with all the latest news on Facebook, however the best way to discover more is to come for a visit and see for yourself. Please get in touch to arrange a visit – either email: info@ duchal.com or call 01505 874358.
Strathgryffe had a successful season with several teams picking up prizes at the recent Tennis West of Scotland prizegiving ceremony. Pictured are the winners of the Ladies 60+ league competition.
The club’s new tennis coaching block running from January until late March is now live for bookings. There are indoor and outdoor classes for all playing standards from children aged 3 to adults.
For further information go to https://clubspark. lta.org.uk/StrathgryffeLTC/Coaching
Huge congratulations to all our Prize-winners this year! We had a fabulous turnout for our Ladies dinner and Prizegiving on 11th November. A lot of hard work went into making the night run smoothly and with number of prizes, keeping to time was a task in itself! The entire committee was involved, but special thanks goes to Linda Anderson, our Vice Captain, for chasing down the trophies to get them all engraved and organising all the prizes. The new Gin Goblets with the Club Crest were a big hit!
We started our golfing festivities with the annual Santa Swing on 3rd December and as usual the Ladies of Old Ran did not disappoint! 44 ladies turned out in their Christmas finery, on a lovely crisp and sunny day. The competition was an individual Stableford and the sustenance was mince pies and mulled wine. We had a great day, as you can see.
Congratulations to Lana Wilson who won the Stableford with a smashing 33 points and to Susan McFall for best dressed on the day. Good job ladies!
Thank you to our Lady Captain and her committee for organising another wonderful event. We know these things don’t just happen and a lot of work goes into make it look effortless. Special thanks for the homemade scones, mince pies and mulled wine delivered on course by Santa and one of his elves. All the ladies brought along a toy making a substantial haul. All donated to the Renfrewshire Toybank, meaning that children less fortunate than our own will wake up on Christmas morning with a wrapped gift during these tough times.
A huge thank you, as always, goes to our magnificent caterers Louise and Heather @ Stewart Catering. We don’t know how you do it, but you do, and without fail! Everything from our 4 course seated dinner at Prizegiving, to our homemade soups and sandwich platters at Santa Swing is perfectly executed .
Thank you also to all our bar and waiting staff. We are so so lucky and appreciate you all. We wish you a Happy and Healthy 2023 from all the ladies of Old Ranfurly.
As the year drew to a close, we celebrated the successes of the season with prize-givings for the Juniors, Ladies and Gents sections, well done to all those that scooped the prizes, but it’s not just about the winning, it is about celebrating our friendly, welcoming club allowing all members to enjoy our wonderful game at the level and commitment that suits them.
We welcome our new Captains for the year, Club Captain, George Morris, Ladies Captain, Maura Whyte and Junior Captain, Alexander Farmer, we wish them a happy, successful and dry year of golf ahead.
The clubhouse was busy during the run up to Christmas with delicious festive lunches provided by our talented chef, Neil, who catered for groups large and small to whet the appetite before the big day.
The greens staff have been working tirelessly around the course preparing ahead for the new season, while the Pro team are still busy running coaching sessions inside and out for our members. The indoor studio is being well used in the evenings and during days of inclement weather, a fantastic facility for all members to enjoy.
We are looking forward to once again being able to hold our Burns Supper later in the month, this will no doubt be the start of many social occasions planned throughout the year.
PHOTOS:- Ladies Section Prize Winners 2022 (Above right)
- Junior Champion (Immediate right) - Club Champion 2022 (Far Right)
With the mild weather continuing well into November, the ladies have been enjoying playing winter golf - when it has stopped raining! The winter Knockout competition is well under way and the Final Swing 12 hole Competition took place on 19th October, with 28 players taking part and Gillian Donaghy winning with 27 stableford points.
Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir (Opposite Amaretto) Tuesday: 7pm Miss the Original Reebok Step Class? Then come along for fun, fabulous music, full body workout, feel fantastic!
Limited spaces available. Mo 07505 126416
St Machars Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Monday: 9.30am / 10.40am / 7pm Booking essential. Zoom option also available. Yvonne 07786 224 367 yvonne@clydephysiotherapy.co.uk
The Annual Dinner is always a popular evening and this took place on 26th October. 40 ladies enjoyed the excellent food accompanied by a lot of chat and laughter. Captain Morag Cunningham presented prizes to the winners of the Fun Competitions held during the year. The Festive Waltz took place on Wednesday 7th December, the first really hard frosty morning of the winter. 21 ladies played the 9 hole competition, many dressed in festive costumes and had a lot of fun with the ball bouncing in all directions on the hard ground. The golfers were joined by another 15 ladies for a delicious lunch in the Clubhouse and prizes were awarded for the best Xmas outfit, won by Janice Naismith, as well as to the winning golf team consisting of Anne Judge, Morag Cunningham and Sheila Swinnerton with a stableford score of 56 points.
The Ladies AGM will be held in the Clubhouse on Saturday 21st January 2023 at 11am. This will be followed by the presentation of all Trophies won in 2022.
The Ladies would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and hope for good golfing.
Jennifer Sloan Physiotherapy Led Pilates Kilmacolm Community Centre Wednesdays: 6.15pm - 7.15pm 7.30pm - 8.30pm Thursdays: 9.30am - 10.30am Jennifer 07731 303709 jennifer-mcghee@hotmail.co.uk
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 07505 126 416
Gourock, Bridge of Weir, Greenock, Kilmacolm, Houston, Kilbarchan & Langbank
Classes are aimed at the over 60s. We focus on Flexibility, Aerobic Health, Balance and Strength (FABS) exercises.
First class free for new members www.moveitorloseito.co.uk Move-it -or-lose-it-with-fiona Fiona 07811 766672
info@advertizer.co.uk
Carruth Road, Bridge of Weir Monday: 1.45pm
A new dance class for 3 year olds. Adventures in music & movement and introduction to ballet. Places strictly limited - please prebook a place. terry@feranjo.co.uk Terry - 07739 497390
Class members celebrated 90th Birthday in style with a St Andrew’s Day celebration! Jean Carson was ‘giving it laldy’ as she celebrated her 90th birthday with her ‘Move it or Lose it’ class in Kilmacolm. Jean is a fine example that age is just a number. Jean told us she had spent her entire school career in the building where we hold our class which was originally the village school. Congratulations Jean, you are amazing!
A Happy New Year from The Gardening Club to all gardeners. What to do this month? Obviously it is to sit in the warmth indoors and look through gardening catalogues and plan ahead! Last year the predominant colour scheme was red, white and blue. This year gardeners can reflect royal celebrations, or pick from the entire colour spectrum as annual bedding will not be in flower in early May. Always remember, if listening to gardening advice from Monty, we are a month behind. Be guided then by the Beechgrove Garden experts who will give more realistic planting times!
If the weather is decent, check for signs of early bulbs popping up. Gently pull away old leaves which have settled on top of new growth. This will reduce the chance of rot setting in, then push these leaves under shrubs, such as azaleas and rhododendrons which are shallow-rooted. In time, they will appreciate this nourishment. If you have not done so, carefully sprinkle grit round your bulbs to prevent rain seeping down the leaves and into the bulb. Grit will keep muddy splash-marks off flowers on low-growing plants such as Hellebores - remember “Christmas Roses” flower early and are easily splashed. We always keep an eye open for visiting birds and they too have their beady eyes on us, especially in winter, when nourishing food is hard to find. Peanuts, mealworms, sultanas are firm favourites and so too is a mix of seeds set in fat and solidified into squares or balls. Remember, old bread provides carbs, but little nourishment, unless spread lightly with fat, but never goose fat. Refresh water daily and keep both feeders and water containers clean – we must be vigilant and keep Avian Flu out of our gardens!
The walking group has been busy over the last few weeks, but we are into the “silly season” when fun is as important as the exercise!
We had an outing to Pollok Park in Glasgow on a crisp bright winter’s day and enjoyed a chilly stroll around the Heritage Trail before heading for some lunch and culture in the Burrell.
This was followed up by a trip to the outrageous panto at Oran Mor as part of our festive celebrations. 21 members turned up for a pie and a pint and an hour of song and laughter. I think most agreed this was the best panto yet. Oh, yes it was! As usual, we then retired to one of Byres Road’s venerable and most famous hostelries before some members went on-on.
Next up is the trip to Arrochar where we will have a walk before a Christmas lunch in the Village Inn. We are running a bus for that outing, a reflection of past traditions. Fingers crossed for a dry day and some great views.
Into the New Year we will revert to our usual walk programme, exploring all sorts of locations in Scotland. We even have an expedition to the English lakes planned for March. Happy New Year to all from the BoW walkers.
Kilbarchan Smile volunteers, with the support from the local community, Kilbarchan Primary School Head Teacher Fiona Mackenzie and pupil Morna, launched the Mary Barbour panel in New Street Kilbarchan on the 22nd of September. The volunteers thought the area around the Mary Barbour cairn needed enhancement and lacked an explanation who she was and what she had achieved. With funding from Renfrewshire Council communities fund two raised beds with seating were installed. A successful application was made to the Glasgow Flight Path fund to install an interpretation panel that explains who the Kilbarchan-born social campaigner was and to highlight her achievements about 100 years ago. We are now delighted how the area has been improved and helps locals and visitors understand this remarkable local lady.
The HWW are a small group of volunteers whose main objectives are to look after areas within Howwood village. The aim is to improve natural wildlife habitat and enhance the areas for villagers and visitors to enjoy.
The group was formed in 2002 and became a registered Charity in October 2002.
They have three evening meetings per year, plus an AGM to discuss, share ideas and plan activities.
There are currently around ten active members of the HWW and they are always looking for new people to join them.
The HWW meet mainly on Wednesdays at 10am (weather permitting) at the Rhombus garden opposite The Boarding House.
The HWW volunteers currently look after:
• Rhombus Community Garden (area opposite The Boarding House). This takes up a lot of time and effort, but provides an attractive area for people to relax and unwind.
• Isthmus, (area beside bus stop next to Garage)
• Raised Beds, troughs and tubs in The Triangle
• Flower tubs on the five roads leading into the village
The HWW are looking for new members - if you are interested in helping out, come along or contact: Bill David, Chair - bill@billdavid.co.uk
• Millar Leon, Secretary - millarleon90@gmail.com
• Roger Brown, Treasurer - Roger.hovis.brown@googlemail.com
•
Two recycling centres and four public parks are available to ensure that trees are recycled correctly. You can recycle your real Christmas tree from 3rd9th January at the following places:Barshaw Park, Paisley; Paisley Recycling Centre, 52 Underwood Road; Linwood Recycling Centre, Middleton Road; Lochwinnoch Public Park; Thomas Shanks Park, Johnstone; Barwood Park, Erskine
5th January 7.30pm - 9.30pm
The Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley PA1 2DB
The Western Isles – Birding on the Edge (Angus Hogg)
Positioned at the north-west extremity of the British Isles, the Hebridean islands of South Uist, North Uist and Benbecula are ideally situated to attract a wide variety of birds from many different parts of the Northern Hemisphere. In the Spring the rush of migrants northwards is always likely to throw up a few surprises. In Autumn it’s possible to see a Siberian warbler in the same field of view as a North American wader. Add to this the fact that these islands also support a wide range of breeding birds which have vanished from many parts of the Scottish mainland.
Angus’ first visit to this part of the world was in the summer of 1974 and he’s been lucky enough to make repeated trips in Spring and Autumn. This talk will trace a typical year in the Uists, from April through to October, as well as looking at some of the current changes to the landscape through human activity.
All welcome to come along and if they enjoy the talk they can become a member on the night. Tea/coffee and biscuits are available after the talk for which a small donation is appreciated. Disposable cups are provided, but we encourage members to bring their own reusable cups if they are happy to do so.
As the twelfth day after Christmas draws near, residents are being encouraged to recycle their natural Christmas tree this weekend.
Residents can bring their real tree to one of Inverclyde Council’s two recycling depots in Greenock and Gourock.
The Pottery Street, Greenock and Kirn Drive, Gourock recycling depots are open this weekend from 8am to 6pm with the last entry 10 minutes before closing. Find out more about recycling in Inverclyde at www. inverclyde.gov.uk/recycling
The community garden went from strength to strength in 2022! Here is Willie with 10 new planters for the village, these will go round to some new spots in the village.
Also, the containers that are out and about just now have had the summer flowers taken out and spring bulbs and winter pansies planted. We hope that you enjoy the show in the spring!
Happy New Year to everyone from the staff and volunteers at our reserve. The winter days are short and cold with dark nights creeping in early, but there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen at the reserve. The reserve hosts many winter migrants coming in from colder climes, whooper swan, wigeon, teal, goldeneye and goosander. We also play host to redwing, fieldfare and redpoll which can be seen on the woodland trails feasting on berries and fallen fruit. The reserve is beautiful in the winter with glistening frost on the trees and crisp underfoot, if snowy the reserve looks like a beautiful new landscape. If you look hard you might spot animal tracks on the fallen snow, deer, tiny bird tracks or possibly an otter.
If you enjoy watching wildlife and seeing what’s about you could take part in our big garden bird watch which is an annual event on 27th – 29th January. Its so easy to take part, count the birds you see in the space of an hour and send us your results.
If you are not too sure about identifying the birds you see, you could come and take part in our Birding for beginners’ workshop on the 22nd January - booking is essential. We also have a few children’s events our Robin Robin trail finishes on the 8th January and Brilliant Birds kids’ self -led trail from 9th – 31st January. As usual our reserve shop sells all your bird feeding requirements, scopes, binoculars and fancy goods, we also sell hot drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. Call 01505 842663 | Email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Facebook @RSPBLochwinnochNR | Twitter @RSPBLochwinnoch
Running until Sunday 8th January (closed over festive period) 9.30am - 4pm
Every year, Robin joins her family on a big sneak to find food to survive the winter. Complete the trail and you will learn to sing like a robin, find your own superpower and use all your senses to connect with the robin within.
Our exclusive activity packs (£3) will help you complete all the fun challenges along the trail as well as give robin-related activities to do at home, a certificate (for when you become a brilliant robin) and much more!
Monday 9th January - 9.30am - 4pm - £3 per ticket
Take part in this ‘fun for all activity’ where you can discover cool facts about some of the top birds in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Pick up ID tips and how you can encourage them into your garden as you complete a few challenges along the route. Pop back into the visitor centre once completed to claim your reward!!
Kilmacolm Horticultural Society are trialling a slight difference to the traditional evening lectures for January and February. We will be holding two ‘Garden Talks’ in the Community Centre, Kilmacolm at 2pm - 3.30pm on Wednesday 18th January and Thursday 15th February. Tea & Coffee will be served.
On 18th January Sharon Gemmell, director of Parklea Branching Out, will share with us the work of Inverclyde Food Network. The distribution of fresh food from allotments, supermarkets and supporters is sent out to those in hardship in Inverclyde, plus their learning programme on cooking skills, managing a tight budget, family support schemes.
On 15th February the Any Questions panel will share gardening tips and advice - so come along for some garden chat. Plus an informal flower arranging demonstration with a raffle of the exhibits. Evening lectures return in March together with the Spring Bulb competition which will include a section for the Amaryllis bulb - always a show-stopper. We look forward to welcoming you to the Kilmacolm Horticultural Society winter events.
Happy New Year to you and the rest of your family from everyone at Clyde Muirshiel. Castle Semple Café will be closed on New Year’s Day. Trails are open all year round with toilets re-opening at Castle Semple and Muirshiel on 2nd January.
Branching Out Programme Complete. Congratulations to 8 participants from RAMH mental health charity who completed a 12 week programme of woodland activity. The Ranger Service from Castle Semple and Muirshiel Centres did various tasks with the group such as willow weaving, path maintenance, photography and environmental art. They also explored the park via bike and powerboat!
Sheltered Housing Group at Muirshiel - Older adults from Paisley have been enjoying sessions at Muirshiel Country Park creating sock snowmen. The activities have been part of some Christmas festivities with a singsong and a spot of lunch too!
New Year New You! Looking for some gentle exercise and good company? Lochwinnoch Community Walk meets every Monday (except public holidays) at the McKillop at 10.30am and are lead by the Park’s Ranger Service. The first walk of 2023 is Monday 9th January. Or join our conservation volunteers every Thursday. Email above for further details
HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN
Pasta Machine, never used. • £10. Tel: 07483 820024.
Silver Crest Nutrition Mixer, • never used. £15. Tel: 07483 820024.
Salter Omelette maker, never • used. £10. Tel: 07483 820024.
Single ottoman bed with • Emma mattress & duvet set. £90. Tel: 07871 046153.
Second hand Yamato Golf
• Bag with various clubs, balls and tees. £15. Tel: 07483 820024.
Gents Universal Epic Collection • Bicycle. Orange metalic paint. Good condition. £30. Tel: 01505 324439.
• 07483 820024.
Sanyo VHS Player. £10. Tel:
• Tel: 07483 820024.
Cambridge Amplifier. £10.
• 07483 820024.
Philips CD Player. £10. Tel:
Arcam FM Tuner. £10. Tel:
• 07483 820024.
Ariston Amp. £10. Tel: 07483 • 820024.
Summit RoofBox. New unused.
• Purchaser must have their own roof bars. Collect from BoW. £30. Tel: 01505 690981.
Local lily grower requires • the use of a greenhouse/ polytunnel in Kilmacolm area in return for light gardening duties. Tel: Vince 01505 872082.
BRIDGE OF WEIR
Freeland Church 01505 612 245
Village Hall 01505 335 562
Carrick Centre 01505 612 203 / 01505 331 488
Compass Centre 01505 615 441 / 01505 612 617
Guide Centre 01505 702 758
Large box full of Lego pieces
Old records Wanted 45`s & • LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 01505 873958 or 07710 777571.
• approx 6.5kg. Very good condition. A couple of almost complete sets included. Bricks, base, wheels, accessories, etc. £50. Tel: 07715 360781.
Tasco Telescope D 60 F 700 • 302058. £10. Tel: 07483 820024.
Cash paid for Vinyl Records • and Music CDs (a few or a lot). Tel: 01505 329638 or 07765 115347.
Gramophone records (78’s) • and His Master’s Voice portable gramophones (working or not) wanted by collector. Cash waiting. Tel: 07591 121777.
Old Library Centre 01505 706 070
KILMACOLM
Cargill Centre 01505 873 994
Brownie/Guide Hut 07584 359 007
Masonic Hall 01505 873 059
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2320/ Check-your-bin-collection-day
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2159/ Roads-transport-and-parking
www.inverclyde.gov.uk/ council www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/ recycling-and-waste-services/when-aremy-bins-collected
www.inverclyde.gov.uk/environment/ roads-lighting
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:
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The Gryffe Advertizer is published by © The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd 2022
Affluent Financial . . . . . . . . . 13 CLA Accountancy . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CHG Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 4
Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 9
Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 11
The Beauty of Marble . . . . . . . 21
Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 4
Blacksmith & Metalwork
McLaughlan Metal . . . . . . . . . . 9
A&M Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 3
Bencairn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6
Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 19
I&J Building & Roofing . . . . . 7
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 15
JBC Joiners & Builders . . . . . 3
KC Roofing & Building . . . . . . 13
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14
M Addison Joiners&Builders . . 19
SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 7
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 14
Thomas McMaster & Son . . . . . . 7
Always Clean Windows . . . . . . . 15
Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 14
Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 10
KC Roofing & Building . . . . . . 13
Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Platinum Cleaning Services . . 7
A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
MAS Electrical & Security . . 26
Russell Milne Electrician . . 15
G Local Musical Theatre School . . 29
McLaughlan Metal . . . . . . . . . . 9
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Alan Beaton Funeral Services . . 5
John Roach Funeral . . . . . . . . . 27
Garolla Holdings Limited . . . 25
Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 37
Bencairn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
CHG Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 4
Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 37
I&J Building & Roofing . . . . . 7
J Andrews Garden Maintenance . . 36
Lady Grafters Garden . . . . . . . 36
R Williams Tree Services . . . 36
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 36
C Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Gasfit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 9
Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 15
Wright Gas - Scotland Ltd . . 3
1on1 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 25
Erskine Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Health Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Thrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 37
A&M Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CHG Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 4
Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 11
Kieran Turner Aerial . . . . . . . 7
Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Renfrewshire Handyman . . . . . . 21
The Beauty of Marble . . . . . . . 21
Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 4
Clearline TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 15
JBC Joiners & Builders . . . . . 3 M Addison Joiners&Builders . . 19 McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 7
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 14
Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 9 Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 4
Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 11 JBC Joiners & Builders . . . . . 3
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 14 The Beauty of Marble . . . . . . . 21 Leisure & Recreation
G Local Musical Theatre School . . 29 The Health Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Eckory Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 16 Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Andrew Hay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
James Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 17
Bryan Slaven Slater&Plaster . . 10
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 15
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14
C Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Gasfit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 9
The Health Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Cochran Dickie . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Kingsley Wood & Co . . . . . . . . . 6
At@ease Removals . . . . . . . . . . 21
Andersons Jewellery . . . . . . . . 21
Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
A&M Sandstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6
Bryan Slaven Slater&Plaster . . 10
Clippens Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 19
Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 10
I&J Building & Roofing . . . . . 7
KC Roofing & Building . . . . . . 13
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 14
SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 7
Thomas McMaster & Son . . . . . . 7
Kingsley Wood & Co . . . . . . . . . 6
ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Gordon James Ceramic . . . . . . . 9
We are the longest running local magazine in the area, established in 1995 with over 25 years of experience.
We are a small, family-run business based in Bridge of Weir, and deliver 10,350 copies to homes & businesses across Renfrewshire every month!
Our publication is full of the latest news and events, and a comprehensive list of local trades and businesses, making us the go-to source for information.
Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 37
Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 37
R Williams Tree Services . . . 36
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Clearline TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Kieran Turner Aerial . . . . . . . 7
Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 14
Always Clean Windows . . . . . . . 15
Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 10
Matthews Cleaning Services . . 13
1on1 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
