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.