Lochwinnoch Arts Festival & Scotland on Tour

Christine Bovill

Tonight you Belong to Me

Saturday 18th February

McKillop Hall (Bar)

Doors: 7pm, Show: 7.30pm written and performed by Alan

Friday 17th March

Bissett

Doors: 7pm – Show: 7.30pm

Lochwinnoch McKillop Hall

The self- proclaimed hardest woman in Falkirk returns to the Stage in Lochwinnoch. Tickets £12, available at: The Wee Shop or online at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/-489857887127

Craft Fair

Art Work, Candles & Melts, Jewellery, Stained Glass, Sewing & Knitting and More!

Enjoy a cuppa in the tea room!

Saturday 18th March

12noon – 3pm

Free McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch

Saturday 18th March

Doors: 7pm, Show: 7.30pm

Lochwinnoch McKillop Institute

We are delighted to welcome back

Seonaid Aitken, who was voted top jazz vocalist in 2017 and 2018. The ensemble with perform songs from the 2019 album “What Is This Thing Called Love?” and lots of other favourites. Tickets £14 / £12 from The Wee Shop or online at: Seonaid Aitken Ensemble www.scotlandontour.com

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 from Now and Then Gifts or online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/ e/469007944387

Sunday 19th March

Doors: 7pm, show: 7.30pm

Lochwinnoch Golf Club

Jamie MacDonald is a award winning blind Scottish comedian, writer and voice over artist. Most recently he has appeared on BBC1’s “Have I Got New For You” and BBC2’s “QI”. He won the “Best Presenter” award for his BBC2 documentary “Blind Ambition” at the 2022 Grierson awards. Tickets: £12 from The Wee Shop or online at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ jamie-macdonald-comedy-tickets-489958467967

The Bridge, Main Street

Mon to Sat 10am - 1pm and Mon 2pm - 5pm

Your Support – thanks to all our lovely customers for using our post office and shop over the Christmas season.

Café – our café is open for reasonably priced drinks and biscuits. Switch your heating off for a while and stay warm in The Bridge instead!

Post Office - with our banks either closed or opening on a part-time basis please remember you can make cash withdrawals and pay cheques into your bank account through our post office counter. Donald, Fiona and Alison will be happy to assist with your banking needs and all other postal services.

Alison – We are sorry that Alison will be leaving the Post Office counter where she has been a real asset for The Bridge. We are currently trying to find a replacement for Alison and if you think that this parttime paid employment might interest you please get in touch.

Films – a variety of films continue to be shown throughout the winter – 7pm 1st Friday and 3rd Thursday of the month. The Hours will be shown on Fri 3rd Feb and Belle Epoque on Thurs 16th. Free entry – give a donation if you can.

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

Hearing Aid Batteries - on production of your yellow Hearing Instrument and Battery Record Book and the signing of the battery receipt sheet, the volunteer on duty will issue you with one battery card for each hearing aid. On the last Friday of the month there will be a clinic at The Bridge from 11am – 12.45pm for minor servicing of hearing aids.

Finally, a big thank you to our dedicated team of volunteers.

Job Vacancy @ The Bridge

We are looking for someone to work at the Post Office counter in Bridge of Weir. This is parttime paid employment in a pleasant working environment. The appointed person will be fully trained and paid during training.

To apply please leave your CV at the Post Office counter. If you would like to know any further details, please ask at the Post Office counter or call Paul Birch on 01505 613506.

Next

Ward 11

Cllr James Maclaren

Happy New Year! As I write this article, I am reminded of how bad the roads can get at this time of year with the cold and wet weather causing nasty deep potholes which seem to take an age for the council to get filled, which is no doubt partly down to the holiday period. If you see a pothole then please get it reported rather than relying on someone else doing this. Today I received an angry email asking me what I was going to do about two major potholes on the A761 which had caused 27 cars to have damaged wheels and suspension. This was the first time anyone had contacted me about it, though I had reported it myself on the 30th December. Unsurprisingly one of the potholes was in the stream of water coming out of a gully there which I had reported back in October.

Keeping in touch with what’s happening locally is a vital part of being a councillor. That’s why, as well as taking part in council debates and dealing with the individual issues brought to me by local people, I try and support as many local events as possible throughout the year. I hope that my reports on Facebook and community councils give you an insight into some of the activities that I have been involved with over the period. Your views matter to me, so if there is anything I can assist with or any issue you would like to raise with me, please do not hesitate to get in touch. My contact details are below.

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.

Contact info: 0300 300 1291 cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk www.facebook.com/councillormaclaren

Senior Citizens’ Association

Bridge of Weir Senior Citizens’ Association extend a warm welcome to everyone to their meetings in the Cargill Hall at 2pm on Wednesday 8th FebruaryAlan Docherty and Wednesday 22nd February - The Midges.

Bridge of Weir SWI

Our meeting on Thursday 2nd February will be a talk on aspects of forensics by Dr Callum McHugh. We meet at 7.30pm at the Cargill Hall and both members and visitors will be welcomed.

Councillor Details

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

WARD 10:

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

WARD 11: 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

WARD 1: 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

Brookfield Village Hall

Karate:

Adults and children welcome (7+ yrs) Gradings held on an ongoing basis.

07850 407442

Johnstone Tora-Kai Karate

Monday 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Zumba®:

A total workout, combining elements of fitness: cardio, muscle conditioning,balance and flexibility. gems_paisley@hotmail.com

Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Ballroom/Latin:

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)

Yogabellies:

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

FITNESS Bootcamp

Classes include Circuits, HIIT Training, Meta fit, Boxercise - and more! £5 per class.

Tuesdays 7.45pm - 8.45pm baileyfitness101@gmail.com

Ward 10

Cllr Audrey Doig

I wish all my constituents the very best for 2023 and let us hope that it will see a final successful end to the war in Ukraine and a solution to the cost of living crisis. At the last Full Council meeting in December I spoke on a motion which called on all the national energy companies to use some of their substantial profits to re-open shop front energy hubs. This would allow constituents with energy difficulties to actually talk face to face with someone to solve problems they might have either with their accounts or their energy supply. It is particularly true that consumers with pay as you go meters are especially vulnerable and the status quo of energy giants hiding behind call centres is simply not good enough.

I am pleased to report that Renfrewshire Council last year appointed SWECO as the consultant for the new Safe Rural Walking Initiative which will look at ways to stop speeding in Houston. Online surveys and consultations have taken place with Houston residents and Houston Community Council over recent months. The final proposals are being discussed locally at present and I look forward to receiving the views of the Houston CC on the matter as curbing speeding is a serious problem. February will see the annual Renfrewshire Council budget agreed for 2022/23. The Scottish Government has been clear that local government will get significantly less than we have been used to in recent years, and even that, since the advent of austerity economics from Westminster beginning in 2010, was less then Councils received in the nineties and noughties in more secure times. Most Councillors, regardless of party affiliation, entered local government to improve their local communities not to make cuts, but I fear that the new budget will bring hard messages for my constituents.

Contact info: 07768 130 935 cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

fancy learning to dance?

Ballroom Basics is now delighted to offer a new complete beginners ballroom & latin dance class on Sunday mornings in the Village Hall from 11.30am - 12.30pm. Contact Stewart: 07710 464969 or email: ballroombasics@live.co.uk

Councillor Surgeries

Cllr Audrey Doig: Thursday 9th @ 6.30pm - 7pm

Cllr Robert Innes: Tuesday 21st @ 6pm - 6.30pm

brookfield art club - spaces available

The club meets in the Village Hall on Thursday afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and is currently looking for new members. Come and join us and develop new skills in drawing and painting in a relaxed and friendly environment. All abilities welcome including beginners. Please call 01505 324169 for further details or to book a place.

Brookfield Swi

February meetings will take place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 7th and 21st from 10am to 12noon. New members/visitors are most welcome. Email: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com for further details.

Defibrillator Sites

B ISHOPTON

• The Cornerstone, Greenock Rd

• Bishopton Community Centre

B ROOKFIELD

• Brookfield Village Hall

B RIDGE OF W EIR

• Co-Op

• Old Ranfurly Golf Club

• Ranfurly Castle Golf Club

• Gate Hs, BoW Leather Works

E LDERSLIE

• Elderslie Golf Club

H OUSTON

• 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

J OHNSTONE

• Keystore, Spateston

• Keystore, Corseford

• Johnstone Town Hall

• Scottish Fire & Rescue

K IL m ACOL m

• Kilmacolm Golf Club

• St Columba’s Senior School

• Gym, Birkmyre Park

• Library (rear of New Surgery)

K ILBARCHAN

• Scout Hall

• Kilbarchan Bowling Club

L ANGBANK

• Langbank Village Hall

• Doctors surgery, Station Rd (carpark wall)

L INWOOD

• Onyx Leisure Centre

• Spar, Clippens Rd

• Asda

L OCHWINNOCH

• Outside GP Practice, Main St PAISLEY

• Russell Institute

Q UARRIERS

• William Quarriers House (entrance to Faith Ave)

• Country View brookfieldvillage.org brookfieldvpa@gmail.com @BrookfieldVPA

H.O.S.T

The Carrick Centre, Houston

Coffee Shop Takeaways only

Check FB Café at the Carrick

Monday - Saturday: 9am - 4.30pm

Shop/Centre 01505 229597

Gryffe Manor Out of School: (Monday - Friday) 01505 615438

Dance West Scotland: enquiries@dancewestscotland.co.uk

MONDAY

DWS 5pm

Diaporama 13th @ 7.30pm

Handiwives 20th @ 7.30pm

Houston Show AGM 6th @ 7.30pm

TUESDAY

Yoga (Laura Jane) 7pm

Hazel Connelly Art Class (not 7th) 1.15pm

DWS 4pm

WEDNESDAY

DWS 11am & 3.30pm

MOO MUSIC 9.45am

Gryffe Camera Club 7.30pm

Cllr Audrey Doig 15th @ 7pm

Community Council 15th @ 7.30pm

THURSDAY

Gryffe Quilting Group 23rd @ 1pm 2nd & 16th @ 10am

Folk Club 8pm

DWS 4pm & 5.30pm

Move It Or Lose It 10.30am

FRIDAY

Yoga (Laura Jane) 10.30am

DWS 3.30pm

Gavin Newlands MP 10th @ 12.30pm

Cllr Alison Dowling 17th @ 11.15am

Mr Mrs McGhee 9am

SATURDAY

DWS 9.30am

Cllr Robert Innes 18th @ 11am

SUNDAY

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

Celebrating Houston

In November 2022, Houston and Killellan Kirk were delighted to present “Celebrating the Tales and Legends of Houston Past Present and Future”, hosted by Gryffe High School. The event opened with photo sequences and interviews about Houston Past and Present. The interviews were conducted by pupils of Gryffe High School, and local residents shared their memories of Houston, their favourite place and the best thing about living in Houston.

We then watched two beautiful soundscapes, one for the Houston and Killellan Kirk Men’s Shed, and one for the Bee Happy Gardening Group, capturing the sounds and spirit of these wonderful community groups.

It was, however, the children of Houston and St Fillan’s Primary Schools, a group of whom had worked with singer/songwriter Yvonne Lyons, who stole the show. They performed three songs - “The Magical Place”, about Hugo de Padunian, a Knights Templar whom Houston is named after;

“Granny D”, a tribute to Houston legend, Marion Dawson, the oldest person in Scotland at 109 years old, and finally “Hope for Houston”, an imaginative journey of what the children hope Houston will be like in the future - where “the very coolest thing of all, there was no homework for us at all!!”

Guests then enjoyed home-baking by pupils and staff from the Health, Food and Technology department at Gryffe High School and browsed artwork by nursery school children, primary and high school pupils. This event was supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund, delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Marie Christie, Head of Development at VisitScotland said: “We are delighted to be supporting “A Celebration of Houston Legends and Tales from Past Present and Future” through the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund. Events play an important role in our communities as they sustain livelihoods and help to celebrate and promote our unique places, spaces and stories.”

Houston & Crosslee SWI

On February 8th we are having our annual meal out. On March 8th we welcome Christine Kyle who will demonstrate “Basic Flower Arranging”. 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 details please call 07932 459994.

Dementia Friendly Lochwinnoch

The 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 please contact 07868 752814.

Friday 10th Feb 2pm - 4pm

Film show Calder U.F. Church Hall

Friday 21st April

Coach trip to Cardwell Bay Garden Centre for afternoon tea (TBC)

Houston & Killellan Kirk

It is always wonderful to know that the generosity of the folk in the Kirk and our wider Houston community really does make a difference, so it was lovely to hear from Elaine Waugh at CrossReach after she collected a van load of Christmas gifts for the children of prisoners. She wrote to Revd Gary saying: “Our heartfelt thanks for your totally amazing donation of over 200 gifts. Our families know that each one of you shine a light in their darkness. On a personal level, our team would come to your Church just for the warmth and friendship you show us.”

Our ever popular Kirk Postie operation was especially busy in December, delivering more than 3,000 cards and raising £983, which was topped up by an anonymous donor to £1,000, for St Vincent’s Hospice.

We were also fortunate to host a Tearfund Christmas Concert on 8th December, attended by over 100 people who enjoyed a wonderful evening of fabulous music. The event raised just over £1,000 for Tearfund.

The traditional Services in the Kirk were well supported, from Lessons & Carols to the ever entertaining Nativity and our Christingle Service, where the children created 47 Christingles to light up the world. We enjoyed mulled wine, mince pies and community singing before the Watchnight Service and Revd Gary got to see the toys our children had received at the Christmas Day Service. The hardier souls made it along to the New Year’s Day Service too.

As we go forward into 2023 there was a real sense of energy and activity in the Kirk, starting with our Luxury Pop-Up Breakfast on 28th January, to raise funds for projects in Mwandi.

Regular events include the Foodbank Collection and Wee Blether every Tuesday, the Men’s Shed every Wednesday, “Houston Hello” on alternate Thursdays, other events organised by Frankie, our Families and Community Development worker, and Sunday Club, for children, at 11am in the Kirk each week. That’s just for starters!

COMING EVENTS in February 2023

Tuesday 7th - Foodbank at West Halls 10am - 12 noon & 7pm - 8 pm

(Every Tuesday in February)

Thursday 9th & 23rd - “Houston Hello” in Killellan Halls 2pm - 4 pm

The old library centre kilbarchan

opening Times:

Monday – Friday: 10am to 12noon & 2pm to 4pm

Monday

Spanish Conversation 2pm3.45pm (University of the 3rd Age)

Tuesday

Craft Group 2pm - 4pm (every 2nd Tuesday)

Book Group 7.15pm - 8.30pm (once a month - next meeting 14th Feb)

Wednesday

Yoga with Elizabeth 10am - 11.30am & 7.30pm - 9pm (waiting list for both classes)

Thursday

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.

Please phone or email for further information.

We are delighted to be part of the Winter Connections and as such we will be holding free Film Shows and Musical/ Sing along afternoons twice a month on a Wednesday from 2pm - 4pm. Dates are 1st February, 15th February, 1st March, 15th March, 29th March, 12th April, 26th April. Free refreshments. Doors open at 1.30pm. Everyone welcome (We are a dementia friendly organisation)