334 March 2023 - Gryffe Advertizer

Next Deadline

#335 april 2023: Wednesday 15th march

Upcoming deadlines:

#336 may 2023: 12th april

#337 june 2023: 17th may

Contact us:

01505 613 340 info@advertizer.co.uk www.advertizer.co.uk

GryffeAds

GryffeAds

GryffeAdvertizer

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This Month

Spring forward!

We have reached the point of the year where our clocks go forward one hour again. This year it will be Sunday 26th March.

March’s Cover Image

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Kilmacolm Golf Club

There’s also Mothers’ Day to keep an eye out for on the 19th March. Lots of local businesses have lovely gifts in stock for this occasion.

The shortlist for #YouDecide Renfrewshire has been announced and a total of 50 projects will go ahead. Read more on this on pages 4 and 5. Lochwinnoch Arts Festival and Scotland on Tour have some more brilliant events lined up. You can find more information in our events section.

Residents are being invited to share their views on shaping the future of Castle Semple in Lochwinnoch. You can share your views online between Thursday 23rd February until 23rd March at www.ironsidefarrar.com/castlesemple.html (page 19).

Birkmyre Park in Kilmacolm will be getting improvements worth £65,000. Details on page 26.

If you’re looking to try new sports this year Howwood Curling Club and Castle Semple Sailing Club both have ‘Come and Try’ events and are always happy to have more members (page 32).

Our deadline for the May issue is Wednesday12th April so please make sure to send in your submissions by then!

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New skateparks, dog exercise area AS #youdecide

Empowered communities in Renfrewshire have chosen the winning projects they think will make the biggest difference to their local area – after they had put forward the ideas.

As part of its community empowerment campaign #YouDecide, Renfrewshire Council made £1.2million available for infrastructure projects and every idea on the shortlist was put forward by a local resident.

A total of £75,000 was available for each of the 16 areas, with a maximum of £50,000 per idea, and the projects with most votes in each area have been funded until all the money is allocated – with some projects topped up with council funding to ensure as many local ideas as possible could be brought to life.

A total of 50 projects have been successful and include new skateparks at Moss Road Park, Bridge of Weir and Kintyre Park, Linwood, an enclosed dog exercise area at East End Park in Paisley, and kickabout football goals in Spateston Park.

In addition, there will be contributions towards brand-new play equipment for play parks at Station Park, Langbank; Glebe Street, Renfrew; and South Candren Village Green and Jennyswell in Paisley. Also on the way is feature lighting for the Wallace Monument in Elderslie and an upgrade to the Clyde Walkway path in Erskine with additional seating created at the waterfront.

Local Houston resident Sam Love has been fundraising for a new play park in the village and the new Helicopter Park took a step forward with funding to repair steps and ensure accessible access chosen by the community through the vote.

Sam said: “The funding will help create something that’s going to be there for years to come and will be hugely advantageous for children, and for parents and grandparents too who need that outlet. We know all about the benefits of outdoor play and this is going to be perfect for the village.

and football goals on the way winners announced

“#YouDecide is fantastic. Take it away from our success and you look how many people attended the event and they all represent a community project that #YouDecide has helped which is amazing.

“We’re living in a time which is pretty gloomy and here’s a project that is there to be proactive, to make people’s lives better in Renfrewshire, and it’s done it.

“There are people walking out this building with massive smiles on their faces. I turned to my wife when our idea was successful and she had a tear in her eye, it’s perfect.”

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, attended the small event at the University of the West of Scotland to celebrate the winning projects and is delighted at the success of the first iteration of this campaign.

She said: “#YouDecide has been a fantastic way of engaging with our local communities and ensuring that we extract the local knowledge from residents of what needed an upgrade where they live.

“Some were passionate about roads improvements, and some wanted upgrades to their local green spaces, but every successful project will make a noticeable difference to our neighbourhoods.

“Over the course of the campaign, the team met hundreds of local people, carried out more than 50 roadshows in local communities, visited countless community groups and used all our communications channels to reach as many people as possible – and this will be the benchmark we strive towards when #YouDecide returns again in the future.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all fifty projects come to fruition and I’m determined to build on this success of the engagement we carried out.”

For more information on the campaign, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/youdecide.

100 Years Young!

Marjorie Goudie celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday 30th January in Morar Care Home, Bridge of Weir. She had a wonderful afternoon with friends and her Telegram from King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla was read by Dr Iain Findlay, the Deputy Lieutenant. Thank you to all who helped Marjorie celebrate her birthday in style!

Success for Greenock Bid

The ambitious bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to transform the heart of Greenock Town Centre is set to receive £20m as part of a £22m project. It is one of 10 projects receiving funding across Scotland.

The Greenock project would create new civic spaces, a restructured more outward looking town centre retail offer, improve links between various parts of the town centre and the waterfront and build in capacity for a potential new education/college facility or town centre housing.

The Levelling Up Fund project would remove the A78 flyover bringing the road to ground level to increase access, remove the bullring roundabout, and 40 per cent of the existing indoor retail space in the Oak Mall, including Hector McNeil House. This would be replaced by a low level road which does not split the town centre in two with easier access to the town centre for visitors and residents.

It would allow the Oak Mall to be restructured as an outward looking retail and leisure quarter recreating a functional heart to the centre. The plans could create space for a new learning quarter and campus anchored on a new college facility and the existing Greenock library alongside opportunities for new town centre homes.

Inverclyde Council’s Environment and Regeneration Convener, Councillor Michael McCormick, said: “This is excellent news for Greenock and Inverclyde. A stronger vibrant town centre will help to boost the retail offer.

“The Levelling Up fund will bring about real transformation of the town centre in Greenock.

“The proposals ensure the sustainability of the town centre, open up and create better links in the town centre and improve access for visitors and residents.”

Paul McGreevy of McGreevy Property Consultants Limited: “We have been working with Inverclyde Council on this project since the acquisition of the centre and want to congratulate them on winning this bid.

“We look forward to working with the Council in completely transforming the centre of Greenock – we firmly believe this will be a transformational redevelopment presenting Inverclyde and Greenock in its best light.

“Huge credit must go to the to the council officials for driving this initiative –securing the owners support and ultimately winning the bid.”

People across Renfrewshire joined the UK’s biggest conversation on mental health stigma for Time to Talk Day

Workplaces, schools and community groups across Renfrewshire joined the UK’s biggest conversation on mental health stigma on Thursday 2nd February as part of Time to Talk Day.

Time to Talk Day is a day where friends, families, communities, and workplaces can come together to talk, listen and change lives. The campaign helps break down barriers and reduce the stigma which prevents so many from asking for help when they need it.

Despite increased awareness of mental health in Scotland, research released to mark this year’s Time to Talk Day showed that the campaign is still needed. A poll of over 1000 Scots showed that three in five think the cost of living crisis has had an impact on their mental health, but a third admitted that they never make space in their day to talk about mental health.

When asked what makes it difficult to talk about mental health, respondents to the survey said not wanting to ‘bother people’ as there are ‘bigger issues’, worrying about being judged and not knowing how to bring it up were all reasons people find it difficult to start a conversation. See Me, the national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, in partnership with Co-op, led the campaign in Scotland.

After two years of online activity, this year’s Time to Talk Day saw a range of activities and events take place across Renfrewshire, with workplaces, schools, community groups, sports clubs, friends and family joining in to get as many people as possible talking about mental health.

Employers seized the opportunity to tackle mental health stigma among staff, providing opportunities to talk about mental health and learn more about how stigma can affect people at work. Clark Contracts in Paisley hosted a tea and talk session for colleagues to get the conversation started in a less formal environment.

Gordon Cunningham, managing director of Clark Contracts, said: “It was great to see our employees come together to engage in conversations about mental health and help break down the stigma associated with this.

“We recognise the importance of providing our employees with continuous support and training to fully understand mental health in the workplace.”

See Me volunteer spokesperson Zoe Mason says that campaigns like Time to Talk Day have an important role to play for people across Scotland.

She said: “Time to Talk Day is hugely important. Talking openly about our mental health is vital, and potentially life saving – we all have mental health, and we could all struggle with mental health at some point in our lives.

“We’ve come a long way in normalising the conversation around mental health, but a lot of stigma still exists for people struggling with their mental health, particularly for people with enduring mental health conditions. “Making mental health part of our everyday conversation is a step towards reducing and getting rid of the stigma and discrimination that still exists around mental health.”

See Me director Wendy Halliday said: “I have been so impressed all the support we had for this year’s Time to Talk Day across Renfrewshire.

“It’s also crucial to understand stigma plays a role in opening up about how you’re feeling. We want everyone to feel comfortable talking about mental health in a way that suits them.”

Find out how you can continue to tackle mental health stigma beyond Time to Talk Day at: seemescotland.org/SeeUs

See Me staff & volunteers at the official Time to Talk Day event

Christmas fundraising Total!

St Vincent’s Hospice are delighted to announce that their Light up a Life and Christmas appeal has raised an amazing £23,800. The hospice received lots of generous donations from the local community through the Christmas period and on into January.

The fundraising campaigns were greatly supported by the local King family, who shared the emotional story of their wife, mum and sister Fran, who was cared for by the hospice.

Individual Giving Manager, Hayley Simpson said “Everyone at St Vincent’s is extremely grateful to Andy and the King family for sharing Fran’s story. We would not have been able to raise such a fantastic amount without their support. Fran was such an incredible and inspirational lady and we are honoured to have been able to share her story with our supporters and the local community. We would like to say a huge thank you to the King’s.”

The vital funds that have been raised will go towards helping as many patients and families as possible across Renfrewshire and adjoining North Ayrshire.

St Vincent’s Hospice send a huge thank you to everyone who supported the fundraising over the Christmas period. Everyone at the hospice really appreciates the generosity of the local community. Photo of Cameron, Andy, Fran and Diane – photo taken at St Vincent’s Hospice

Upcoming Events:

Red Hot Firewalk!

Friday 3rd March

At Cochrane Castle Golf Club Scott Avenue, Johnstone PA5 0HF (£15 Registration)

You will receive an information and safety briefing before you brave the embers.

*Please note that participants must be 16 years or older.

An audience with Frank McAvennie & Gordon Smith

Friday 17th March

At The Glynhill Hotel & Spa, Renfrew

Ladies Fun & Fizz Afternoon

Sunday 16th April

At The Lynnhurst Hotel, Johnstone

Hosted by Edward Reid

Strictly Come Prancing

Friday 26th May

At the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew

Buy your tickets online at stvincentshospice. org/st-vincents-events or call 07904 667189 or email lesley.campbell@svh.co.uk

Paisley Colour Photographic Club RICC Entry

Paisley Colour Photographic Club were delighted to gain first place in the hotly contested Renfrewshire Inter Club Competition on Thursday 16th February.

The hosts for this year were rivals and previous serial winners, Eastwood Photographic Society which came second this time round. The judge for the evening was the far travelled Andy Hayes from Fetercairn.

The other participating clubs were Paisley Photographic Society, Gryffe Camera Club and Greenock Camera Club. Each club submitted 12 images to be scored out of a maximum of 20 points. Shown here are three of PCPC’s imges which achieved the maximum score .... that was praise indeed.

Spring Forward!

Clocks go forward 1hr Sunday 26 th March at 1am

Looking Up by Guy Phillips Orange Tip Male by Jim Black

Kitesurfing is Fun by Iain Gardener

Local History

Johnstone History Society

Our next meeting is on the Tuesday 14th March, as usual it will be held in the Masonic Hall Collier Street at 7.30pm. This month we will be having our AGM which will be followed by a talk on the “The Building of the Forth Road Bridge“ by one of our members, Bob Duncanson. This should be a very interesting talk, so please come and join us and enjoy the AGM followed by this our speaker .

The Museum continues to open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am till 4pm. We stock a wide range of books and pamphlets about Johnstone and the surrounding area also a variety of other books. These can also be purchased online at johnstonehistory.org and paid via PayPal. In the Museum we now have a card machine which makes payment very easy. In January we had a very successful Fish Supper night for members and friends, this is a very popular night in our calendar and this year after fish suppers were enjoyed we had a quiz compiled by Willie Bishop one of our members. The evening was rounded of with a raffle which helps raise money for the running of the Museum .

coming events in March

Farmers Markets

this month

Saturday 4th

Kilmacolm

Kilmacolm Community Centre 10am to 2pm

1st Saturday of the month

/kilmacolmfarmersmarket

sUNDAY 12th

Renfrew

Robertson Park 10am to 4pm

2nd Sunday of the month /RenfrewMarket

Saturday 11th & 25TH

Paisley

The Paisley Centre 10am to 2pm

/pages/Paisley-FarmersMarket/207097172654332

Saturday 19th

Bishopton

Dargavel

&

Bishopton Train Station Car Park

10am to 2pm

3rd Saturday of the month

/The-Bishopton-DargavelFarmers-Market109902924512969

Saturday 25th

Gourock

Gourock Train Station Car Park

10am to 2pm

Last Saturday of the month

/The-Gourock-FarmersMarket-112064558070104

SUNDAY 26th

Erskine

Erskine Waterfront 10am to 4pm

Last Sunday of the month

/Erskine-Riverside-Market101613198665127

We DN e SDAY 1 ST

Howwood Curling Club Come & Try Session

Bowfield Road, Howwood, PA9 1DE 7.30pm

All equipment provided. Please contact Lachie Carmichael at: lachiedcarmichael@hotmail.com or call: 01294 823643, 07854 328938 if you wish to attend. £10.

WeDNeSDAY 1ST - FriDAY 31ST

Spring Super Spotter

Scavenger Hunt

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch

9.30am to 4pm

Are you a super wildlife spotter? Do you have the skills to find the hidden items along our trail and spot the actual wildlife as well? Pop into the visitor centre to collect your goodie bag and take part in this fun challenge for kids of all ages! £3 per pack.

T HU r SDAY 2 ND

New Members Coffee Morning

Castle Semple Sailing Club, Lochwinnoch 12noon

Everyone welcome. You’ll find us by walking past Clyde Muirshiel Visitor Centre at Lochwinnoch and their compound. We are the next compound you reach.

Outlook Team: Caol Mor Trio

Ceilidh Band

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 3.30pm

Come along for some favourite toe-tapping Scottish tunes, with a delicious afternoon tea provided by the volunteer team. Meetings traditionally enjoy a guest speaker, or videos, quiz, tombola, easy keep fit. Meetings on 1st and 3rd Thursdays monthly.

Book Launch - Far Field by Jim Carruth

Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 7pm

All welcome – a free event with teas, coffees and cake after the reading.

T HU r SDAY 2 ND

Paisley Natural History Society Illustrated Talks

The Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley 7.30pm

RSPB has managed the nature reserve at Lochwinnoch for nearly 50 years. Current reserve warden Dan Snowdon will give a talk on the reserve’s history, recent management and aspirations for the future.

Fri DAY 3 r D

World Day of Prayer

Houston & Killellan Kirk, 13A Kirk Road, Houston 7pm Refreshments served afterwards.

St. Vincent’s Hospice

Firewalk

Cochrane Castle Golf Club, Scott Avenue, Johnstone 5.45pm

You will amaze yourself at what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. So why not have a go at the ultimate mind over matter challenge? You will receive an information and safety briefing before you brave the embers. *Please note that participants must be 16 years or older. £15 registration.

S UNDAY 5 TH

Easter Craft and Gift Fayre

Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 1pm to 4pm 20+ stalls filled with gorgeous gifts and crafts for presents for your loved ones or simply yourself. Favourites include Nicole McCarron’s Silver Jewellery, Threepwood Fayre, All Things Nice and Kilbarchan Soaps to name a few. Come along to browse our stalls can’t wait to see you there. Entry £3: Choice of tea or coffee.

T U e SDAY 7 TH

Houston & Killellan

Kirk Foodbank

West Halls, Main Street, Houston

10am - 12noon & 7pm - 8pm

Donations welcome every Tuesday in March.

We DN e SDAY 8 TH

Warm Spaces

The Three Churches, 5 Church St, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AD 2pm to 4pm

Afternoon tea and entertainment. The Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly group aims to 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.

T HU r SDAY 9 TH Sòlas bereavement drop-in group

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 information, please call Barbara Marshall on 01505 872417 or email: barbara@oochy.com

Houston & Killellan Kirk “Houston Hello”

Killellan Halls, 13A Kirk Road, Houston 2pm to 4pm

Also running on the 23rd - Dropin group for people living with dementia and carers. Contact Frankie Greenwood 07817 210777 or email: familyandcommunity. houstonkirk@gmail.com

S ATU r DAY 11 TH

Houston & Killellan Kirk Concert

Houston & Killellan Kirk, 13A Kirk Road, Houston 7.30pm St James’ Handbell Ringers and Maria Wilson with Starlight Music Theatre. Refreshments will be served during the interval. Tickets £8 (£4 for 16 and under) - available in Church or on the door. Proceeds for projects in Mwandi

The Kilbarchan Singers

Pancake and Coffee Morning

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple St 10am to 12noon

The Kilbarchan Singers are looking forward to welcoming you to their pancake and coffee morning.

Rehearsals are underway for Kilmacolm Dramatic Society’s production of “The Steamie”, one of Scotland’s best loved plays. Set in a Glaswegian public wash house colloquially known as “The Steamie”, this skilful comedy drama follows a group of women doing their laundry during Hogmanay, delightfully capturing a slice of Glasgow life during the 1950’s.

Written by Tony Roper and directed by John Gilchrist, performances are in the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm on 20th, 21st and 22nd April. You can book your tickets by going online to either the KDS website or to Ticketsource from March.

If you would like any further information, or would like to be involved with the society in any way, either on stage, back stage or behind the scenes, do contact our secretary Mandy Robinson on 07719 309960. We are always welcoming new talent and giving members the opportunity to learn new skills or use their existing abilities in a creative environment.

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival & Scotland on Tour

Friday 17 th March

Alan Bissett’s Moira in Lockdown (Falkirk’s hardest woman!) Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Lochwinnoch McKillop Hall.

Raging Twilight 8pm at The Three Churches. Raging Twilight are a 5 piece band who formed 6 years ago.

Saturday 18 th March

An audience with Alan Bissett and Kirstin Innes 1pm - McKilllop Hall, Lochwinnoch. Alan, an award winning novelist, playwrite and performer from Falkirk, who now lives in Lochwinnoch. Kirstin is the author of the novels Scabby Queen and Fishnet and the non fiction book Brickwork.

Craft Fair Free Entry - McKillop Hall from 12noon - 3pm. Art Work, candles & melts, jewellery, stained glass, sewing & knitting and more!

Factory Street Saxophone Quartet 8pm at The Corner Bar. Boasting 3 members from Lochwinnoch and 1 from Paisley who are all looking forward to their first performance of 2023!

Seonaid Aitken Ensemble Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm. Tickets £12/£14. Lochwinnoch McKillop Institute. If you like Jazz music, then this is the gig for you!

Sunday 19 th March

Jamie MacDonald Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Lochwinnoch Golf Club. Jamie is an award winning blind Scottish comedian, writer and voice over artist.

Friday 31 st March

Ali Affleck Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Lochwinnoch Golf Club. The authentic Scottish voice of American popular music, old time jazz and rootsy blues, Ali Affleck is in the vanguard of classy musicians and singers bringing old school jazz to new ears. Tickets available for all the above events available at either: Now and Then Gifts, The Wee Shop or online at: www.scotlandontour.com

Advertising Feature

Spring time turns our attention to pressure washing and softwashing ready for the Summer ahead. With over 20 years experience of exterior cleaning systems, we are your local qualified and experienced cleaning company with the state of the art equipment, knowledge and experience to achieve the best results. Whether it is softwashing moss on roofs, algae from render, pressure washing decking, patios, monoblock drives or anything in between, please give us a call for free, friendly information on our services or for a free quotation. 01505 863 863 www.nutechcleaning.co.uk

Please note: Please check with venue/organiser. Event details may have changed by publication.

S ATU r DAY 11 TH

Paisley Highlanders

Monthly Ceilidh

Elderslie Village Hall

7pm to 11pm

Take part in all your favourite dances ... Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow, St. Bernard’s Waltz and many more. Call 07710 162087 for further details. £5.

SATUrDAY 11TH - SUNDAY 12th

Little Luxuries Pop Up Shop

The Corner House, Elmbank Road Langbank Port Glasgow PA14 6YT 10am to 6pm

Showcasing a unique range of homeware, decorations and gifts. Please pop along for a browse! For more information contact e: stephlittle1973@gmail. com facebook: @littleluxuriesscot instagram: little_lux_scotland

We DN e SDAY 15 TH

Howwood Parish Church

Coffee Morning

Howwood Parish Church Hall, Main Street, Howwood 10am

The more the merrier, come along for the chat and good company.

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society March Lecture

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road 7pm

Featuring the “Gardens and Plants of New Zealand”, with our good friend David Menzies. Spring Bulb competition judged following the talk, so bring along your exhibitsdaffs, tulips, hyacinths, primulas etc, and pick up the coveted trophy. www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com

Film showing of

Carousel

Kilbarchan Old Library, 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan

Award winning score by Rodgers & Hammerstein. Free refreshments and entry. For further information - 01505 706070 email: kipcokil@ hotmail.com

T HU r SDAY 16 TH

Outlook Team: Andre Rieu in Maastricht Concert

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 3.30pm

We “join” legendary conductor and violinist Andre Rieu in concert. Delicious afternoon tea provided.

Fri DAY 17 TH

moira in lockdown

McKillop Hall, Main Street, Lochwinnoch Doors 7pm

Alan Bissett’s Moira in Lockdown (Falkirk’s hardest woman!) Tickets £12 available Now and Then Gifts or www.scotlandontour.com

An Audience with Frank

McAvennie & Gordon Smith

Glynhill Hotel, 169 Paisley Road, Renfrew

We have a packed sports themed evening for you and your friends to enjoy. Tickets £39.50 or £350 for a table of ten. Buy at: stvincentshospice.org/st-vincentsevents or call 07904 667189 or email lesley.campbell@svh.co.uk

raging twilight

The Three Churches, 5 Church St, Lochwinnoch 8pm

A 5 piece band who formed 6 years ago. Tickets available at Now and Then Gifts or www.scotlandontour. com

Bishopton Art Group Annual Spring e xhibition and Craft Fair

Saturday 18th March, 10am - 3pm

Bishopton Community Centre, Gledstane Road, Bishopton

Local amateur artists and crafts people will offer a variety of products for sale that would make ideal presents. Free parking and admission. Tea, Coffee and delicious cakes also available. The venue is a 5-minute walk from Bishopton Railway Station.

S ATU r DAY 18 TH

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Craft Fair

McKillop Hall, Main Street, Lochwinnoch 12noon to 3pm

Art Work, Candles & Melts, Jewellery, Stained Glass, Sewing & Knitting and more! Enjoy a cuppa in the tea room! Free entry.

An audience with alan bissett and kirstin innes

McKillop Hall, Main Street, Lochwinnoch 1pm

Tickets £12, from Now and Then Gifts or www.scotlandontour.com

S ATU r DAY 18 TH

Seonaid Aitken Ensemble

McKillop Hall, Main Street, Lochwinnoch

Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm

If you like the jazz music of Ella Fitzgerald, this gig is for you!

Tickets £14 / £12 from The Wee Shop or www.scotlandontour.com

factory street saxophone quartet

The Corner Bar, High Street, Lochwinnnoch 8pm

Boasting 3 members from Lochwinnoch and 1 from Paisley!

Tickets from Now and Then Gifts or www.scotlandontour.com

S UNDAY 19 TH

Jamie MacDonald

Lochwinnoch Golf Club

Burnfoot Rd 7pm

The award winning Scottish comedian, writer and voice over artist. Tickets £12 at The Wee Shop or www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/jamie-macdonaldcomedy-tickets-489958467967

Mothers’ Day

Sunday 19th March

Fri DAY 24 TH - S ATU r DAY 25 TH

Kilmacolm Art Class

Annual Exhibition & Sale

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Road

Friday from 10am - 5pm Saturday from 10am - 3pm. Entry & catalogue £2, children under 5 free.

S ATU r DAY 25 TH

Kilbarchan Smile’s Big Spring Clean

Kilbarchan - opposite Bog Park 2pm to 4pm

Equipment provided. A fun day out for all the family.

Houston & Killellan Kirk & houston hello Ceilidh

West Halls, Main Street

Houston 7.30pm to 11pm

Live band ‘The Elderberries’. BYOB, softdrinks&snacks.Tickets£10from Houston & Killellan Kirk or email: familyandcommunityhoustonkirk@ gmail.com

S UNDAY 26 TH

Spring Forward ~ Fall Back!

Clocks go forward today 1hr at 1am

Fri DAY 31 TH

ali afflek

Lochwinnoch Golf Club

Burnfoot Rd 7pm

The authentic Scottish voice of American popular music, old time jazz & rootsy blues. Tickets £12 from Now and Then Gifts or www.scotlandontour.com

r enfrewshire Set to host spectacular programme of major events across 2023

This year’s programme will also feature the return of The Royal National Mòd to Paisley. Scotland’s premier celebration of Gaelic culture and heritage will take place in October – exactly 10 years after the town first staged the revered event.

Mòd Phàislig 2023 is expected to bring thousands of visitors and competitors to the area for a range of competitions as well as a Mòd fringe festival of events across nine days.

Organised by Renfrewshire Council, the area’s major events calendar begins with the popular Paisley Food and Drink Festival on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd April.

The two-day event will see a tantalising offer of top street food from across Scotland, fantastic local traders, live music, workshops and more in the stunning backdrop of Paisley Abbey.

This will be followed by the annual Renfrew and Barshaw Gala Days on Sunday 4th June and Saturday 17th June.

Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day celebration is one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals and will take place on Saturday 1st July.

The holiday takes its name from a famous dispute between the local shawl weavers and manufacturers in the 19th century and is held on the first Saturday in July to mark the time of year when the weavers and their families would traditionally take their holidays.

Summer will also see the return of the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition, which takes place at Robertson Park on Saturday 22nd July.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore hidden gems and fascinating venues in the area during a full weekend of fun at Renfrewshire’s Doors Open Days on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September.

The Mòd Phàislig 2023 programme will take place at venues across Paisley from Friday 13th – Saturday 21st October.

Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the Mòd festival will feature a range of competitive disciplines, including Gaelic song, poetry, literature, drama, instrumental, Highland dancing and sport.

The Mòd fringe will have plenty of events to enjoy, including activities for children and families, at venues around the town centre alongside the main festival programme.

Widely regarded as one of the best events of its kind in the UK, Paisley Halloween Festival will return with a spine-tingling programme of thrills and frights for all the family in October.

There will be lots of family fun to bring in the festive season with Paisley’s Christmas town centre activity across December and Christmas Lights Switch-On events in Renfrew on Saturday 25th November and Johnstone on Saturday 2nd December.

For more information about upcoming events in the area, www.paisley.is

ward 11 cllr james maclaren

I recently attended the unveiling ceremony for the #You Decide successful projects held in Paisley. £1.2million was made available to be split across 16 local areas. Local people put forward their suggestions for projects. 2,800 projects were submitted, so many were unsuccessful. Here were the winners for my Ward:

In Bishopton, 1) Engage with the local community to carry out improvements to the appearance of roundabouts in the Village. 2) Install a tarmac path and seating along one side of the grass area on Ferry Road in front of West Porton Farm. 3) Install outdoor exercise equipment at Churchill Drive Park. In Bridge of Weir, 1) Install a wheeled sports area in Moss Road Park, including skateboarding, scooters and skates, for children and young people to enjoy.

In Langbank, 1) Contribution towards items of play equipment in Station Park. 2) Upgrade the path through Langbank playing fields from Station Road to the train station.

Most, if not all these projects, will be discussed and confirmed with the local community councils. If you submitted a project that was unsuccessful, or you have an idea for a project then please share it. We can look to see if it can be achieved some other way, or perhaps it could be put forward for a future #You Decide campaign. Bridge of Weir seems to be in constant gridlock these days. Currently there are emergency repairs to a gas main on Main Street. This gas main has been worked on many times along this street so perhaps it has reached its sell-by-date. Soon we will have major works to the sewer that crosses under the road at Amaretto. The A761 between bridge of Weir and Brookfield also requires further resurfacing this coming financial year. Just a pity they could not have resurfaced it first, but I was chasing for lining for more than a year. The cats eyes will need to be replaced as most seem to have come detached. White lining has been requested for the A761 towards Kilmacolm. It’s not a good time to be a motorist in Bridge of Weir.

Surgeries: 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. 6.30pm to 7pm.

Contact info: 0300 300 1291

The Bridge

cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk www.facebook.com/councillormaclaren

63 Main Street Bridge of Weir (Mon to Sat 10am - 1pm & Mon 2pm - 5pm)

Volunteering - support your local community and help ensure that we retain a PO in Bridge of Weir. We have a loyal group of volunteers who staff the Bridge, but we are always looking for more to join. Full training is given. If you can spare a few hours each month, please drop in and leave your contact details.

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!

Photocopier - The Bridge has a photocopier for the public to use at a very reasonable 10p per copy.

Hearing Aid Advice – Good news! The hearing aid “clinic” at The Bridge is re-starting on the last Friday of the month from 11am – 12.45pm for minor servicing of hearing aids. You can also collect new batteries at any time on production of the yellow booklet.

Films – Please note that due to poor attendance the remaining evening films are now cancelled. We will now try showing films in the afternoons at 2.30pm. Full details will be available at The Bridge. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge.

Post Office - with our banks either closed or opening on a part-time basis, please remember you can make cash withdrawals and pay cheques through our post office counter. Donald, Fiona and Alison will be happy to assist.

The Shop - 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. We also stock a good selection of pre-loved books and DVDs at £1 or less.

Bridge of Weir Senior Citizens’ Assoc.

Bridge of Weir Senior Citizens’ Association extend a warm welcome to their meetings in the Cargill Hall at 2pm on Wednesday 8th March with Jim Pollard, “The Music Man”, and Wednesday 22nd March with a talk from the Fire Service and our Annual General Meeting.

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 1253

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 & children welcome (7+ yrs)

07850 407442

Johnstone Tora-Kai Karate

Monday 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Zumba®:

A total workout, combining elements of fitness. 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:

Suitable for all levels of experience! 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:

For more info or to book a trial email: suzanne@balletanddanceacademy.co.uk

Friday 3.15pm - 6.30pm

DDP Yoga:

Fullbodyworkouttoimproveflexibility, strength, balance & cardio fitness. Laura 07474 443505 energisewithlaura@gmail.com

Monday 6.15pm - 7.15pm

FITNESS Bootcamp

Circuits, HIIT Training, Meta fit, Boxercise - and more! £5 per class. baileyfitness101@gmail.com

Tuesdays 7.45pm-8.45pm

brookfieldvillage.org brookfieldvpa@gmail.com

@BrookfieldVPA

Bridge of Weir SWI

Our March meeting on Thursday 2nd at 7.30pm will be a craft demonstration by Lin Pin Crafts. We meet in the Cargill Hall and visitors are welcome.

WARD 10 cllr Robert Innes

Spring is in the air and it has been so nice to see our days getting longer again and the temperatures rising, even if just slightly. One of the best things about this time of year is seeing our villages filled with colour as nature takes its course and it has been great to see the hardworking volunteers of Bee Happy Houston out and about making the village look terrific as always.

The successful projects for Renfrewshire Council’s #YouDecide campaign were announced recently. Thousands of people across Renfrewshire entered with suggestions for local improvements and these were then narrowed down to a select few in each town and village in Renfrewshire, residents then had the opportunity to vote on what enhancements they would like to see happen.

In Houston a pedestrian crossing near the bus stop on Magnus Road/ Piper Road will be installed along with repairs to the steps up to the Helicopter Park (at South Mound) ensuring the park is accessible for people with mobility issues, prams and bicycles. Speed activated signs will also be installed at the entrance to Brookfield. Well done to everyone that got involved and I’m looking forward to seeing these projects in Houston and Brookfield get underway.

I have been receiving reports of bogus callers and doorstep scammers in the local area. Door to door fraudsters and people attempting to swindle bank details out of susceptible victims via the phone remain a serious problem across the whole of Scotland. Many are affiliated to serious organised crime groups and usually overcharge for work that is either unnecessary and/or substandard. They tend to target vulnerable and elderly consumers. Close the door or hang up on uninvited callers. Don’t feel obliged to answer the door or the phone to a cold caller – it is your home and you should not let anyone in unless you feel comfortable. If you feel you have been impacted by this then please do not hesitate to get in touch with me, the local police or you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Contact info: 0300 300 1253 cllr.Robert.Innes@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Book LaunchFar Field

by Jim Carruth

Thursday 2nd March - 7pmFreeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir

March 2nd sees the launch of Renfrewshire poet Jim Carruth’s eagerly awaited new poetry collection Far Field. This is the third and final book in The Auchensale Trilogy - a sequence that has taken a quarter of a century to complete and follows on from the previous books Black Cart and Bale Fire.

The trilogy is being seen as a modern poetry equivalent of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’ A Scot’s Quair and over three books it tracks the changing rural landscape and capture the lived experiences of those who work there.

Despite being the current Poet Laureate of Glasgow, Jim continues to work part-time on the small family dairy farm and many of his poems responding to the daily struggles and challenges faced. All welcome – a free event with teas, coffees and cake after the reading.

H.O.S.T

The Carrick Centre, Houston

Coffee Shop: CLOSED due to planned upgrade, re-open date to be advised - 01505 229597

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

Dance West Scotland: enquiries@dancewestscotland.co.uk

MONDAY

Handiwifes 13th @ 7pm

Diaporama 13th @ 7.30pm

DWL 4pm

TUESDAY

Hazel Connelly Art Class 1.15pm

WRADS MH 14th @ 7pm

Yoga 7pm

WEDNESDAY

Community Council 15th @ 7.30pm

MOO MUSIC 9.45am

Camera Club 7.30pm

Cllr Doig Surgery 15th @ 7pm

THURSDAY

Gryffe Quilting Group 9th @ 1pm 2nd & 16th @ 10am

CraftyFriends 2nd,16th&30th@7.30pm

Folk Club 8pm Merek Wiszniewski - marekw@uwclub.net

DWS 3.30pm

FRIDAY

DWL 3.30pm

Gavin Newlands M.P. 10th @ 12.30pm Cllr Dowling Surgery 17th @ 11.15am Yoga 10.30am

SATURDAY

DWS 9.30am Cllr Innes Surgery 11.30am - 12pm

SUNDAY

Baptist Church 11am & 6pm

DWL B/P 5th @ 2pm

Vicky Moon First Aid Class 12th @ 2.30pm

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

Houston & Killellan Kirk

Spring is just around the corner now and we can all look forward to longer, lighter days and the promise of sunshine.

Our Luxury Pop-up breakfast at the end of January was very busy, raising almost £1,000 for projects in Mwandi, and our Guild Daffodil Tea, in aid of Church and Guild charities, was also very well attended, raising a wonderful total of more than £850.

It was lovely to see everyone who came along to these events - and we all enjoyed the chance to catch up over a cuppa and delicious treats.

Preparations for Houston Kirk Carnival on 13th May are already well underway and this year’s theme is ‘Celebrating 100 Years of Disney’. Save the date now and watch this space for more details. We are starting a Christian Meditation group for six weeks through Lent, starting on Thursday 26th February, at 11am in Killellan Halls. All are welcome. This year we are also hosting World Day of Prayer at 7pm on 3rd March, with refreshments served afterwards.

Communion is on Sunday 5th March, with two services, one at 11am and a later one at 6.45pm. All are welcome, please come and join us. Looking ahead, we have a concert on 11th March, featuring St James’ Handbell Ringers - ‘the oldest ringers in town!’ - and Maria Wilson with Starlight Music Theatre. This event, in aid of projects in Mwandi, takes place at Houston & Killellan Kirk and tickets are available after our Sunday services, or on the door.

Dance the night away on 25th March, at our Ceilidh, with music from The Elderberries, and a caller. You’re guaranteed a great night and it’s for a good cause, as the event is raising funds for “Houston Hello”, our drop-in group for people living with dementia and those who support them.

Regular events include the Foodbank Collection and Wee Blether every Tuesday, the Men’s Shed every Wednesday, “Houston Hello” on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month and Sunday Club, for children, at 11am in the Kirk each week. Keep an eye out for other events organised by Frankie, our Families and Community Development worker.

Houston & Crosslee SWI

At our penultimate meeting on March 8th we welcome Christine Kyle who will demonstrate “Basic Flower Arranging”. The last meeting in April will be our AGM followed by the Macmillan evening.

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.

Residents in Brookfield have brought to my attention the fact that increasingly people are parking at the entrance to Brookfield Park, which is a turning point and highly unsuitable, therefore, for parking of any kind. I have asked the Council officers to erect signage which prohibits this, and makes the situation perfectly clear.

I wish to raise concerns about the vexed issue of school catchment areas which in the Houston area are now under massive pressure, due to increasing housing development, such as the new CALA houses being built. In my fifteen years of representing Linwood, Houston, Crosslee, and Brookfield I have been a staunch defender of the integrity of our village communities and of the greenbelt. However, I do believe in appropriate housing on Brownfield sites. Recently I have had to make clear to new constituents who contact me that there is no certainly that they will be able to get their children into Houston Primary, or Gryffe High, due to catchment area pressure. Before the CALA development was approved I made clear my worries to colleagues on the Planning Board about pressure on schools, roads, and local sewerage, but sadly they were not heeded.

To finish on a positive note, I am delighted that the children’s playpark area at Ardgryffe Park in Houston is now complete. Since 2017 the current administration has prioritised the upgrade of playparks and green spaces which had previously, especially in the villages, been neglected for decades. Long may this trend continue. Surgeries: Wednesday 8th March in the TESCO Linwood Café at 6.30pm.

Contact info:

07768 130 935

cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Dementia Friendly Lochwinnoch

A good turnout enjoyed ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ on Friday 10th February thanks to the Calder U.F. Church for hosting the event. Everyone was treated to tea/coffee and biscuit before the film and ice cream and popcorn at the interval. Next event is on Wednesday 8th March 2pm - 4pm ‘Warm Spaces’ afternoon tea and entertainment ‘The Three Churches.’

‘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 info call 07868 752814.

Residents invited to share their views on shaping the future of Castle Semple

Local residents and businesses are being invited to share their views on the tourism potential of Castle Semple Country Park in Lochwinnoch. A drop-in event was held at Castle Semple Visitor Centre on Thursday 23rd February from 2pm – 7pm to allow local residents to meet with representatives from Renfrewshire Council to discuss their ambitions for the park, its tourism potential and opportunities for the future. Attendees were asked to consider their hopes for the future of the park and the wider area. The views gathered from the event will be used to help shape the longer-term vision for the park.

Castle Semple Country Park has been identified as a key location for attracting visitors to Renfrewshire and has the potential to create a regional destination offering quality rural experiences for the benefit of the wider area.

Anyone unable to attend in person will have the opportunity to share their views online from Thursday 23rd February until 23rd March by visiting: www.ironsidefarrar.com/castlesemple.html

Howwood Parish Church

March already. How time flies. Gardens are starting to show signs of life. Wee buds on the roses and snowdrops multiplying all over. This months dates:

THE GUILD - Monday 13th March - Talk by Street Pastors

Monday 27th March - Daffodil Tea

Entertainment by Stephen Quigg.

COFFEE MORNING - Wednesday 15th March

The coffee morning is becoming very popular with steadily increasing numbers coming along. The more the merrier, so all come along for the chat and good company.

Church and Sunday School services are held at 10am each Sunday. Come along and join us. All are welcome in this place.

The old library centre

kilbarchan

opening Times:

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

Monday

Spanish Conversation 2pm - 3.45pm (Ran by U3A)

Tuesday

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

Board Games 2pm - 4pm (1st Tuesday of the month - ran by U3A)

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

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)

March events as part of the Winter Connections will be as follows:

1st & 15th - musical/singalong afternoon with music provided by the Daft Trio. Hear all your old Scottish favourites for a great afternoon. Free tea/coffee. Doors open 1.30pm. Performance starts at 2pm. 15th - film showing of Carousel, with award winning score by Rodgers & Hammerstein, including the original version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Free refreshments and entry. Please phone or email for further info

The Old Library Centre 9 High Barholm, Kilbarchan, PA10 2EF

Kipco is a Scottish charity, SC031251, and is run by volunteers

01505 706070

kipcokil@hotmail.com www.kipco.org

The last Finance Board meeting of the Council agreed to provide civic hospitality for Kilbarchan

Pipe Band, at their request, for 200 people at a buffet reception to mark their current Scottish, UK, and international success in the world of competitive piping. This is nothing less than the piping equivalent of St Mirren winning the European Cup and I did write to both the Provost and the Council Leader suggesting that these historic victories for Kilbarchan Pipe Band be commemorated in an appropriate way. I am delighted that colleagues on the Finance Board agreed.

Constituents in Howwood have been looking anxiously at the planning application for ten houses on the Carswood House site. It is a brownfield site and had been the site of a care home some fifteen to twenty years ago. At the last Planning Board Cllr Chris Gilmour moved for a site visit and I seconded him, on the basis that it would be instructive for other Board members to look at the access to the site, to see if it is deemed appropriate for further development.

The last meeting of the Council’s Economy and Regeneration Board welcomed the creation of Renfrewshire Council’s new Tourism Action Plan. This is an ambitious new departure which will see Castle Semple Visitor Centre develop,with national funding,as a key tourism hub to help promote the tourism potential of all Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.

Item 5, the Tourism Update from the Chief Executive on the Economy and Regeneration Board papers, highlighted how Renfrewshire Council has been successful over the last three months in securing funding from VisitScotland for infrastructure development around Castle Semple and RSPB Lochwinnoch. This is fantastic news for Lochwinnoch and the surrounding area and I very much welcome this.

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.

Contact

Kilbarchan National Women’s Register

During March we shall be visiting the Houston group for a talk on the Olive Tree Cafe at the Tron in Glasgow. One of our own members is giving us a talk on Wellness and we hope to have a visit to the Fairfield Museum and a walk in Govan, along with coffee meetings.

The Book Group will discuss The Mystery of Henri Pick. Several members have joined the Renfrewshire guided walks recently including the Murals in Paisley and a walk round “new” parts of Houston and have also walked in Bowling.

During the week 6th - 10th March, the National Organiser is hosting an online zoom conference with talks morning and afternoon, finishing with a quiz on Friday 10th.

If you’d like to find out more about our busy group, please phone 703786 and for further details visit the website: www.nwr.org.uk

Sewing & Craft Class

Run by Howwood Community Council. Every Tuesday from 12noon - 2pm in Howwood Village Hall. Make draft excluders, curtains etc. £1.50 per class. All Howwood residents welcome. No experience needed. Sewing machines provided.

Easter Craft and Gift Fayre

Kilbarchan Guide Centre

Sunday 5th March 1pm - 4pm

20+ stalls filled with gorgeous gifts and crafts for presents for your loved ones or simply yourself. We welcome some of our favourites including Nicole McCarron’s Silver Jewellery, Threepwood Fayre, All Things Nice and Kilbarchan Soaps to name a few. Come along to browse our stalls can’t wait to see you there.

Entry: £3 includes tea or coffee

Howwood Community Warm Spaces

Come along to Howwood Village Hall every Friday until 31st March from 12noon until 2pm. Get together, sandwiches, tea/ coffee, tabletop activity and a wee natter.

You can bring a book to read, draw, sit and join in the general activities or just come in from the cold.

Kilbarchan Parish Church

Services continue each Sunday at 11am, conducted by Rev. Stephen Smith and coffee and tea are served in the hall after the service. All welcome. Each service is available to watch by Live Stream by logging on to the church website: www.kilbarchankirk.org All are welcome in the church or online. Junior Church meets each week in the small hall from 10.45am.

MIDWEEK FELLOWSHIP - Wednesday mornings at 10.30am in the small hall, with coffee/tea and chat, followed by a short act of worship.

BADMINTON CLUB continues on Thursdays from 8pm - 10pm in the large hall. Players of all ages and abilities are most welcome.

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH GUILD has 2 meetings in Marchon Tuesday 14th a talk from Crossreach “Heart for Art Project” and on 28th the AGM. Both meetings are at 2.30pm in the large hall. The World Day of Prayer takes place in Kilbarchan Parish Church on Friday 3rd at 7pm followed by refreshments in the hall.

MESSY CHURCH - next meeting is on Saturday 18th March at 4.30pm - families are welcome to come along for an afternoon of crafts, music, stories and a meal together.

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH TOTS’ CLUB is on every Monday morning from 9.15am - 11.30am in Kilbarchan Parish Church hall, off Steeple Square. The club is for tots of 3 years and under along with their accompanying adult. The cost is still £1 per adult, including refreshments. As there is a large number now on the register, priority will be given to tots from Kilbarchan.

RENFREWSHIRE FOOD BANK is supported weekly by Parish church members who have also donated to the Earthquake Disaster appeal.

THE EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANzA takes place on Saturday 1st April from 10am - 12noon in the halls and grounds. There will be an Easter egg hunt along with a decorated egg and bonnet competition. Entrance is £3, children £1 and includes hot-cross buns. All welcome.

All details of our different organisations along with contact details can be found on the website: www.kilbarchankirk.org

Retired Kilbarchan GP Margaret Borthwick Launches Art Degree Show

‘Heartlands’ on Friday 31st March until Monday 3rd April Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock PA15 1HJ

The exhibition is based around the scenery and environment around the Castle Semple area, documenting this special location over changing seasons and conditions.

Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Margaret Borthwick said: “As a child I loved to draw and paint but did not study art. I initially joined a local art club and in 2013 I began to study painting with the Open College of the Arts starting on the BA (Hons) Painting degree.

“My paintings are mainly in oil on canvas and drawn with pen on paper often with the addition of watercolour.”

You can find out more about Margaret’s art and the exhibition by following her on Instagram at @margaretborthwick8

Kilmacolm Old Kirk

SOLAS BEREAVEMENT: The drop-in group will be meeting in the Lounge of the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm, on Thursday 9th March at 2pm. As always, this meeting is open to all with no pre-registration required. Sòlas 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, Sòlas 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: Thursday 2nd March, the Caol Mor Trio Ceilidh Band will entertain us with some favourite toe-tapping Scottish tunes. On Thursday 16th March we “join” legendary conductor and violinist Andre Rieu for a concert in Maastricht.

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. Meetings traditionally enjoy a guest speaker, or videos, quiz, tombola, easy keep fit.

Sunday Worship takes place in Kilmacolm Old Kirk every Sunday at 11am. Refreshments are served after the service for all to enjoy some companionship. 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

HOLY WEEK SERVICES in APRIL will be held at 1pm on Monday 3rd to Wednesday 5th April and at 7.30pm on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th (Good Friday). The Thursday service includes a celebration of the Sacrament of Communion. All are welcome.

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 ILMACOLM

• 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

ward 1 cllr Stephen Mccabe

Following the decision of the Scottish Government to grant planning permission to McTaggart and Mickel for their housing development at West of Quarry Drive the Council will need to decide if we are going to sell them land we own at Wateryetts Drive for an access road into the development site. This will require to be the subject of a community consultation before a decision is made. There is competing interest from a group of residents who want to turn this land into a community garden and growing space.

Council Officers have been continuing to press the Post Office for updates on Kilmacolm Post Office. At the time of writing, we have been assured there is a new operator in place and that the Post Office will open as soon as some refurbishment work to the premises is completed.

Work is underway on the improvements to Birkmyre Park being funded by the Council. New picnic tables have been installed with the other works – new play equipment, seating, wildflower displays and trees - due to be completed by the summer.

Work on upgrading the pavements in the centre of the village is due to start in April. The contract for this project is currently out to tender. The estimated cost is £225,000.

There were no objections to the proposed statutory Kilmacolm Village Centre 20mph zone. The full Council will now be asked to approve a speed limit order in April to bring this into effect. I don’t have a date yet for when the zone will be operational.

A revised planning application for the development of 64 houses and flats has been submitted by Balrossie Homes Ltd. Planning permission was previously granted in 2018, but that was due to expire this month. Council officials are currently considering the revised application.

Surgery: Boglestone Community Centre on Tuesday 14th March from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Contact info: 01475 712 020 (office hours)

Kilmacolm new Community Centre

Monday Yoga

with

ward 1 cllr david wilson

At an SPT Operations Committee meeting on the 20th January a temporary contract was awarded to McGill’s Buses until the 15th July to continue the 530 service from Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow Retail Park. The cost of the subsidy is £988 per week (total contract cost £24,000). Patronage will be closely monitored during this period and the potential subsidy per passenger trip will be determined. I consider this service to be a lifeline for some constituents, but we are dealing with tax-payers monies and it is vital that the service is used. The bus market is in long term decline and has not recovered from the pandemic. Something will have to change. I favour the Transport for London model. The one success in public transport in the West is the SPT owned Glasgow Subway which has reached 95% patronage. I invited Chief Inspector of the West Command Roads Policing Unit to give a presentation to the Police Scrutiny Committee. She emphasised their role in accident and crime prevention. The Greater Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde base has one Inspector, six Sergeants and 64 Constables. We are updating our traffic calming Priority List. Currently we have two areas in the top 20. A761 Bridge of Weir Road from Porterfield Road and Silverlake and the A761 Port Glasgow Road between Wateryetts Drive and Auchenbothie Gardens. Finlaystone Road between Leperstone and Yetts Avenue is at number 53.

There have been objections to the Traffic Regulation Orders for the village and the TROs will now be examined by a reporter. I will give evidence as I objected to the removal of parking places outside the Doctor’s surgery in Bridge of Weir Road. I have asked for the notices to be removed from lamp posts.

The new Sluice by the Moss will have no access over the new structure, but the existing sluice is still there to walk over.

The 20 affordable houses as part of the Quarry Drive Application, subject to planning permission, will provide family homes for mid-market rent or low cost home ownership and retirement/amenity homes for social rent and new supply shared equity.

We will have a public holiday on May 8th to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. Like others I remember the excitement of his mothers Crowning and look forward to celebrating this unique event.

Surgery: Cargill, 18th March 10am - 11am

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

Angel Voices Choir

The Angel Voices Choir performed at the Inverclyde Music Festival and retained the Peter Pan Cup.

Rehearsals on Fridays at 6pm in St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road Kilmacolm

Special Events in March

Mini First Aid - 11th, 10am – 12noon

Horticultural Society Talk - 15th, 7pm – 9pm

Sound Bath - 15th, 7pm – 8pm

Art Exhibition - 24th/25th, 10am – 4pm

Centre Opening Times

Monday – Friday: 9am to 10pm

Saturday: 9am to 3pm

Sunday: Closed

Enquiries & Room Hire: 01505 873994

Cafe Opening Times

Monday – Friday: 10am to 4pm

Saturday: 10am to 3pm

Director of Music: Mrs Anne Lawrence and Accompanist, Mr Michael Hepburn.

Kilmacolm Easter Collection for Inverclyde Women’s Aid

VINo13 Kilmacolm Wine Bar will be holding an Easter Collection for the women and children staying safe in the Inverclyde Women’s Aid refuge this Easter.

We will be happy to receive your donations from Wednesday 22nd March to Wednesday 5th April

Our Easter Bunny Gift List:

• Easter Eggs, Creme Eggs, Mini Eggs etc

• Soft Toys (brand new) – Rabbits, Chicks, Lambs

Reservations & Takeaway: 01505 874663

Sunday: Closed www.cargillcentre.com

• Easter stickers, games, colouring in books, Easter books

We look forward to receiving your kind donations for Inverclyde Women’s Aid this Easter – Davy, Michelle & Jenny. I can be contacted JennyMeadows10@outlook.com

£65k Kilmacolm park improvements

Improvements worth £65,000 are due for Birkmyre Park in Kilmacolm following a public consultation.

It comes after Inverclyde Council carried out an outdoor spaces consultation seeking people’s views on potential improvements for the area. Almost 300 responses were submitted and helped influence the improvements that will be made in the coming months.

Based on the feedback from the consultation, the following works are now planned:

• Extension to the children’s play area

• Additional seating and picnic tables

• Wildflower displays

• Additional tree planting

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “Birkmyre Park is one of the many wonderful assets we have in Inverclyde and these improvements will enhance this area even further.

“I look forward to work commencing over the coming weeks and months and seeing the planning improvements delivered.”

St Columba, Kilmacolm

Kilmacolm Civic Trust

Have you ever wondered what life was like originally, in Kilmacolm, in the early and middle twentieth century? The village was a self-sustaining community with six bakeries and a creamery. All the produce was sourced locally from nearby farms.

The Civic Trust have been collecting photographs and documents as well as many stories from the older residents of Kilmacolm and now effectively hold the unofficial record of Kilmacolm history. The stories are available on video or in written form on our website www.kilmacolmcivictrust.org.

To access these use the drop down menu ‘About Kilmacolm’ and go to ‘Search our videos’ or ‘Village stories’.

We are always looking for more stories and insights. If you or anyone you know would like to help with the videos, it is a painless and enjoyable exercise, please contact by email archivist@kilmacolmcivictrust.org. Alternatively things can be recorded or written down.

We also continue to collect Kilmacolm’s historical information in the form of photographs, pictures and documents, to add to our huge collection. If families do not wish to lose important local history we can add these to our archive of over 1500 items, most of which is now digitised and will be available soon. Contact the archivist as above.

Morning Worship conducted by our locum Rev Morris Coull continues throughout March at 11am. On Sunday 12th March Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Following the Service on Sunday 19th March a Soup and Pudding Lunch will be served in the Large Hall. Wednesday Break resumes - sadly without our beloved Muriel Ellis - in the Large Hall, Bridge of Weir Road.

1st March at 10.30am. At this Meeting the inter-church village World Day of Prayer Committee will present the World Day of Prayer Service prepared by Christian Women of Taiwan on the Theme, “I have heard about your Faith.” All are welcome.

8th March 10.30am : Rev Kenneth Gray Freeland Church Bridge of Weir

15th March 10.30am: Rev John Craib Bearsden Baptist Church

22nd March 10.30am: Rev Morris Coull locum Minister, St Columba Kilmacolm

29th March 10.30am: Glasgow City Mission

St Columba’s School will hold Assemblies for the Senior School in our Sanctuary each Monday from 9.30am to 10.15am

The Ladies Badminton Group meets on Wednesdays at 1.30pm in the large hall.

Playgroup meet in small hall from 9.30am to 11.30am each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for children from 2 years 4 months to 5.

Mothers and Toddlers meet Wednesdays 10am - 10.45am in small hall for children 3 months to 5 years.

Weight Watchers meet on Wednesday evenings in the Large Hall. (For information regarding contacts for any of these Groups please telephone Wilson Hogarth 01505 872564)

Kilmacolm Art Class Annual Exhibition

Community Centre

Kilmacolm

Friday 24th March, 10am - 5pm

Saturday 25th March, 10am - 3pm

Over one hundred colourful paintings for sale, great eclectic mix of subjects and mediums. Abstract, animals, local scenery, seascapes, street scenes and gorgeous flower paintings. Sale is only on for two days, so please mark in your diary now.

We would be delighted to welcome new members to our group - if you are interested, please leave your name and telephone number at the art show. Entry and catalogue £2, children under 5 free.

Photograph attached by Allison Reid, one of our new artists.

Open Monday to Friday 10 am - 3 pm , Kilmacolm Community Centre Tea/Coffee available. For details, speak to a member of staff

schools & Sports

Langbank Primary School

Burns Afternoon

On 25th January Langbank had a whole school celebration of the life and works of Robert Burns. The children looked fantastic wearing tartan and entertained us with their recitals of Burn’s poetry and Scottish songs. The afternoon culminated with a whole school barn dance and a toast to Rabbie Burns.

Kilbarchan Community Nursery SCIO

The children are having a very busy term. They have been learning about birds, taking part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch and looking after the birds in the garden by making bird feeders.

Parents and carers have been joining us to take part in Stay and Play, Bookbug and Cooking with Children sessions. We have been looking after our wellbeing and, during wellbeing week, the children tried a range of different physical activities as well as talking about emotions and feelings. We are delighted to have Jo James back with her weekly Musicland sessions.

Science Centre

Primary 1/2 had a fabulous visit to the Glasgow Science Centre where they were able to try lots of exciting experiments. They loved looking at the stars in the Planetarium. We are now working with the Science Centre every week to develop our understanding of nature.

Skoobmobile

Primary 1/2 and Primary 3/4 had a visit from the Skoobmobile. We loved listening to stories and choosing books. Primary 5 and 6/7 will have a visit later in the month.

‘Our Story’ Dance project

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Right2Dance over the next 3 months. Right2Dance were successful in being awarded £5000 from the Local Partnership Grant Fund (Renfrewshire Council)

Aileen from Right2Dance has organised a wonderful programme for our whole school including creative dance, drama input from PACE and music/filming from Erskine Arts.

This project is called ‘Our Story’ and we need YOU to help us bring our dance to life. We want to gather as many stories from all generations of the local community. If you were an ex-pupil, ex-member of staff, a neighbour of the school, part of the church and beyond please do get in touch.

We hope to arrange a community cafe in the next few weeks to invite you in to share your stories in person with our children. In the meantime, if you have any connection to Langbank Primary please contact the school to share your story.

Email: langbankenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk and put ‘Our Story’ Dance project in the subject heading. We look forward to hearing your stories!

Transition events are well under way for the pre-school children. As well as weekly gym sessions in the school hall, the children have been visiting the class bases to take part in activities with the primary 1 children.

Abbey Nursery School

We wanted to share the fantastic news that we have recently celebrated 12 consistent years of Eco Schools at Abbey Nursery and have just achieved our 6th Green Flag with Marissa Barr (Room Supervisor) leading on all 6 of these across the 12 Years.

At Abbey, we also have almost 100% of eligible children signed up to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Scheme where children ages 2-5 residing in Renfrewshire may be eligible for a free book delivered to their door every month!

You may notice some books around the Houston Area that we have hidden for local children to borrow, read and return where they found them for others to enjoy too! Please let us know if you found any and what you thought of the stories.

To celebrate almost reaching 100% sign up, we are hosting a Dolly inspired Easter Egg Hunt with our Dolly Easter Bonnets in April! Keep a look out for fabulous photos of our upcoming event!.

Houston Primary

P6 Outdoor Learning

P6 pupils have been keeping themselves warm, by lighting a fire, making hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows on a cold and frosty morning! A great time was had by all.

Number Day 2023

Pupils and staff dressed up for Number Day and raised funds for the NSPCC. Creative costumes were designed and worn, with winners being chosen from each year group. The pupils engaged in a wide variety of number themed tasks throughout the day. We raised an amazing £246 to support the NSPCC. Thank you to all those who donated so generously. The pupils and staff had a great day of ‘digit’ fun!

Soup Making

Pupils from our Gardening Club, made delicious potato and leek soup as their final activity of the season. Mrs Morrison and her team helped the pupils to harvest their crops, wash and prepare them before putting them in the pot. The smell of the freshly made soup was amazing.

Men’s Shed

Adam and Bob from the Men’s Shed have agreed to share their woodwork skills with us, to help develop our outdoor courtyard area. We will be using pallets and wood donated from some of our Houston parents to create storage areas for our outdoor resources. This a wonderful community project and we hope to inspire some of our own young joiners to take up this trade!

Recycling - Car Project

Mr Rough, our wonderful janitor, is teaching our young joiners how to screw in nails to make their very own ‘play car’ using recycled materials. Great job!

Scottish Afternoon

This year we celebrated our Scottish culture with song, music and poetry. Pupils addressed the haggis, our violinists played Ali Bali Bee and super confident pupils recited a variety of Scottish poetry, with wonderful expression. Our P4-7 winners this year were Rhuari Toole, Harris Templeton, Luke Thompson and Harry Alexander. Well done to all of the pupils who were runners up, as it was a very close competition!

Football News

Well done to our school football team. They played very well against a tough physical group and through the cold windy weather.

2 - 0 Thorn; 1 - 0 Cochrane Castle; 0 - 0 Our Lady of Peace; 2 - 3 Kilbarchan; 2 - 2 BOW

Rivet Boy ISBN 9781911279228

by Barbara Henderson

Cranachan Publishing Limited

In 1888, the last thing that John Nicol imagines he will be doing when he turns 12 is signing up to work on the iconic Forth Bridge construction site, but that’s exactly what happens! With his Dad gone, being the breadwinner in his family means that at the grand old age of 12, John will be the one who his family rely on to provide an income. The bridge, however, is fraught with danger and John is terrified of heights. Can he overcome his fear and find the courage to climb the bridge? John soon learns that mastering the heights of the bridge isn’t the only fear that he will have to overcome, when he’s put in the notorious Cain Murdoch’s Rivet Gang... Rivet Boy is a brilliant, Scottish historical adventure based on real people and events and superbly blends fact with fiction. Perfect for 9+ adventure lovers who enjoy history.

Emerald and the Ocean Parade

ISBN 9780192783974

by Harriet Muncaster | Oxford University Press

From the world of Isadora Moon comes a brand new series introducing Isadora’s mermaid friend Emerald and her wriggly pet octopus, Inkiebelle! Emerald is learning to be a mermaid princess but she really doesn’t feel like one. She doesn’t like living at the royal palace and she isn’t very good at waving to crowds. Emerald’s hair is too wild and spiky for the royal headdresses, but with the Ocean Parade approaching will she be brave enough to be a mermaid princess, but do it in her own special way?! Age 6+ fans of Isadora Moon and Mirabelle will love Emerald! Published 02/03/23

Human Body ISBN 9781800782365

by Gail Armstrong | Templar Publishing

The body comes to life in this one-of-a-kind paper-cut book. Discover the human body by lifting flaps, peeking behind and peeling back the layers of anatomy. Pull back the rib cage to find the lungs and the heart hiding underneath; open the lungs to find and learn all about the alveoli. There’s so much to discover in this cleverly designed book of the human body, which is particularly fantastic for visual learners. Perfect for age 8+ readers who want to learn more about the human body.

LockwoOd & Co: The Screaming Staircase

by Jonathan Stroud

Penguin Random House Children’s UK Lockwood & Co has recently made its way to Netflix and if you love the TV series then you definitely need to give the book series a go. The Screaming Staircase introduces us to the psychic investigation agency of Lockwood & Co, who although small and a little chaotic purport to be the best in the business. Lucy Carlyle is Anthony Lockwood’s newest agent and with the number of ghostly criminal cases on the rise, she’s going to have her work cut out. The Screaming Staircase finds the agency investigating the death of young socialite, Annie Ward, after they’re hired to hunt down a ghost. Things don’t quite go to plan and Lockwood & Co are faced with the prospect of losing the agency..how will they be able to redeem themselves and will they be able to save the agency?! A tremendously chilling, supernatural adventure for 11+ readers We’re also stocking the World BoOk Day boOks!

8, Stewart Place, Kilmacolm, P a 13 4 a F T: 01505 871283

Bridge of Weir Primary School

TIME TO DANCE

What fun we have had in the dull winter months learning to dance with Shona of Sho-Time and Amy of Inspire Dance.

Shona is an expert in expressive dance and runs her own performing arts company, shotimeperformingarts.com.

Each class enjoyed lessons built around Game Time, Explore Time, Move Time and Create Time.

Shona’s infectious enthusiasm had everyone at ease and fully involved. She started each lesson with a fun game which got everyone warmed up and ready to move. Explore Time saw pupils experimenting with drama and movement and working together in pairs and group to create themed scenarios.

In Move Time a whole dance choreography was developed and practised to a selection of fabulous songs. For Create Time, Shona inspired pupils to make things in their own time and several brought their creations in for her to see.

These lessons were built around the themes of The Jungle, Pirates, Space Adventure, The Snowman, Toy Story and Lion King. We can’t thank Shona enough for coming along to help us have a wonderful creative dancing experience.

In week 3 it was time to learn some hip-hop dance with Amy. After a heart pounding warm up, pupils worked hard to perfect a hip-hop routine. This was a great example of how ‘practice makes perfect’ and what a sense of achievement was felt as everyone worked together to dance in harmony.

Feedback from pupils has been excellent and all agreed that this was a brilliant use of funds to bring movement, dance skills, fun and joy to our school. Both Shona and Amy said they loved working with the pupils of BOWPS.

DRESS TO EXPRESS

This sense of fun was continued the next week as we focused on positive mental health during Children’s Mental Health Week using Plce2Be’s ‘Let’s Connect’ theme. Each day classes carried out the Taskmaster activities teaching them to connect with each other, focus on wellbeing and find joy. This culminated in Dress to Express day when everyone wore whatever they wanted to express who they are. This was a welcome change from uniform and was enjoyed by all.

Duchal Nursery

Our “People who help Us” topic has been so inspiring, the children have loved having so many visitors arriving at Duchal, often in some very impressive vehicles.

We have been very lucky to meet some of our local fire fighters, policeman and doctors. We were even able to explore inside the vehicles which assist them in their very important jobs that help us.

A huge thank you to those parents that have visited us and shared with the children how their jobs help so many of us.

The imaginative play corner looked like it was going to remain as a permanent Duchal Fire Station, however the new Vets Surgery is now also proving very popular with our animal loving children.

With the lighter days and Spring on the way we are enjoying some drier times out in the garden and exploring the park, looking out for new signs of life with the bulbs emerging.

To keep up to date with all the latest news follow us on social media, if you are interested in a place for your child the best way to discover more about us 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.

St COlumbas

Early Years ‘Sea’ the World with Campbell Snowdon

Since teaming up in 2018, the St Columba’s Early Years children have enjoyed a close connection with the residents of Campbell Snowdon House in Quarriers Village. Meeting up on a regular basis, they have, among other things, enjoyed bingo afternoons, taken Italian lessons and gone out to lunch together. This has huge benefits to everyone involved, promoting empathy and understanding between the different age groups, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Back in October, they began work on a very special Intergenerational Concert, which they performed on 4th February in the Junior School Hall to an audience of friends and families.

This spectacle of music, movement and drama told the story of a trip to the beach, including a visit from the postman, a train journey, a storm and LOTS of fun and games. Songs were woven throughout, including classics such as When the Saints Go Marching In, She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, as well as some less familiar tunes. By the end of the performance, even the audience were was singing along with great gusto. The concert was also supported by some of our talented SV/VI musicians, adding an extra generational layer to the proceedings.

This was a wonderful event, both heart-warming and joyous. It was a great showcase of the amazing intergenerational work taking place in the Early Years department and of the friendships that have blossomed between the children and the Campbell Snowdon residents. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Campbell Snowdon and can’t wait to see where this strong and fruitful partnership will take us next.

Interested in learning more about infant years at St Columba’s School? Get in touch with our Admissions Registrar to find out more and enquire about a free Early Years (ages 3 & 4) place for your child. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up- to- date with all of the goings on at St Columba’s. admissions@st-columbas.org | st-columabs.org

Howwood Curling Club

Regular Meet Classes

Reebok Step Class

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

Jennifer Sloan

Physiotherapy Led Pilates

Kilmacolm Community Centre

Wednesdays: 6.15pm - 7.15pm

7.30pm - 8.30pm

Come & Try Session

Howwood Curling Club are always looking for new members to join our friendly curling club which meets at Greenacres, near Howwood. It is a great way to keep fit and socialise with people in a friendly atmosphere. Current club members come from Renfrewshire, Glasgow and North Ayrshire. We are now looking for new players to play for the 2023/24 season.

We have organised a Come & Try session on Wednesday 1st March at 7.30pm at Greenacres Curling Club. Anyone who is interested is invited to come along and try out curling. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or ability. We will provide qualified coaches to give you the tuition you need. You will also meet with our club members and get to play. If you continue to be interested, following the Come & Try, we will invite you to our closing bonspiel for the 2022/23 season on the 29th March. We will provide further coaching then. You will also get a chance to meet and curl with more of our club members. All the equipment you need will be provided. The cost on the night for ice is £10.

Please contact Lachie Carmichael if you wish to attend. Email: lachiedcarmichael@hotmail.com or telephone: 01294 823643 / 07854 328938

Thursdays: 9.30am - 10.30am

Jennifer 07731 303709 jennifer-mcghee@hotmail.co.uk

Clyde Physiotherapy Pilates classes

St Machars Church Hall, Bridge of Weir

Monday: 9.30am / 10.40am / 7pm

Booking essential. Zoom option also available.

Yvonne 07786 224 367 yvonne@clydephysiotherapy.co.uk

Zumba

Freelands Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir (Opposite Amaretto) Monday: 10am

Come along, have fun to fantastic music and feel FAB. All fitness levels welcome.

Mo 07505 126 416

Move it or Lose it!

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

Junior Parkruns...

weekly, free 2km timed run held at 9.30am on Sunday mornings at Battery Park, Greenock & Barshaw Park Glasgow Road, Paisley PA1! Please register before your first run. Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in Funworld - please come & join us!

Castle Semple Sailing Club

Members have been working hard to prepare the club for the start of the sailing season. We are now in the midst of The Winter Series, leading up to the traditional work party on 26th March. The start line for all of our races has been slightly moved to take account of the new clubhouse position, and we will be making use of a new Duty Roster system.

We would be pleased to see anybody interested in the sailing club at any time. Sundays are probably best at this time of year. We have a New Members Coffee at 12 noon on Sunday 2nd April, but everyone is welcome then too.

You’ll find us by walking past Clyde Muirshiel Visitor Centre at Lochwinnoch, and their compound. We are the next compound you reach.

Spring Forward!

Clocks go forward 1hr on Sunday 26 th March at 1 am

John G Fleming Bowling Club, Houston

We are looking for new members to join the Club in time for the outdoor season commencing in early April.

The Club has very active Ladies, Gents and Mixed Sections. There are special introductory joining fees available - £50 for a Lady/Gent and £75 for a couple. Don’t worry if you have never bowled before - we will supply you with free bowls and free coaching!

For more information please contact the Club Secretary, Bill McColgan by email at info@jgfemingbc.co.uk

Gryffe Valley Rotary 10K Run

Sunday 21 st May at 1 pm

Route on country lanes between Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm, starting from Houston Public Park, for all abilities from serious runners to novices/joggers.

Proceeds donated to:

One of Scotland’s Top 100 Courses on your doorstep!

18-Hole Championship Course | 300-Yard Driving Range

2-Bay Indoor Studio | Friendly Club | Tuition for All Levels

To enquire about membership options, please contact Jen gm@kilmacolmgolfclub.com | 01505 872139

WIN a Four Ball!

Kilmacolm GC are giving 3 lucky winners a Four Ball voucher each!

To enter the prize draw, scan the QR code or go to:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KGCTop100 Terms

Local Golf Course makes Scotland’s top 100 list

The National Club Golfer (NCG) recently published a very complimentary review of Kilmacolm Golf Club, which was listed at number 70 in the NCG’s Top 100 courses in Scotland.

Founded in 1891, Kilmacolm is a moorland course, nestled in the hills overlooking Knapps Loch. It was designed by the reknowned James Braid and won the James Braid Course of the Year in 2013. It has been described as a ‘miniature Gleneagles’.

With a lovely clubhouse, outdoor driving range, plenty of parking and views over the village to the Muirshiel hills, it is a very pleasant golfing place. The clubhouse houses the Pro Shop alongside an indoor Golf Simulator, bar and lounge, with delicious food by chef, Neil Moodie available during the day.

The Club has a strong membership and is always keen to encourage new members. There are various options for membership, so something for everyone.

The junior section is well subscribed, and in the last couple of years, the Professional, Stuart Roberts, has been running very popular junior coaching sessions during the school holidays.

Kilmacolm has nurtured a number of national and international golfers throughout the years and has a number of male and female golfing ambassadors – the most recent being a Junior to have won the Under 18’s Scottish Handicap Championship and made her debut for Scotland at Under 16 level.

Stuart also runs a Ladies Academy each year to give ladies a flavour of golf and the uptake to full membership is always high. The Academy includes access to sets of clubs and bags, tuition on the driving range and putting green, and a warm, welcoming introduction to other lady members including playing on the course.

Why not read the full review on the link below and find out more about the Club. Or, even better, arrange a visit for yourself and discover why Kilmacolm is listed in the top 100 courses in Scotland list.

https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/most-underrated-golf-courses-in-scotland/

To find out about membership or open competitions visit our website: www.kilmacolmgolfclub.com

Low Impact Fitness Class

Mondays 7 pm - 7.45 pm

Howwood Parish Church

Pre-Register for the event online at: https://entries.runabc.co.uk/e/rotaryclub-of-gryffe-valley-10k-908

Suitable for all ages (16+) and abilities. Bring a filled water bottle, a mat or towel for floor exercising and hand weights (or filled 2L water bottle).

This class is free up to and including Monday 13th March - thanks to Winter Connections Fundingafter which will be £5 per class. No booking required, just turn up and join in!

Ranfurly Castle Ladies

The Ladies section held their 93rd AGM in the Clubhouse on Saturday 21st January. This was the first one without Covid restrictions and so was well attended, despite being a very icy morning. Morag Cunningham, the outgoing Captain, welcomed Karen Binning as the Lady Captain for 2023 and wished her a successful year. Karen then presented all the Silverware for the 2022 Competitions to the winners, including our Lady Champion Golfer, Louise Cooper. Louise gave an excellent vote of thanks to the Committee for all their hard work and to all the ladies for being so friendly and welcoming during her time at the Castle.

Sadly there have been 3 deaths within the past Lady Captains in a month. Isobel McCallum passed away peacefully in Kirkcudbright at the age of 100, a wonderful life! On 6th January Dorothy Simpson passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, a real shock to everyone. She was a very active and popular member of the club and will be much missed. Finally, Jane Biggart passed away peacefully on Saturday 21st January. She had been Captain in1973-1974. We send condolences to the families of all the ladies.

Moving forward, the golfing season will soon be with us and the first ladies competition will be the 5 club, 12 hole Stableford on Wednesday 22nd March followed by the first Medal on Wednesday 5th April. Everyone is looking forward to enjoying all the changes to the course that have been on going throughout the winter months. The Head Greenkeeper Craig, and his team, have been working in all weathers and now all that is needed is some warmth and growth for everything to look amazing and for some excellent scores - we hope!

Old Course Ranfurly

January was a busy month for social activity at Old Ranfurly. Our 59th Burns supper was another fantastic evening of Burns, haggis, song and laughter. Our guest Davie Christie addressed the haggis and also provided a masterclass in fiddle playing. The award winning folksinger and songwriter

Claire Hastings was amazing as usual and mesmerised the audience with her renditions of various Burns songs. Geoff Urie provided a hilarious immortal memory, with Alan Stirling offering the Toast to the Lassies and Yvonne MacPhee replying to the Laddie’s with neither pulling any punches!

Alistair Howe of Ranfurly Castle provided the toast to Old Course Ranfurly in his first official role as Captain.

Our monthly quiz nights continued in January and we welcomed over 100 members and guests to the club on 27th January. Alan Stirling was our quizmaster and donned his gold jacket once again. He even organised

a game of bingo during the interval which was won by Janice Gamble who very kindly donated her £45 winnings to this months nominated charity. Congratulations to the winning team (pictured), who are all retired teachers and friends and captained by our very own member, Alison Thompson. £391 was raised on the night and the winning team nominated all proceeds to be donated to MND.

Since October, our quiz nights have raised an impressive £1,500 for various charities including MND, Finding Your Feet, SAMH, Alzheimer’s UK and St Vincent Hospice.

The quizzes are brilliant social occasions at the club and to have raised this much money in the process for charity is fantastic.

In addition to the quizzes, over the festive period the club sold bags of tablet at the bar in aid of CHAS over the last few weeks which has raised a further £253.

out & about

Inverclyde Garden Waste permits on Sale

Garden waste permits now on sale with brown bin collections resuming in March. Permits cost £40 for each brown bin. To purchase online, or for further information, visit the council website www.inverclyde.gov.uk/garden-waste or call the Garden Waste Helpline on 01475 714555.

Collections will take place at the same time as blue bin household recycling collection starting week beginning 13th or 20th March, depending on residents’ regular recycling collection day. Brown bins will be emptied through until November.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “As we look forward to brighter nights and milder weather, our attentions start to turn towards our gardens and preparing them for the spring and summer months after a period of hibernation during the winter.

“Garden permits cost the same no matter what time of year people buy them so it makes sense to purchase one as soon as possible to ensure permit-holders can get the maximum benefit from March through until November when brown bins are collected.

“We have a good track record of recycling in Inverclyde and that includes garden waste materials and things like grass, hedge trimmings, weeds and shrub cuttings, can be put in brown bins and will be turned into compost.”

A permit is required for each brown bin presented containing garden waste. Bins without a valid 2023 permit will not be emptied. Customers are asked to present their brown bin by 7am on their regular recycling collection day during the garden waste collection season.

Howwood Wildlife & Woodlands Group

In February HWW held its first meeting of the year in the Boarding House opposite the Rhombus Garden. Those present were advised of the grant received by the group and a breakdown was given of the items claimed in the original submission. The list included: Garden tools, Strimmer, Battery Leaf Blower, etc.; Tree Survey, trimming, etc.; Fence Planters & Containers; Metal Shed for tools and equipment storage; Seeds, plants & fruit trees.

It was agreed that, in addition to the plans for additional tubs to replace the troughs on the fence at the Triangle, additional focus should be given to the introduction of “wildlife” to the Rhombus. Members of the group will look at the introduction of more plants and shrubs to attract birds, bees, butterflies and insects in addition to possibly providing nesting boxes and “bug boxes”. It is also intended to apply for additional funding to replace Noticeboards and provide additional signage. Plans to purchase additional daffodil bulbs to be planted in other areas of the village, as previously discussed, will also be pursued.

Additional volunteers will be made very welcome - if you are interested, please contact: Bill David (Chair) at -bill@billdavid.co.uk

RSPB Lochwinnoch

Spring is in the air at the reserve! Did you know that the 1st March is officially the first day of Spring? The days are getting longer and the mornings lighter. The lengthening daylight switches the male birds into breeding mode, meaning if you take a wee walk along the woodland trails early morning, they will be full of beautiful bird song. If you have visited the reserve recently, you will have seen the woodlands covered by lovely snowdrops; these are an essential source of food for emerging bees. Queen bumblebees will soon be taking to the air and searching for suitable nest sites of their own

There is lots to see at the reserve at this time of year, our winter migrants, wigeon, goosander, teal, goldeneye and whooper swans are still with us, but will soon be starting their northward journey home.

As we say goodbye to those species, we will be welcoming our new Spring visitors, such as house and sand martin, swallow, chiffchaffs and willow warbler.

We have continued our work around the fen pool. This project is intended to benefit the wildlife, but will also enhance viewing of the wildlife on the reserve and has been funded by the Government’s Nature Restoration Fund.

We will also be running some events in March. Our Astronomy Evening is on 10th March, please book early as this is a very popular event. We also have an Open Day in March; further details will go up on social media. Not forgetting our younger visitors, our Super Spotter Scavenger Hunt will be on for the whole of March.

Our reserve shop continues to sell all your birding requirements, fancy goods, binoculars and scopes.

We look forward to your visit, where our friendly staff and volunteers will give you a warm welcome. For further info please contact us: – 01505 842663 or email us on lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk we are also on Facebook @RSPBLochwinnochNR and twitter @RSPBLochwinnoch

Spring Super Spotter Scavenger Hunt

1st March to 31st March - 9.30am - 4pm

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF £3 per pack

Explore the woodland trail and see how many items you can find on the Spectacular Spring Scavenger Hunt with your family!

Are you a super wildlife spotter? Do you have the skills to find the hidden items along our trail and spot the actual wildlife as well? Pop into the visitor centre to collect your goodie bag and take part in this fun challenge!

Paisley Natural History Society Illustrated Talks

Thursday 2nd March - 7.30pm - 9.30pm

RSPB Lochwinnoch Past, Present and Future - Dan Snowdon, RSPB Lochwinnoch

The Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley PA1 2DB

This is a free event

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.

Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society

Gardeners are now discovering the extent of winter damage to their plants. If one is a ‘gonner’ heading for the brown compost bin - shake off any loose compost first of all. Twigs and fibrous roots take time to decompose, so be selective when it comes to what you put in your home compost, unless you enjoy riddling these out later!

This is when pot-planted bulbs can also be temporary border fillers. Turn over the soil in and around the area and feed it with slow-release Fish, Blood & Bone in readiness for your replacement. Dig a hole deep enough for the container, place the pot into this, cover with soil and no-one will know these were not been part of your planting plan! In due course, dig out the container and hey presto - a ready-made hole for your replacement.

We are meeting on Thursday 9th March in Freeland Church Hall at 8pm and will include the Presentation of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Recognition Award which is for “outstanding support of a Society or local community”. This will be awarded to Clare Kennedy, our former Chair, for her commitment to horticulture and gardening and her steadfast support of our Society before, during and after Covid. We will also have a practical demonstration on germination, entitled “Sow, Grow and Show” (hopefully, at our Garden Festival and with support from BOW’s Primary ELCC!). This will be both a hands-on and Q&A session. There’s bound to be a lot of catching up to do after the winter, so come along! As always, guests are welcome.

Finally, a picture of a little crocus thrusting through a fallen leaf. The tenacity of the bulb has won through, but it is better to remove leaves so soggy ones don’t spoil the bulb underneath.

Kilbarchan Smile

Spring has hopefully arrived at last and we at Kibarchan Smile are looking forward to a busy few months as we recover from the long wet winter.

Last year we were delighted to have been awarded an amazing Level 5 – OUTSTANDING Certificate from Keep Scotland Beautiful’s It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative. Along with the Royal Horticultural Society they offer support and encouragement to volunteer groups throughout the country, promoting community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement.

The group achieved this outstanding award by continuing to maintain various garden areas in the village, litter pick, tree planting at Callochant Farm, improvement of the Gateway Community Garden and of course Mary Barbour planters and commemorative plaque.

We are always on the lookout for new volunteers and we have ambitious plans for the coming year. We are on Facebook or you can email us on: hello@kilbarchansmile. co.uk for more information and any suggestions.

In conjunction with Team Up to Clean Up and Keep Scotland Beautiful we are planning The Big Spring Clean on Sunday 26th March from 2pm - 4pm. We will meet in the carpark opposite the Bog Park and all litter picking equipment will be provided.

We are hoping for an amazing turnout of volunteers and hope the sun shines for us. It is usually a fun day out for all the family and encourages the kids to be more engaged with their environment, so why not mark it in your diary and we’ll be delighted to see you there.

Locherwood and Ladymuir Community Woodland

If you go down to the woods today…..You’ll hopefully notice some improvements. Local environmental charity Eadha Enterprises has been undertaking some work in this popular woodland as part of its “Rewilding Woodlands” project funded in part by global rewilding charity Mossy Earth (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=KQzIieWiGVw). This has included removing all plastic tree tubes and guards which have been left on for far too long. These tubes are not biodegradable, only photo degrading and breaking up into micro plastics. They are designed to split along a perforation when the girth of the trunk fills the tube, but often this doesn’t happen, constricting the tree’s growth and trapping dampness causing rot. Most of the bulk bags of waste tubes have now been collected for recycling by Solway Recycling. The tubes will be washed, chipped and made into new plastic products. Eadha has also been working to improve the structure and biodiversity of the woodland. These trees were originally planted on pasture land and typical of many plantations, lacks the complex structure of semi-natural woodlands including an understory layer with shrubs and ground flora. So they have been planting native woodland wildflowers beneath the maturing trees and sowing seed of species like Scottish Bluebell. This seed has been carefully sourced from pure populations within local ancient woodland such as Parkhill Woods. Hybridisation is one of the biggest threats facing our beautiful native bluebell, crossing with the introduced Spanish bluebell often found planted in gardens. They have grown many of the wildflower plants in their nursery near Bishopton from locally collected seed and cuttings including for example Dog’s Mercury, Yellow Pimpernel, Moschatel, Wood Sorrel and Red Campion. Other species have been bought from reputable Scottish nurseries for example, Wood Avens, Hairy Woodrush. They’ve even translocated some orchids rescued from a construction site. Walkers have probably also noticed the sad demise of many of the planted ash trees which have been affected by the disease Chalara or ash dieback. Ash makes up a sizable component of the woodland and its loss will make a big impact. To try to mitigate this, Eadha has been planting aspen trees in and around blocks of ash. There is no current aspen in the woodland so this will enhance the specie mix. Aspen is a tree of high biodiversity value being rare in Southern Scotland (until Eadha came along!) It supports similar species to ash and is therefore seen as a suitable replacement. Another new tree species being planted is Eared Willow (Salix aurita) which is a scrubby upland willow favouring acid soils. Again a local rarity, cuttings from one of the only local populations near Gryfe Reservoir have been planted in the higher parts of the site. Look out for lots of small green spiral guards protecting these newly planted trees. This is a new biodegradable product we are trialling. So neither the guards nor supporting cane will need to be removed. Hopefully this work will enhance any walk around the woods and our work will be ongoing to make these woods a valuable local wildlife habitat as well as attractive place to visit. We have had the grateful help of many volunteers in this work including many residents of Renfrewshire who are keen to help improve the local environment and address the biodiversity emergency, as well as some local corporate groups including Hewlett Packard Enterprises and Thermofisher.

Peter Livingstone: peter@eadha.co.uk | 07968 745197 | www.eadha.co.uk |

Kilmacolm Plant Sale

Outside Kilmacolm Library, Kilmacolm PA13 4LE | Saturday 22nd April, 10am - 12noon

Admission by donation. Nominated charity: Pancreatic Cancer Scotland 60%.

The plant sale will be held at the Cross outside the Library and Cargill Centre in the middle of Kilmacolm. Accessible by McGill’s buses.

Brighter Bridge Of Weir - Is it spring yet? Take your pick

For meteorologists it’s March 1st. For astronomers, it varies by a couple of days from year to year. This year it’s March 20th (at 9.24pm - the vernal equinox.)

For phenologists, around March 10th this year, but it also varies depending on when (and where) certain plants begin to appear. Also, phenology has 10 seasons, so it’s quite complicated.

For Brighter Bridge of Weir’s volunteers, it’s when we can get out without risking frostbite - as the early blooms are beginning to appear, so are we. We’ll be paying particular attention to how the newly configured Woodland Garden takes shape, and how the thousands of bulbs around the village perform, too. It is always interesting to watch how such things develop because with the work that we do meteorology, astronomy and phenology all have an impact.

Whatever you believe, have a happy new season!

If you’d like to help us with our work, please contact us through Facebook, our website www.brighterbridgeofweir.org, email info@brighterbridgeofweir.org, or call Neil on 01505 613043, or Dougie on 07810 722 806.

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society

The trial presentations of informal afternoon Garden Talks held in January and February have been very well attended, we thank you all for the support and appreciation shown to the K.H.S.

The March lecture returns to its evening slot, at 7pm on Wednesday15th March, in the Community Centre, Kilmacolm and features the “Gardens and Plants of New Zealand”, with our good friend David Menzies. David has lectured previously on his specialist subject Orchids, but his second passion is New Zealand, so expect some stunning photographs and interesting stories.

The Spring Bulb competition for the award of the Jimmy Whittet trophy will be judged following the talk, so bring along your exhibits - daffs, tulips, hyacinths, primulas etc, and pick up the coveted trophy. Also featured this year will be the Best Amazing Amaryllis exhibit, for a special prize. We look forward to a dramatic display. Tea and coffee served, everyone is most welcome.

April is a busy month: firstly for the last evening lecture on 19th April - subject ROSES. On 29th April we hope you will join us for a pre-celebration of the crowning of King Charles, with a royal theme to the Coffee Morning, serving sparkling refreshments, royal raffles prizes, special guests... Plus the opportunity to purchase top quality plants at the KHS 2023 Plant Sale. See our website for details - www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com

Rotary Gryffe Valley

Speakers

February speakers: 1st - Sandy Gibb Stuart regaled us with tales of his grandfather in World War 1 and as an air raid warden in WW2, Mike Farley giving an update on the Gryffe Valley Way on the 15th on the 22nd - Lesley King - Reporter to the Children’s Panel, Paisley. Future March

Meetings: 1st – Sharon Gemmel speaking about ‘ Parklea Branching Out’ the horticultural Centre in Port Glasgow and on the 8th – ‘Blazing Paddles -Life in a Kayak’ by member Hugh Kerr, Hamid Khatib speaking on 15th and on the 22nd a Business meeting.

If interested in Rotary come along and find out who we are and what we do e-mail gryffevalleyrotary@ gmail.com to arrange your attendance.

District Young Chef Final - Congratulations Lucy!

As the winner of our Club’s Young Chef competition Lucy D. from Gryffe High School represented us at the District 1230 Young Chef Final held in South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride on 1st February. Competing against other young chefs from the West of Scotland, Lucy prepared a three course meal for two, starting with Pea and Ham Soup then Sweet and Sour Tofu with Basmati Rice and finishing with a Date and Walnut Sticky Toffee Pudding …. all in two hours.

Her work was Highly Commended by the District judges, earning her a place in the next stage of the competition to be held in Perth in March.

Well done Lucy and good luck in Perth!

Gryffe Valley Way

Our next activity is to improve part of the paths at Crosslee Wood and the Mill Lade between Bridge of Weir and Crosslee, individuals or organisations willing to help in a work party in March would be welcomed. Please email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com

District Youth Speaks Final

We were represented in the District Youth Speaks Final for the Intermediate age category by our team from St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm. Although they did not win one of the top two places which lead to the next stage of the competition Cameron, Oliver and Oliver performed very well. With confidence and a degree of good humour, chaired by Cameron the two Olivers presented well prepared arguments for and against the proposal that scrum caps should be compulsory in amateur rugby.

As the youngest team they can be very proud of their contribution to the event - well done boys!

sales & wants

ITEMS FOR SALE

H OUSEHOLD & G ARDEN

Cool box and three freezer

• blocks. £15. Tel: 07720

830071.

The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977

The

MUST

appropriate

• filters for lens for cameras, stepping rings, filter holders and lead lined pouch. £20. Tel: 07763 466490.

Large collection approx 30

Pick

up a copy:

BRIDGE OF WEIR

• Gibb Stuart

T ECHNICAL & G AMES

• Bernie’s

• Anderson’s Bakery

8 square metres (4 x 2metres)

• Artificial Grass. Can deliver locally - £40 if collected, £50 if delivery required. Tel: 07415 790051.

Vintage Seashell Shaped

• Fireplace Screen Fan. £95. Tel: 07307 170949 / 01505 874337.

A beautiful king size pure Oak

• Bed. With an iron design on each end. £299. Tel: 01505 872813.

John Lewis Bronze Curtain rail

• extends to 9’6”. All rings and brackets available. £75. Tel: 01505 872813.

Wood Cheval Mirror with

• drawer, beautiful condition. £25. Tel: 01505 872813.

E LECTRICAL & G AS

43inch HISENSE TV. Purchased

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A brilliant Jiffy clothes steamer

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O THER I TEMS

Private collection of Vinyl

• Jazz LPs: Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and many more. Offers for all (70+) or part considered. Tel: 07525 377920.

Echo Dot Smart Speaker (with

• Alexa), 5th generation (2022). Unopened gift. Charcoal grey. RRP £54, sell £30. Tel: 01505 612769.

WANTED ITEMS

• Co-op

HOUSTON

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• Newsagent

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KILMACOLM

Name:

Email: Tel: Mob:

Netball hoop and stand.

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• Co-op

• Newsagent

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HOWWOOD

• Liverpool shirts in Large or XL size! Happy to come to collect with cash! Tel: 07983 531321.

Looking to buy any Celtic or

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KILBARCHAN

• Bobbins

• Old Library Centre

LOCHWINNOCH

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

Local lily grower requires

• Castle Semple

• La Dolce Vita

• Key Store

Cash paid for Vinyl Records

• and Music CDs (a few or a lot).

Tel: 01505 329638 or 07765 115347.

Old records Wanted 45`s &

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

Deadline Dates

335 April

Wednesday 15th March

336 May

Wednesday 12th April

337 June

Wednesday 17th May

338 July

Wednesday 14th June

For Sale g Wanted g Free g

339 August

Wednesday 12th July

340 September

Wednesday 16th August

341 October

Wednesday 13th September

342 November

Wednesday 11th October

343 December

Wednesday 8th November

344 January 2024

Wednesday 6th December

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