336 May 2023 - Gryffe Advertizer

Next Deadline

#337 June 2023: Wednesday 17th May

Upcoming deadlines:

#338 jULY 2023: 14th jUNE

#339 AUGUST 2023: 12th July

Contact us:

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

GryffeAds

GryffeAds

GryffeAdvertizer

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

This Month Birds and Bees...

Don’t cut the hedge or your grass too soon. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators have started to appear in the warmer weather and they would benefit from the wild flowers growing for a little bit longer.

The local community groups have all been very busy tidying up our villages for spring, so a huge thank you to everyone involved! They are always open to extra helpers, so if you would like to lend a hand, please get in touch with them.

This month is the return of the Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Show in its 188th year on the 13th May! Schedules are available online at www.kilmacolmshow.org and also in shops around Kilmacolm. It’s sure to be a fantastic day out for the whole family!

Another event happening this month is the Houston and Killellan Kirk Carnival also on the 13th May. More details of this are on page 18 of the magazine.

There are more great shows to come! Lilias Day in Kilbarchan, the Houston Agricultural Show, Bridge of Weir Gala Day, Lochwinnoch Gala Day, and the Howwood Village Fete just to name a few. There is a list of upcoming show dates in our Events section on page 15, and also more details of some of them in our Villages section. May and June look like they’re going to be a couple of very fun months!

The deadline date for our next issue, the June magazine, is Wednesday 17th May. Please ensure that you send your information in by this date so that it is included.

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

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“Highland Cow”

Image courtesy of Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Show

After our most successful year ever we’re back again as we celebrate all things creative.

This year we are hoping to bring together the best local and national artists to celebrate all forms of art and creativity from the canvas to sculptures, we will have a little something for everyone. Pop along to this free event.

Lochwinnoch Art Festival’s Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton Trio

Friday 9th June at Lochwinnoch Golf Club Doors 7pm, show starts 7.30pm - Tickets £12 Ross and Ali have a long history of mutual musical roots, both being founding members of the award-winning powerhouse Treacherous Orchestra. Ross and Ali’s live performances deliver music with an energy and passion that can only come with a shared and rich musical history - the music they create is both exciting and beguiling with an undeniable synergy that can only be forged from a lifetime of friendship. Ross Ainslie is one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and composers, playing pipes, whistles and cittern. He is renowned for his highly acclaimed solo material and as a skilled performer and prolific collaborator. Ali Hutton is a hugely successful multi-instrumentalist and producer on the Scottish music scene, having performed and worked alongside some of the most respected musicians and bands on the scene today. The trio is completed by multi-instrumentalist and singer, Jenn Butterworth.

Tickets available at Shop at Number 8 or online at: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/ross-ainslie-ali-hutton-lochwinnoch-tickets-588187884797 www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk

Dinomania is bigger than ever with more dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures than ever.

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June at 11am & 2pm in Johnstone Community Sports Hub, Beith Road, Johnstone PA5 0JA. Join Ranger Chris, who was a semi finalist on BGT this year, with his amazing herd of dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. Watch in amazement as the dinosaurs walk amongst the audience. Get up close and personal with lots of baby dinosaurs. Maybe you will get lucky and get to feed our long neck Armargasaurus or are you brave enough to touch a huge T.Rex. Also take a look and learn about fossils with the UK’s largest map old dinosaur museum - all included in the £15 ticket price. Educational and fun for all the family. We recommend ages 2-102.

Come along to this family friendly event which has something for everyone ranging from street food, continental food, live music, kids entertainment, deserts, bars and so much more!

We are also looking for vendors wanting to take part in our event so to contact admin@shsevents.co.uk for more details.

Erskine Motorbike Meet Sunday 28th May

1pm - 5pm @ Erskine Home, Bishopton PA7 5PU £5 per bike / £3 per person / Kids go free!

Now in its 17th year, the Erskine Motorbike Meet has become one of the highlights of Erskine’s events calendar. Each year we welcome over 1,000 motorbikes, trikes and scooters to the estate for a fun family day packed with family entertainment, live music, market, street food, and more!

If you would like to support The Erskine Motorbike Meet, there are various ways you can get involved, from sponsorship at the event, gifts-in-kind or the donation of a prize for the raffle. To discuss further, please contact us on 0141 814 4555 or events@erskine.org.uk

Glasgow Phoenix Choir

The Glasgow Phoenix Choir will be performing a concert on Saturday May 13th in Paisley Abbey in aid of ACCORD. We are very fortunate once again to be the hosts of the Glasgow Phoenix Choir and as always look forward to their fantastic repetoire of musical highlights!

A little more about the Glasgow Phoenix Choir - they are one the foremost and longest established choral groups in the UK, with an approximate singing group of 120 members - ranging from teenagers to octogenarians. They have a library of over 1,000 titles and 30 albums recorded. We are sure there will be songs for everyone to enjoy. Thank you so much to the Glasgow Phoenix Choir for once again supporting the Hospice!

It is sure be a night filled with musical magic and lots of amazing fundraising for the patients and families in care of the Hospice. For tickets (£15) please call 0141 581 2000.

Sma’ Shot Cottages 1st April - 30th September

Wednesdays & Saturdays 12pm - 4pm | Fridays 1pm - 5pm

On entering from Shuttle Street, visitors immediately step back into the 18th century into the typical weaver’s cottage which was originally built in the 1750s.

The cottage has been matched to written descriptions in histories of the town and has only been altered slightly from original dimensions in the 19th century.

On crossing the yard, you will visit a small row of three cottages, dated 70 years ahead in the 1820s-1840s, where you can immerse yourself in history as you experience life as a weaver in this historical town during the 19th century.

Come along and join us in our tea room, where we serve beverages and homemade goods and share stories of the past.

Owned and run by the Old Paisley Society, a registered charity. Admission is free, however, all donations towards the upkeep of the cottages are gratefully accepted.

The Arkleston Singers Annual Concert

Friday 19th May at 7.30pm

Paisley South Church, 123 Rowan Street, Paisley PA2 6RZ

A selection of songs in a variety of styles scanning five centuries. Madrigals, Motets and Medleys: Popular, Classical and Modern.

Programme:

• Durante (Pergolesi): Magnificat

• A Celtic Blessing: Will Todd

• Schindler’s List Choral Selections: John Williams

• Three Irish Poems: Ken Johnston

• Sure, on this Shining Night: Morten Lauridsen

• You Little Stars that Live in Skies: George Swann

• The White Island: George Swann - World Premiere

• The Pirates of Penzance choral medley: Gilbert & Sullivan

Tickets £10, students £5, available at the door or call 07398 102607 or online at http://www.wegottickets.com

Scottish Huntington’s Association

Join Scottish Huntington’s Association’s supporters from across Scotland in George Square, Glasgow on Sunday 14th May (check in at 11.30am) for our 100 song sponsored dance challenge: Dance 100!

We need YOU to help us make Dance 100 BIGGER and BETTER than anything we’ve done before! By taking part YOU will meet other families, YOU will increase awareness about the disease and YOU will raise funds to provide the vital services that Huntington’s families rely upon. Getting involved is easy. Once you’ve registered through our Eventbrite form, follow the link in the automated email you receive to set up your online JustGiving page and download your digital welcome pack. Someone from our fundraising team will be in touch to support you with your fundraising, on the day and after you’ve left the dance floor. Please note: There is no minimum sponsorship for this event. Just raise as much as you can to help families impacted by Huntington’s disease. Join us and be part of the largest gathering of Huntington’s families and supporters the city has ever seen.

Windy Hill Art Club Inaugural Exhibition

Local History

Saturday

3rd June, 10am until 2pm @ Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm

Windy Hill Art Club is pleased to announce its forthcoming first exhibition. Based in Kilmacolm this club has become a regular feature of village life over the past few months and it is that special bond with the community that will be celebrated in this unique art display. There will be over 100 pieces of artwork of different media on display.

One corner of the show is bound to be familiar as you will see pictures of our local businesses recreated in acrylic paint for the “Village Still Life” section. Projects such as lino printing, impasto acrylic and floral art have also kept us busy. There is a mystery picture to which every member has contributed. It will be revealed at the exhibition.

As part of our calendar this year we were delighted to welcome renowned local artists to demonstrate their amazing skills to the club and a wider village audience. These artists have agreed to exhibit alongside our members for this exciting event, a unique feature of this show and a fantastic opportunity for the village.

It promises to be diverse and exciting, something for everyone. Most of the works will be for sale and there will be a raffle for charity. We may even inspire you to join us! So we hope to see you there and hear your feedback on our first exhibition.

Johnstone History Society

Our final meeting of this session will be on May 9th in the Masonic Hall, Collier Street at 7.30pm. The last speaker will be Rosalind Holmes and her subject is “A Hundred Years of a Family’s Life in China“. This sounds like a very interesting topic. As this is our last meeting we look forward to a good attendance of members and visitors.

Despite it being a very wet night our April meeting was very well attended and I think we all learned things about Charles Rennie Macintosh we did not know. The raffle raised £61 for the Society funds and we would like to thanks all who donated prizes.

The Museum will continue to open as usual Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm till 4pm throughout the summer months. We have a large selection of books maps and pamphlets which can also be purchased online and paid via PayPal. If you make a purchase in the Museum it can now be paid with ease as we have a fully functioning card machine.

Neilston Agricultural Show

Saturday 6th May - 8am - 4.30pm

Neilston Showfield, Uplawmoor Road, Holehouse, Neilston G78 3LE

Adults £6, Children & Seniors £3, Family (2+2) £15, Parking £3

The first Neilston Show took place in 1825, to exhibit the traditional livestock and produce from around Neilston. After the honour of receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at our last show, this year we coincide with the King’s Coronation, and you may notice a slight theme around the show to commemorate the day.

Our Educational Dome tent has grown again this year with new exciting exhibits, including a new crook making competition, displaying fantastic craftsmanship.

There are a full range of Field to Fork displays, with over 30 exhibitors in the tent, from Ayrshire Bees to Shetland Ponies, and the ever popular Sheep Shearing, a great chance to see a farming skill which cannot be done by machine.

The Educational Dome is a free attraction for youngsters of all ages to enjoy the exhibitions. The Main Ring hosts the judging of Cattle, Sheep and Clydesdale Horses.

The Light Horse area has competitions for a range of equine types, with levels of showjumping to test competitors of all ages. We all hope for a dry day to attract a good number of high quality competitors throughout the show.

We have a new Kids craft tent this year to offer something for younger children at no cost. From face painting, colouring in and Mr B Loon, a balloon modeler.

Take a look in the Craft and Homecraft tents which display the talents of local people. You will be impressed by the quality of the items on display and for sale.

In the afternoon, Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor schools compete in Relay Races Races and Tug o War competitions, vocally supported by their school friends and families. Join in the fun and support your local school team.

Our Main Ring attraction will be something new for 2023, a Quad & Motorbike stunt display by Dangerous Steve, involving chainsaws and giant unicycles. We also have new layout of catering vans, and a covered seated area for visitors to have a break and enjoy the show, while having lunch or a coffee.

Coming Events in May

Monday 1st - Wednesday 31st

RSPB Safari Challenge

Largs Road, Lochwinnoch

9.30am to 4pm

Can you hunt down all species on your safari hunter’s guidebook? Follow the trail to find pictures of them, or for extra points, try to spot real ones around the reserve! £3.

Tuesday 2 nd

Houston & Killellan Kirk

Foodbank

West Halls Main Street

Houston PA6 7EL

(next to Carrick Centre and Village Hall) 10am to 12noon & 7pm - 8pm

Donations welcome every Tuesday. Also on the 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th.

Thursday 4 th

OUTLOOK Team

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

A Pre-Coronation Special with a royal quiz, flower arranging and a raffle of special gifts. Afternoon tea refreshments.

s a Turday 6 th

Neilston Agricultural Show

Holehouse, neilston, Barrhead, East Renfrewshire G78 3LE

Open Cattle Show, Horses Show & Sheep Dog Trials - something for everyone!

s unday 7 th

Langbank Kings Coronation Party

Langbank Village Centre, Middlepenny Road, Langbank

All welcome - further info tbc

s a Turday 13 th

Paisley Highlanders 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. For further information on our monthly Ceilidhs call 07710 162087. Tickets £5.

Kilmacolm & Port

Glasgow Show

Knapps Loch, Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm From 9am

With is a range of entertainment featuring birds of prey, vintage tractors, milking, a pipe band, sheep shearing and crafters. The new Education Tent will allow you to experience and learn about animals, plants, the countryside and local heritage.

1st Bridge of Weir Scout Group’s Pie & a Pint Quiz Night

Bridge of Weir Scout Hall, Horsewood Road, Bridge of Weir PA11 3BD 7.30pm

Tickets are £5pp or £20 for a team of up to 6 people (pie included). Licensed bar. Winning team prize - Archery Lesson and £60 voucher for Bernie’s Cafe Deli. All welcome ... come and join the fun.

Glasgow Phoenix Choir

Concert for Accord Hospice

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley 7pm

it’s sure be a night filled with musical magic and lots of amazing fundraising for the patients and families in care of the Hospice. For tickets (£15) please call 0141 581 2000.

The Kilbarchan Singers May Concert

Kilbarchan Parish Church, Church Street, Kilbarchan 7.30pm to 9.30pm

“Spring, the Sweet Spring” We look forward to welcoming you for a wonderful evening of music and good company. Ticket includes refreshments. £10.

Coffee Morning - in aid of Alzheimer’s Scotland

Langbank Village Centre, Middlepenny Road, Langbank

10am to 1pm

All welcome - join us for cake/ coffee/juice a chat and activities for the kids.

Bridge

of Weir

Horticultural Society Plant Sale

The Co-operative, Bridge of Weir 10am to 12noon

We’ll be outside The Co-op with a selection of annual bedding plants from Parklea and homegrown plants. Find us there from 10am till mid-day - unless sold out!

Houston & Killellan Kirk Carnival

Houston & Killellan Kirk, 13A Kirk Road, Houston PA6 7HW 12noon to 4pm

Celebrating 100 Years of Disney. 12pm - Fancy Dress competition at Houston & Killellan Kirk. 12.30pmCarnival Parade to West Halls, Main Street, Houston. 1pm - Official opening of Carnival. 3.15pm - Last chance to buy Lucky Prize Draw programmes. 3.30pm - Lucky Prize Draw winners announced at the Carrick Stage. 4pm - Carnival closes. Come on down for a day of fun for the whole community!

saTurday 13th - sunday 14th

MS & P Kip Regatta

Kip Marina, The Yacht Harbour, inverkip, PA16 0AS

The first ‘Major’ of the Scottish racing calendar, takes to the water and welcomes on board new sponsors in the shape of inspiration Marine and Michael Schmidt & Partner. For more information email info@kipmarina.co.uk or call 01475 521485.

s unday 14 th

Bridge of Weir Choral Society Spring Concert

The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, Kilmacolm 7pm

The choir and professional soloists will perform Mozart’s Requiem, with organ accompaniment. Tickets £10 from any choir member, or on the door.

Gourock Highland Games

Battery Park, Eldon Street, Greenock PA16 7QG 12noon

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

RSPB Birding & Birdsong for Beginners

Largs Road, Lochwinnoch

10am

Learn more about common birds and their song and pick up tips on wildlife watching techniques. Gain advice on how to use binoculars and scopes and how to choose printed resources to help you confidently identify wildlife. Online booking essential. From £10.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden

HiGHWOOD by Kilmacolm, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 2pm to 5pm

Directions: Take the B786 Lochwinnoch road out of Kilmacolm and continue for approximately two miles. From Lochwinnoch take the B786 Kilmacolm road for approximately six miles. Then follow the yellow SGS signs. £5, children free.

Dance 100 for Scottish

Huntington’s Association

George Square, Glasgow

Join us for our 100 song sponsored dance challenge: Dance 100! There is no minimum sponsorship for this event. Just raise as much as you can to help families impacted by Huntington’s disease. Be part of the largest gathering of Huntington’s families and supporters the city has ever seen.

Farmers Markets

this month

saturday 6th

Kilmacolm

Kilmacolm Community Centre

10am to 2pm

1st Saturday of the month

F /kilmacolmfarmersmarket

sunday 14th

Renfrew

Robertson Park

10am to 4pm

2nd Sunday of the month

F /RenfrewMarket

saturday 13th & 27th

Paisley

The Paisley Centre

10am to 2pm

F /pages/Paisley-FarmersMarket/207097172654332

saturday 21st

Bishopton & Dargavel

Bishopton Train Station Car Park

10am to 2pm

3rd Saturday of the month

F /The-BishoptonDargavel-Farmers-Market109902924512969

saturday 27th

Gourock

Gourock Train Station Car Park 10am to 2pm

Last Saturday of the month

F /The-Gourock-FarmersMarket-112064558070104

sat 27th & sun 28th

Barnhill Farm

Houston Road, Inchinnan 10am to 4pm

Last Weekend of the month

F /BarnhillAsparagus

sunday 28th

Erskine

Erskine Waterfront 10am to 4pm

Last Sunday of the month

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s unday 14 th - s a T urday 20 th

Houston & Killellan Kirk

Christian Aid Week

Houston

Volunteers will be doing door-todoor collections for Christian Aid, who are working to combat the scourge of droughts. The charity helps with water conservation projects, supplies seeds and helps communities develop small scale irrigation projects.

Wednesday 17 th

Kilbarchan Parish Church

Eco Forum

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 7.30pm

With two external speakers.: Paul O’Brien from EnVA waste management and Tom Knockolds of LOCO HOME. Tea or coffee available.

Thursday 18 th

OUTLOOK Team

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 2pm to 3.30pm Gentle keep fit with Grace, followed by a delicious afternoon tea provided by the volunteer team.

Gardeners’ Question Time

Freeland Church, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 8pm

By special request, Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society will be holding their Gardeners’ Question Time. if you have a gardening problem, come along – you don’t have to be a member to ask a question! For information, contact Donald Hepburn on 01505 612898 or follow us on Facebook.

Friday 19 th

The Arkleston Singers Annual Concert

Paisley South Church, 123 Rowan Street, Paisley PA2 6RZ

7.30pm to 9pm

A selection of songs in a variety of styles scanning five centuries. Madrigals, Motets and Medleys: Popular, Classical and Modern. Tickets £10, students £5. Available on the door or call 07398 102607 or www.wegottickets.com

s a T urday 20 th

Finlaystone WILD NIGHTS

Finlaystone Country Estate

A great way to introduce family and friends to camping in the secure woods of Finlaystone. Bookings can only be made by emailing info@finlaystone.co.uk. £18.50 adults/ £14 children (generally aged 3 or over but parents must be confident that they are able to cope with the environment and not disturb the camp site).

s unday 21 st

Gryffe Valley Rotary 10K Run

Houston Public Park, Four Windings, Houston 1pm

Route on country lanes between Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm, starting from Houston Public Park. For all abilities. Sandwiches, home baking, tea/ coffee/water in the halls. PreRegister for the event online at: https://entries.runabc.co.uk/e/ rotary-club-of-gryffe-valley-10k908

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden

WRAES, Corseliehill Road, nr Houston PA6 7HU 2pm to 5pm

Directions: From Houston follow Barochan Road towards Langbank B789 for about a mile, turn left down Corseliehill Road. From Kilmacolm leave the village on Houston Road, past the golf course, turn left down Corseliehill Road for about a mile. Follow the yellow SGS signs. £5, children free.

Wednesday 24 th

rspb Women Only

Wildlife Wander

Largs Road, Lochwinnoch

6.30pm to 8.30pm

RSPB Lochwinnoch have created an evening walk for women which will be led by female staff and volunteers who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for nature. Online booking essential. £10 - £12.50.

Friday 26 th

St Vincent’s Hospice’s Strictly Come Prancing

normandy Hotel, inchinnan Road, Renfrew PA4 9EJ

Join us to watch our wonderful couples take to the dance-floor and showcase the incredible skills they have learnt in our Strictly training sessions with our experienced choreographers. Buy your tickets online at stvincentshospice.org/ st-vincents-events or call 07904 667189 or email lesley.campbell@ svh.co.uk

s unday 28 th

Erskine Motorbike Meet

Erskine Care Home, Bishopton PA7 5PU 1pm to 5pm

if you would like to support The Erskine Motorbike Meet, there are various ways you can get involved, from sponsorship at the event, gifts-in-kind or the donation of a prize for the raffle. To discuss further, please contact us on 0141 814 4555 or events@erskine.org. uk £5 per bike, £3 per person.

Finlaystone Country e state - What’s o n

ARK ON THE CLYDE

The Ark is a not-for-profit organisation and we’re all about enhancing lives with animals and education. Come and visit our animals where we provide a real hands-on educational experience.

HOOTENANNY OWLS

Our resident falconry centre, Hootenanny Owls, is located in a purposebuilt enclosure opposite the fort. You’ll often find them and their staff wandering the estate, bird in hand!

WILD NIGHTS - 20TH MAY

Finlaystone Wild nights are a great way to introduce the family and friends to camping in the secure woods of Finlaystone.

in order for us to carry out an orderly and accurate booking process, bookings can only be made by email to info@finlaystone.co.uk

Prices are £18.50 for adults and £14 for children (generally aged 3 or over but parents must be confident that they are able to cope with the environment and not disturb the camp site).

Neilston Agricultural Show

Holehouse, Neilston 8am - 4.30pm

Stalls, educational dome, homecraft tent and obviously all your favourite farm animals on show. www. neilstonshow.co.uk for schedules and information.

saturday 13th May

Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Show

The Knapps, Kilmacolm 9am

Heavy horses, birds of prey, vintage tractors, pipe band and dancers. Schedules & applications: www. kilmacolmshow.org/

sunday 14th May

Gourock Highland Games

Battery Park 12noon (free entry)

Heavy competitors, Pipe Band competitions and Highland Dancers. Visit facebook.com/ GourockHighlandGames/

saturday 3rd June

Houston & Killellan Agricultural Society Show

Houston Playing Fields, Houston 10am - 4pm

Join us for another year of celebrating Houston’s Agricultural heritage and modern farming. Featuring and supported by local businesses. www.facebook.com/houstonshow

saturday 3rd June

Lilias Day

Kilbarchan Public Park, Lochwinnoch 1pm - 5pm

Historic parade, award-winning pipe bands, decorated floats and decorate your house. Clamjamfrie ceilidh tent and kids entertainment tent. www.liliasday.co.uk

saturday 10th June

Lochwinnoch Gala Day

Lochwinnoch Public Park, Lochwinnoch

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

saturday 10th June

Bridge of Weir Gala Day

Houston Road Park, Bridge of Weir 9am - 5pm

For further information visit facebook.com/Bridgeof-Weir-Festivals-112570363493444

saturday 17th June

Kilbarchan Agricultural Show

Roadside Field, Monkland Farm, Kilbarchan, Something for everybody to enjoy - animals, tractors, motorbikes, baking, crafts, trade stands, food and drink. - details online: www.kilbarchanshow.co.uk/

saturday 17th

June

Howwood Village Fete

Howwood Primary School 1pm - 4pm

More information to follow next month. facebook. com/events/2683149371822202/

Come along and support your local shows and have a great family day out!

WARD 9:

JOHNSTONE NORTH, KILBARCHAN, HOWWOOD & LOCHWINNOCH www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/

The Bridge

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

The benches at the top of the pathway are just the place for enjoying the sunshine while chatting to friends.

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

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

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

Pie and a Pint Quiz Night

1st Bridge of Weir Scout Group’s Pie and a Pint (or wine) Quiz Night will be held on Saturday 13th May at 7.30pm in the Scout Hall, Horsewood Road, Bridge of Weir. Tickets are £5pp or £20 for a team of up to 6 people (pie included). Licensed bar.

Winning team prizeArchery Lesson and £60 voucher for Bernie’s Cafe Deli.

All welcome - come and join the fun.

Post Office - The usual postal services are provided during opening hours. We are delighted to welcome Tracy to our team of post office staff. Tracy has been working for several weeks now and has settled in well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Bridge of Weir SWI

At our final meeting of the current session in April we enjoyed learning about nutrition from dietician Barbara Walker. Her presentation was interactive and led to plenty of discussion. We also held our mini show on the same evening. Jane Glanville won both the Muirhead and the Woodrow cups whilst the Duncan cup winner was Mabel McPherson. The first three points winners were Joyce Bennie, Alison Bannerman and Mabel McPherson. The next session begins on Thursday 7th September with a social evening.

Christian Aid Week

Sunday 14th - Saturday 20th May

“Pigeon peas”? What’s all that about?

Soaring costs are affecting people here and around the world. Families in Malawi are paying the price of this global crisis. Food, fuel, fertiliser and school fees have doubled in price in the last 12 months. Not so much a cost-of-living crisis, more a how-to-stay-alive crisis.

For more than 75 years Christian Aid has been helping the poorest communities in the world by providing practical support and campaigning for justice. It supports people of all faiths and none.

Thanks to the support of people like you, Christian Aid is helping mothers like Jen and Ester not only grow a nutritious drought-resistant crop of “pigeon pea” but also receive a fair price for the crop through Christian Aid’s local partner, the Nandolo Farmers Association, and run community bakeries making pigeon pea flour bread which can be sold to boost their income still further.

This is just one of the hundreds of projects supported by Christian Aid to help poor families have a brighter future.

Over the years, Bridge of Weir residents have been tremendously supportive of Christian Aid, please be as supportive as you can again this year. We hope to do a limited house-to-house collection with the traditional red-envelope, but if you don’t get an envelope delivered to you, please make an online donation using our dedicated Bridge of Weir “e-envelope”: https://envelope.christianaid. org.uk/bridge-of-weir or just scan this QR code to go straight to the envelope Thank you

Bridge of Weir Christian Aid Group

(4 Churches Together – St Machar’s Ranfurly, Freeland, St Mary’s and Hope Hall)

(For more information about Christian Aid visit: www.christianaid.org.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)

T 07850 407442

F Johnstone Tora-Kai Karate

Monday 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Zumba®:

E gems_paisley@hotmail.com

Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Ballroom/Latin:

New members welcome. Private lessons available.

T Stewart 07710 464 969

E ballroombasics@live.co.uk

Thurs 7pm - 8pm (Beginners)

Thurs 8pm - 9pm (Intermediate)

Sat 11am - 12.30pm (Mixed Ability)

Sun 11am-12.30pm (MixedAbility)

Yogabellies:

Suitable for all levels of experience!

E 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:

E suzanne@balletanddanceacademy.co.uk

Friday 3.15pm - 4pm (pre school) 4pm - 5pm (P1 -P3) 5pm - 6.30pm (P4 - S2)

DDP Yoga:

Fullbodyworkouttoimproveflexibility, strength, balance & cardio fitness.

T Laura 07474 443505

E energisewithlaura@gmail.com

Monday 6.15pm - 7.15pm

Councillor Surgeries (Village Hall Library)

Audrey Doig - 11th @ 6.30pm - 7pm

Robert Innes - 16th @ 6pm - 6.30pm

AlisonAnn-Dowling-19th@10.30am-11am

ART CLUB SHOW & SALE

Sunday 30th April - 12 noon - 4.30pm

Admission £1 | Afternoon Tea £3

All welcome

11 cllr james maclaren

It is amazing how things can change. Just this week I was helping Bonnie Bishopton to dig over a flower bed with volunteers. I was given the compliment of being a “hands-on” councillor, and I am happy to lend a hand to make improvements. It doesn’t take that many people to make a difference. We are seeing wonderful work from Brighter Bridge of Weir and Bonnie Bishopton, to name just two voluntary groups. I am always happy to help get a group get started. Talking of Bonnie Bishopton, they are looking for your surplus plant and vegetable seeds to plant up for a future stall to raise funds. Volunteers love to get some recognition so please remember to show your appreciation when you see them. A number of people have expressed to me how annoying noisy car exhausts can be, often frightening their pets, so I am preparing a motion to Full Council to try to bring about some control and policing of this. Also, recently we have seen a number of street lights that have been off for months and I am working on a motion to try to speed up their repair where the fault lies with Scottish Power’s network.

As the weather warms up, we are going to see more people on our rural roads walking, cycling, and riding. The Highway Code recently brought in some changes and I wonder just how many of us know about these changes. As one policeman recently said, “Speed limits are put in place for a reason – and it is exactly that, a limit – not a target.” Please take care.

Petitions can be a useful way of bringing about change. Recently a campaign was launched to do something about speeding on Kilmacolm Road in Bridge of Weir and we are now expecting a speed camera. Another petition will see some traffic calming on Kilbarchan Road, again, to control speed. I can provide information on raising a petition.

Surgeries: 6.30pm to 7pm: Langbank Church

- 1st Monday of the month; Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir – 2nd Monday of the month; Bishopton Community Centre – 3rd Monday of the month.

Gryffe Valley Rotary

Speakers

In April - 5th: Caroline Irvine from Alzheimer Scotland spoke on “Dementia”. 12th: Sai Kumar on “Growing up in India” and on 19th: Jamie Scott from Thrive, Bridge of Weir, on “Health and Wellbeing”. The month’s meetings ended with a Business Meeting on 26th.

In May - 3rd: “Vikings in America” a talk by Victoria Finnigan; on 10th: “New Paisley Museum” a talk by Les King; 17th: a talk by a guest of Matt McElroy, 24th: a guest of James MacLaren and on 31st: our AGM and Annual Review. The club will be represented at the Kilmacolm Show on 13th May and at the Houston Show on 3rd June. The Traditional Jazz Evening on 10th June in Brookfield is nearly sold out.

If interested in Rotary, why not come along and find out who we are and what we do. Please e-mail gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com to arrange your attendance.

Gryffe Valley Way

Information boards have been erected alongside the walking route:

• at the end of the viaduct at Bridge of Weir,

• on the Mill Lade path,

• at the entrance to Crosslee playpark and

• adjacent to the Ardgryffe footbridge at Craigends.

A booklet has been published with maps, descriptions of the route (West to East and East to West), information about interesting places on the way, plus refreshment hubs, bus stops, and car parking. The booklet can be purchased (£3) at the businesses which have supported the project, namely Ardgowan Fisheries Café, Carriages, Gibb Stuart, Bernies Café and Deli, Affluent Financial Planning, The River Inn and the On-X Sports Centre and Café.

Our next activity is to improve some 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 next month would be welcomed. Please email gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com

10k Run on Sunday 21st May

We encourage people of all abilities to enter, from walkers to elite runners. Finishing times usually range between 35 mins and 2 hours, as the route follows picturesque country lanes between Houston and Bridge of Weir. To be sure you have plenty of support, why not sign up with a group of friends? That way you can train and take part together, and perhaps seek sponsorship for your team in aid of CHAS or your favourite charity - like several teams entering from Bridge of Weir Leather.

Glasgow Chamber Orchestra Houston Concert

Presents ‘Music for a Summer’s Evening’. An evening of relaxing chamber music performed by members and friends of the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra (amateur orchestra) on Sunday 4th June at 7.30pm in Houston & Killellan Kirk, 13a Kirk Road, Houston. Tickets £5 (at the door) supporting the work of Mwandi Baby Milk Project.

We are grateful to Bridge of Weir Leather and WH Malcolm for providing sponsorship. This year there will also be an informal Fun Run (2K) for kids at 12.30pm in Houston Park. Preparations are well underway, including the planning of the homebaking for afterwards!

H.O.S.T

The Carrick Centre, Houston Houston & Killellan Kirk Carnival

Coffee Shop: CLOSED due to renovations - 01505 229597

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

Dance West Scotland: enquiries@dancewestscotland.co.uk

MONDAY

Diaporama 8th @ 7.30pm

TUESDAY

Yoga - Laura Jane Lawson 7pm DWL 4pm Hazel Connelly Art Class 2nd, 16th, 23rd, 30th @ 1.15pm

WEDNESDAY

Moo Music 9.45am

Camera Club 3rd, 10th, 17th @ 7.30pm

Cllr Audrey Doig 17th @ 7pm

Hillfoot & Hillside Res.

Assoc. AGM 31st @ 7.30pm

THURSDAY

Gryffe Quilting Group 4th & 18th @ 10am 11th & 25th @ 1pm

Crafty Friends 4th & 18th @ 7.30pm

Folk Club 8pm

Move It or Lose It 4th, 8th & 25th @ 10.30am

DWL 4pm & 5.30pm

Cllr Audrey Doig 25th @ 7.15pm

FRIDAY

DWL MH 5th, 19th, 26th @ 3.30pm

DW (extra) 5th, 19th, 26th @ 1.45pm - 2.30pm

Yoga - Laura Jane Lawson 10.30am

Cllr Dowling Surgery 19th @ 11.15am

Natalie Don MSP 5th @ 12.30pm

Gavin Newlands MP 12th @ 12.30pm

Kirk Carnival 12th @ 4pm - 8pm

SATURDAY

DWL MH 6th, 20th, 27th @ 9.30am

Cllr Robert Innes 20th @ 11am

Kirk Carnival 13th - All Day

SUNDAY

Baptist Church 11am & 6pm

Centre Patrons PLEASE ADVISE date or time changes due to holidays to Centre Management

Booking enquiries:

T Bill Haddow 01505 690693

T Stewart Scally 01505 674277

T John McDougall 07735 473645

E thecarrickcentre@gmail.com

E hostbookings@outlook.com

This year’s Houston & Killellan Kirk Carnival theme is Celebrating 100 Years of Disney, so dust off those Mickey Mouse ears and come on down for a day of fun for the whole community!

Saturday 13th May from 1pm - 4pm Kirk Road, Houston

Wristbands: £10 for one person / £15 for 2 people / £20 for 3 people / £25 for 4 people / £30 for 5 people

Wristbands allow unlimited use of all the sideshows and rides (including Rodeo Bull, Wipeout, Bungee Run for adults and Pirate Run, Giant Slide and Ball Pond for kids), apart from face-painting, tombolas or food and drink stalls. Other activities/entertainment includes Kids’ Colouring Competition, Tea Room with a selection of delicious home-baking, plant stall and more. Don’t forget to enter our LUCKY PRIZE DRAW for your chance to win a selection of fabulous prizes including a £100 voucher for dinner at the River Inn, a £70 voucher for dinner at Amaretto and a £40 voucher for Houston Hair Salon. We can’t wait to welcome you!

12noon: Fancy Dress Competition at Houston & Killellan Kirk

12.30pm: Parade to the West Halls, led by 1st Houston Boys and Girls Brigade Pipe Band

1pm: Official opening of the Kirk Carnival

3.30pm: Prize Winners (including Lucky Prize Draw) announced at the Carrick Stage

Every penny raised at the Carnival goes to support events and activities in Houston and the surrounding area that are open to the whole community.

Houston & Killellan Kirk

Our Easter services during Holy Week were really well attended this year and it was lovely to welcome so many old friends and new, as we came together to celebrate our faith and Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

We set up our own Garden of Gethsemane in the Kirk, with help and inspiration from Lynne Knott of @ljkflowers, Tryptch Studio, the Curly Coffee Company and Jake Fulton from Bee Happy. It was a lovely way to illustrate the Easter story. Following our Holy Communion Service on Maundy Thursday we kept the Kirk open until midnight, with folk taking time out to sit, reflect, and enjoy the peace for a few moments. Our outdoor service, at 8am on Easter Sunday, and the 11am service of celebration were both as popular as ever.

Over the last few months we have been delighted to work with Active Communities, Barnardo’s Threads and Jason Andrews, of The River Inn, to support people in our local area by providing hot food and a space where everyone can keep warm and enjoy some company. This was a wonderful project to be involved in, and we are very grateful to the Church of Scotland for the funding that made it possible.

The Ceilidh for Houston Hello, our drop-in group for people living with dementia and their carers, was a fabulous night. Together we raised £1,450, which will help pay for sound equipment and regular professional entertainers for the group to enjoy.

Houston & Killellan Kirk Guild’s AGM was well attended. This session they raised a fantastic £4,900 through events like their Daffodil Tea, Autumn Cream Teas and the Christmas Market. The money has been shared between groups and charities, including £3,000 to the Kirk Session Fund and donations to ACCORD Hospice, St Vincent’s, Maggie’s Centre at the Beatson, Scottish Huntington’s Association, Glasgow City Mission and Erskine Hospital among others. A big thank you to everyone who supported the Guild this session.

Saturday 3rd June

Houston and Killellan Annual Show

Join us for another year of celebrating Houston’s Agricultural heritage and modern farming. Featuring and supported by local businesses.

Tractor Run - Friday 26th May: Come out and wave your wellies to see a spectacular variety of local tractors.

Take Part - See the wonderful creative craft and baking entries in the Big Tent, as well as watching our brilliant talent and dog shows. Schedules for the Craft and Baking section including children’s entries are now available from the Village Shop, North Street, committee members or by contacting Isabelle Stuart 07508 905298 or email issistuart@gmail.com

Livestock - Meet our local livestock and farming community. Pick your favourites from ponies, light horses, Clydesdales, cattle, sheep and more. Interested in Volunteering - Get in touch: Houstonshow@hotmail.co.uk; Mo - Secretary - 07734 150445; Kerry - Assistant - 07879 437793 Come along and have a great day out at the local show.

ward 10 cllr audrey doig

I was very pleased recently to attend as an Elected Member the first meeting of the new Bridge of Weir, Houston, Brookfield, Elderslie, Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch Local Area Partnership. All village Community Councils, including Houston and Brookfield, were represented and one of the big improvements about the new LAP’s, which replaced the old Local Area Committees, is that all community representatives are on an equal basis with Councillors and also have a vote on the business before the LAP. Those present were enthusiastic about how the Villages LAP can become a powerhouse to listen to local village needs across West Renfrewshire, and actually act to improve the local quality of life. The administration of Renfrewshire Council believes very strongly in putting our money where our mouth is and supporting the educational needs of our children. Therefore I was very pleased to support, at the last meeting of the Finance, Resources, and Customer Services Board, new contracts for electrical upgrades for two schools in my ward, Houston Primary and East Fulton Primary in Linwood. These substantial investments, of £364,799.31 for Houston Primary, and £588,333.05 for East Fulton Primary, will ensure that these local primaries are fit for purpose for the 2020’s and beyond. Across Renfrewshire many community minded individuals seek to serve their communities, from running youth groups to organising local gala days, and look for no recognition or reward save the satisfaction of doing a good job. Therefore, it was a genuine pleasure to recently attend the annual Provosts Community Awards Night where our unsung local heroes and heroines were recognised for their community service. There will be many such people in Linwood, Houston, Brookfield, and Crosslee, so I encourage all local Community Councils to nominate them for recognition.

Surgeries: Brookfield Village Hall - 2nd Thursday of the month at 6.30pm. Carrick Centre, Houston - 4th Thursday of the month at 7.15pm.

Contact info: T 07768 130 935

cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Dementia Friendly Lochwinnoch

Bingo Afternoon Tea

Friday 16th June 2pm - 4 pm, Lochwinnoch Golf Club

‘The Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly group aims to reach people with Dementia, their carers or family. In addition, provide social interaction and support for older members of our community and then open to all if numbers allow. For more information contact 07868 752814’.

Kilbarchan Parish Church

Services continue on Sundays at 11am, conducted by Rev Stephen Smith, with Junior Church meeting from 10.45am in the hall. Come along and join us after the service for refreshments and chat in the hall. On Sunday 14th at 6.30pm there will be a service of worship for Lodge Kilbarchan and the Eastern Star, also conducted by Rev Stephen Smith.

Christian Aid Week begins on Monday 15th and you are asked to return filled donation envelopes to church or to the hall in the afternoon of Sunday 21st.

Messy Church the next meeting is on Saturday 20th May from 4pm - 6pm in the halls. All children are welcome to come along and enjoy a variety of crafts, storytime, a singalong and a meal-you must bring an adult with you!

Midweek Fellowship continues on Wednesdays from 10.30am in the small-coffee, chat and a short service of worship.

Cuppa at the Kirk - You are all invited to come along on any, or every, Tuesday afternoon from 2pm - 4pm to enjoy coffee and chat in the Parish Church Hall.

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club - The club will be on holiday on Mondays 1st and 8th May but please come along with your tots on Mondays 15th, 22nd and 29th May from 9.15am - 11.30am in the hall off Steeple Square.

Lilias Day - Come along and visit the Parish Church and Eco group stall in the park on 3rd June.

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH ECO-NEWS

Just a reminder that our next Kilbarchan Parish Church eco-forum is on Wednesday 17th of May @ 7.30pm in the church hall.

Come along and bring a friend, you can be sure of a warm welcome and an interesting evening. The Kilbarchan eco group continue to research and advise the Church and local community on issues we can all address in our daily life. Energy saving is a high priority, both in terms of these tough economic times, and in reducing our undeniable impact on Climate Change.

There will be two speakers.

Paul O’Brien from ENVA waste management, will speak about his company, and the journey our rubbish takes after the wheelie bin. His theme will be “The Secret Life of Waste”.

Tom Knockolds of LOCO HOME RETROFIT, will also speak about his company - His expertise lies in helping communities develop energy saving projects, advising on de-carbonizing, and insulating older buildings and homes.

Both speakers will take questions on their subject and there will be an opportunity to make suggestions as to how we can all work together to make Kilbarchan an even better place to stay, come along and share your ideas, thoughts, and experiences - maybe even take the chance to get involved and do your bit?

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)

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

Did you know we have a “drop in” in the Reading Room where you can have a cup of tea/coffee and biscuit for £1, have a chat or browse through some books. The weather is getting warmer and we have a lovely seating area outside in the Hidden Garden, you will be welcome to have a look around and have a refreshment outside. Please phone or email for further information.

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

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

T 01505 706070

E kipcokil@hotmail.com W www.kipco.org

Despite Easter recess it’s been a busy month since my last column. As predicted news of the decision by McGill’s buses to increase fares and reduce services was received with disappointment and anger in the villages in my ward (Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch). For village residents the bus service is a vital lifeline. The reduction in bus frequency will create major problems, particularly for our older residents and those with mobility issues. Changes to morning and evening services leave people unable to get to work on time or without transport to get home in the evening. I have asked that McGill’s meet with me and colleagues to discuss how these cuts can be reduced. As a council we have written to the Scottish Government asking for a meeting with transport officials in order to express our and the communities’ views. We need the Scottish Government to provide the local transport authorities with the guidance, resources and powers to allow our local bus services to be under local control.

This year marks the 300th anniversary of Kilbarchan’s Weavers Cottage. In the heart of the village’s conservation area, the Weaver’s Cottage is a traditional loom weavers cottage. At the time it was one of hundreds of self-employed weavers homes when Kilbarchan was at the heart of the thriving Scottish textile industry. Restored by the National Trust the Weavers Cottage is now a popular museum which vividly recreates the living and working conditions of a typical handloom weaver. If you haven’t been yet, I’d encourage you to visit this fascinating building. Last month I raised a motion at Council to congratulate the Weavers Cottage staff and volunteers on its tercentenary and I look forward to many more successful years for this historic venue.

Surgeries: 1st Saturday in the month: 9am Lochwinnoch Bowling Club, 10am Howwood Hall, 11am The Old Library Kilbarchan and 12noon Johnstone Town Hall.

Contact info: T 0300 300 1268

E cllr.gillian.graham@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Kilbarchan National Women’s Register

There will be a series of evening meetings, coffee mornings and visits during May. The main event is an area lunch on Wednesday 17th, organised by members of Kilbarchan and Bridge of Weir groups which takes place in the Boardroom of the Boarding House in Howwood. The speaker is Corinne Hutton who will speak about her double hand transplant and her charity “Finding your Feet”. There are members from 9 groups in the Renfrewshire and Glasgow area attending the lunch

The Book Group will discuss “The Dictionary of Lost Words” and hopefully the Walking Group will enjoy several walks during May. For further info about our group and NWR, phone 703786 and 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.

Many of my Kilbarchan constituents are upset about the new changes to the McGill’s bus services to the village. Massive changes are being made after 1st May so I had a meeting with McGill’s management to discuss how to improve connectivity for Kilbarchan commuters. I put it to them that a revised McGill’s 307 service, which currently runs in the evening from Lochwinnoch to Johnstone Station via Howwood, could radically improve the situation for Kilbarchan if it did a slight detour off Beith Road, past Milliken Park Railway Station, to pick up passengers at Easwaldbank, then proceed back to Johnstone Station. This would give Kilbarchan residents a choice of two links to railway transport and connect the three villages in my ward. I am awaiting a response from McGill’s management.

I am still fighting the battle of Bowfield Road on behalf of my Howwood constituents. This is a dialogue with council officers about the possibility of them putting in physical chicanes into Bowfield Road, following the narrow approval, by three votes, of the planning application at the former Carsewood House site. A condition already imposed by council officers was for improved signage and build out chicanes at the junction of Bowfield Road / Hill Road. I have asked council officers if they can install barriers as well as build outs, at this point.

I have written to the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh to ask them what they are doing to push the sale of the former Lochwinnoch Parish Kirk, which is now reaching a state of decay. The building has a great emotional attachment for villagers who were married and baptised there, and being in the conservation area I feel the Kirk nationally should make more of an effort to sell it and allow it to find a new use.

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

Contact T 07534 148 224 t CllrAndy4Ward8 info: E cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

F IndependentVoice/Ward9JohnstoneAndVillages

The Kilbarchan Singers May Concert

Spring Concert 2023

“Spring, the Sweet Spring”

Saturday 13th May

7.30pm - 9.30pm

Kilbarchan Parish Church

We look forward to welcoming you for a wonderful evening of music and good company

HOWWOOD PARISH CHURCH

Our Easter services were very well attended. The Holy Week services with St Pauls had good turnouts and plenty of chat with friends from the two congregations. On a cold Sunday morning the 9am service at Howwood also had a good attendance, although maybe the rolls on sausage helped a wee bit. All in fine voice and our hymns rolled over the village. Easter service at 10am had lots of members in church for a fine sermon. Chocolate eggs brought a big smile to all.

Remember the coffee mornings are still ongoing with this month on 17th May at 11am. All free but we would like a small donation to Shelter, which is our chosen church charity this year, thank you. Come along for the company and keep up with the village happenings.

Tickets £10 including refreshments

Church service is at 10am each Sunday, come along and join in the hymn singing and listen to a good service.

All Are Welcome In This Place.

Lochwinnoch Community Council Report

Discussion at the meeting of the Lochwinnoch Community Council on 4th April mainly centred around the application from Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust to acquire a site at Lochhead Avenue, behind the Parish Church, from Renfrewshire Council.

At the previous meeting on 7th March representatives of LCDT asked for support for the application “seeking a 10 year lease for the site, with an option to purchase it in the longer term“. The closing date for responses was 31st March.

The site had been derelict and unused for more than 15 years prior to the Trust leasing it for the last 3 years, mainly for use by the Food Larder group, and currently it has three temporary sheds on the site with permission for five years.

Patrick Ramsey, Vice Chairman chaired the meeting in the absence of the chairman Shona Finnie. He summarised a consultation organised by the CC at short notice in time for completion before the deadline. There had been 125 responses from a house to house distribution to most of the village, and a street distribution from a stall at the centre of the village on two successive Saturdays.

Renfrewshire Council had confirmed receipt and accepted that they would be considered valid. A further 228 responses had been submitted through an on line poll process. There was some duplication from respondents rendering them invalid, 37 had already contacted the Dept, and 31 had not filled out the whole form with proof of address.

Renfrewshire Council are expected to announce the result of the consultation at the end of April and submit the application for approval or rejection to the next CAT sub-committee of the Council on 24th May. Council officials had admitted that there was currently no mechanism for CC’s to be automatically alerted to CAT applications in their areas, which may have been why responses collected by the CC was initially indicated as not being valid.

Friends of Howwood Park

Friends of Howwood Park have been successful in securing £10,000 in National Lottery Funding towards the renovation of the pavilion located in Howwood Park, which the group are in the process of taking over as an asset transfer from Renfrewshire Council.

The money will be spent towards the installation of toilets, a kitchen and an access ramp for wheelchairs and prams.

The building has been empty for over 20 years and was in very poor condition. Significant works have already taken place - thanks to funding from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Empowerment Fund - but there is still much more to do.

This money will allow us to take us a further step forward towards completing the works. Once the works are complete, the building will be used as a ‘hub’ for park activities.

Kilbarchan Lilias Day

Saturday 3rd June

What better way to start the summer season with a day out at Lilias Day! If you haven’t been before, make sure you mark it in your calendar and come along and join the fun!

The day starts at 1pm with a parade through the village. It’s led by Kilbarchan Pipe Band and followed by an historic parade and some brilliantly decorated floats – Malcolm’s lorries like you’ve never seen before!

At the Steeple we’re met by Habbie Simpson, Kilbarchan’s famous 16th century piper. He comes to life once a year to celebrate the day and pipe a few tunes.

The parade culminates at Kilbarchan Public Park where the entertainment begins. The park is open from 12noon – 5pm with a range of activities for all ages. In the kids tent this year we have weird science workshops and a magician; our music tent showcases up and coming local bands Bensider and Howlin Radio; our main act in the arena is The Clan Bike Show and we have our usual host of charity stalls, craft stalls and a food village.

Entry to the park is only £2.50 and 50p – with so much entertainment on offer, what’s not to like! See you there!

Kilmacolm new Community Centre

The Cargill Centre: the Community Centre for Kilmacolm

It is a little over 10 years since the Cargill Centre, the Kilmacolm New Community Centre, opened at the heart of the village. The opening was the result of a great co-operative effort by the village. It reflected the vision and generosity of many individuals and of the Cargill Fund and Inverclyde Council. We have a focus for our village of which we can all be proud.

The Community Centre itself provides a range of light and airy rooms for a wide range of activities as well as a cafe where people can meet for a chat over a coffee or a delicious lunch. The smaller school building is also part of the Cargill Centre and provides accommodation for the library and doctors’ surgery. The Centre manages the “piazza” where every month the Farmers’ Market brings a buzz to Saturday morning and where, at other times, people can sit and enjoy the flowers, thanks to Colourful Kilmacolm.

The Centre is a charitable company (KNCC), managed by a Board of local people who give their time voluntarily. Its operations are grant-aided by Inverclyde Council, but the Council budget is under pressure and the Centre’s grant has not increased while expenditure, not least on energy, rises continuously. Covid hit the Centre’s income, and is only now recovering. It is expensive to keep the Centre in operation!

When you next plan a reception or a meeting, perhaps a committee meeting, a party for your child, or a reception for a wedding or funeral, or any other get together, consider holding it at the Centre. Our room hire charges are kept as low as possible, and reduced for the local community. Susan and Gary, our friendly caretakers, are always happy to talk things over.

Kilmacolm Civic Trust

Friday

Music Land 10am – 11am

saturday

Gail Ashley Children’s Dance Class 9.30am – 3.30pm

Surgeries in may

Natalie Don MSP

5th @ 9.30am – 10.30am

Cllr David Wilson 20th @ 10am – 11am

Centre

Enquiries & Room Hire: T 01505 873994

W www.cargillcentre.com

The Kilmacolm and Quarriers Civic Trust held its AGM in April and was able to announce that its digital historical archive was nearly complete and was now available online at https://bit.ly/40zsvaH

This enables, not only the Civic Trust members, but any interested individual, to search the archive with its many old pictures, postcards, documents, as well as stories of local events, sports and all clubs.

The ‘word search’ is easy and there is also a ‘help’ button. The archive will suit those with an inquisitive mind regarding the history of Kilmacolm and Quarriers and past planning applications.

Also it should appeal to those, especially school children, wishing to undertake a project involving specific aspects - e.g., The railway, farming, sports clubs, shops, the moss, or politics.

Although most of the archive is digitised much has been retained and can be examined by contacting the archivist at archivist@kilmacolmcivictrust.org. There is also an extensive library of books on Kilmacolm and Quarriers, and by local authors.

The Civic Trust continues with its primary function in stimulating public interest in the beauty, history and character of Kimacolm and Quarriers. It works with Inverclyde Council on planning matters and as such has spent some £13,000 during the past two years to get expert planning advice regarding some of the contentious larger planning issues threatening the green belt.

To join the Kilmacolm and Quarriers Civic Trust contact the website on www.kilmacolmcivictrust.org We need your help.

Kilmacolm Rock Choir

Come along and join the Rock Choir in our new venue!

The Kilmacolm choir rehearsals are taking place in the Houston & Killellan Halls in Houston until the end of June. Run by local resident Jennifer Scouller from Kilbarchan her energy and enthusiasm is infectious! If you love to sing, but don’t fancy singing by yourself and don’t read music, then come and try us out with a free taster session visit www.rockchoir.com

Support Your Local Hospice

Can you spare 4 hours per week to support Ardgowan Hospice in their retail stores or any other areas in our organisation. Learn new skills & meet new people while helping us support the local community .

We are currently in great need of donations for example ladies tops, dresses, handbags, jewellery, bric a brac.

ARDGOWAN HOSPICE

3 Drumpellier Place, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm PA13 4AF.

Telephone: 01505 873142

A warm welcome awaits ... we look forward to seeing you.

Free Dementia Singing Sessions

May 16th to 13th June from 1pm - 2.30pm (with a free lunch included) at St Fillans Church Hall, Moss Road, Kilmalcolm - Spaces are limited to 25. Family and friends really encouraged to come along too!

The sessions will be delivered by Daniela Hathaway and pianist David Mackie and Eleanor Tasker. We will start with a lovely lunch to get to know each other, then we will do some fun body warm ups. We will sing well known songs, learn some new ones, go for a dance and build a bank of favourite songs.

Call Daniela 07949 071653 for details.

Kilmacolm Old Kirk

SOLAS: The Solas bereavement drop-in group will be meeting in the Lounge of the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm, on Thursday 11th May at 2pm. As always, this meeting is open to all with no pre-registration required.

Solas supports those from Kilmacolm and surrounding areas who have lost a loved one. It doesn’t matter if it was recently or a long time ago, Solas creates a safe place to talk, to listen and to heal. You will be supported in processing issues of grief and loss by expert speakers as well as each other. For more information, please call Barbara Marshall on 01505 872417 or email: barbara@oochy.com

OUTLOOK Team:

Thursday 4th May - A Pre-Coronation Special with a royal quiz, flower arranging and a raffle of special gifts. Afternoon tea refreshments.

Thursday 18th May - Gentle keep fit with Grace

Thursday 1st June - St Columba’s Junior School flautist group visit.

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, videos, quiz, tombola, easy keep fit.

COMMUNION: The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated in the Old Kirk on Sunday 21st May, led by our interim Moderator the Rev Dr Sonia Blakesley.

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 or visit our website at www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk

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

The 188 th Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Show

The 188th Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Show will take place in the spectacular setting of the Knapps Loch on Saturday 13th May from 9am.

There will be hundreds of entries in our wide range of classes - sheep, cows, horses (light and heavy), children’s cattle, and dogs.

The Industrial Tent will showcase the domestic arts, crafts and baking by adults and children. Entry forms and fees must be submitted by Friday 12th May.

ward 1 cllr Stephen Mccabe

I was pleased to be asked to be a judge for the Greenock Telegraph’s Community Champion Awards 2023. It was a tough task picking the winners in the various categories as we have so many good people giving of their time to support others in Inverclyde. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Greenock Town Hall on 5th May.

Along with my fellow Councillors I paid a visit to the new cruise terminal and visitor centre in Greenock at the start of last month.

This will be a fantastic asset for both the cruise industry and the local community when it opens shortly. As well as a passenger arrivals and departures hall there will be a top class restaurant run by Buzzworks, with stunning views across the Clyde, and a museum housing the works of renowned local artist George Wylie and other visiting displays.

Light Horse classes, including cross country, showjumping, showing and games, will run all day. Light Horse classes should be entered online at: www.kilmacolmshow. org - fees increase from Saturday 8th May. Entries will be taken on showday at the Horse Tent at the increased fee amounts.

There will be a dog show for all hairy hounds - dogs do not need to be KC registered and entries are taken on showday from 10.30am at the Dog Ring or can be made online at:www.kilmacolmshow.org

Schedules and entry forms for all classes can be downloaded from the website www.kilmacolmshow.org

There will be entertainment in the main ring, including the fantastic St Columba’s School Pipe Band, Ridden Clydesdales, Dancers, Dog Teams and much more.

The Knapps Experience will be next to the main ring where young and old can meet some friendly animals, brush up on their agricultural knowledge, learn about the environment, local heritage, and the effect that we, as humans, have upon nature in all its facets.

This is great day out for the whole family - human and hairy! Follow us on socials to keep up to date with show news. Information, schedules and online entry for Light Horses and Dog classes are available on the website: www.KilmacolmShow.org

The Council has approved a new corporate plan setting out our vision and the high level outcomes we want to achieve over the next five years. You can access the Council Plan on our website at www. inverclyde.gov.uk.

The most recent Local Government Benchmarking Framework report for 2021/22 shows Inverclyde to be one of the best performing Councils in Scotland across a wide range of services. Again, details are available on the Council’s website.

I was pleased the Council’s Policy & Resources Committee was able to allocate £250,000 to Parklea Branching Out to help them build a new £1.7m community hub at their base in Port Glasgow. Parklea is a fantastic charity that does so much to support people with a range of additional support needs.

Surgery: Boglestone Community Centre on Tuesday 16th May from 6.30pm to 7.30 pm.

Contact info:

T 01475 712 020 (office hours)

E Stephen.McCabe@Inverclyde.gov.uk

o 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm, PA13 4HL

Bridge of Weir Choral Society

Spring Concert - Sunday 14th May

Bridge of Weir Choral Society’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem will take place at The Old Kirk, Kilmacolm at 7pm.

The Mozart Requiem is an interesting piece, as it was unfinished at Mozart’s death in 1791. The Süssmayr completion, which you will hear at the concert, was finished the year after Mozart’s death and is the most commonly performed. Franz Xaver Süssmayr (1766 - 1803) was an Austrian composer who was popular in his own time. More recently other composers have attempted different versions. Music scholars have spent years trying to work out which bits are the original Mozart, and which are the additions. With professional soloists and organ accompaniment, whoever wrote it, it will be an evening of fantastic music!

Tickets are £10 and are available from any choir member, or on the door on the night. For further information, contact Mary. Leishman@4-consulting.com

The Choral Society’s first meeting was in September 1948 in the school in Bridge of Weir, so we are going to be 75 later this year! The committee is currently considering ways of marking this milestone, so watch this space!

St Fillans Church, Kilmacolm

St Fillans Scottish Episcopal Church, Kilmacolm is looking for an organist or pianist to cover Sunday services where possible. For more information please contact maureenmrussell@hotmail.com

ward 1 cllr david wilson

We have published the cost per pupil per annum for 21/22. Pre-school £11,811, Primary £6,864, Secondary £8,339. These are between 8% to 15% higher than the Scottish average. We have through a decade of financial cuts protected Education spend, as demonstrated by the above figures. Our primary1, 4, 7 levels of Literacy are 74% and Numeracy 80%. These really should be in the 90s as they are in a handful of our Primaries including KPS. Our Council Tax has increased by 5.3%, in spite of my party proposing an alternative budget with an increase under 5%. This was lost in a 19-2 vote with one abstention. We are always conscious of taxpayers. Easter was well observed in the village with various services including one involving all the Churches on the Piazza. I landed the perilous and thankless task of judging the Easter Bonnet competition in the Old Kirk on Easter Sunday. The Lord Lieutenant performed the duty last year, so I was in exalted company. Congratulations to all but particularly the winners Wendy Coughtrie and Ann Muir. The local Presbytery will recommend to the General Assembly that there is a Union between Kilmacolm Old and St Columba and that one Minister be allocated to the charge. The joint Sanctuary will be the Old Kirk and decisions will have to be made regarding both manses. This has been long in the resolution and both churches deserve credit for defending and presenting positive ways forward. The Church of Scotland is faced with declining membership and ministers. There are preparations for the Coronation. Carriages in conjunction with KCC are having an event. I have been asked, at a special meeting in the Masonic Hall, Brown Street, Port Glasgow to deliver an address in honour of our new King Charles III.

Drains emptied in Gryffe Road, broken timeclock at Auchenbothie fixed, abandoned van at Carriages car park removed, cats eyes and white lining requested on A761 from Scart farm to the village. Surgery: Saturday 20th May, 10am - 11am at the Cargill.

Contact T 07766 992294 or 01475 741969 / 722975 info: E david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk

Schools & Sports

Houston Primary

Primary 6 Euroquiz

We are absolutely delighted to announce that our Primary 6 Euroquiz representatives won the Renfrewshire heat. There were fifteen other schools competing and Houston were delighted with their performance! They will now progress to the final competition at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh in June. A huge thank you to the staff and parents who have helped our pupils to prepare for this competition. Well done to all!

Red Nose Day

A group of our enterprising Primary 6 girls decided to make bracelets to sell to their peers to raise money for Red Nose Day. They were extremely popular and raised the grand total of £91.95. Great team work and superb organisation. Well done!

St Columba’s Rugby and Hockey

Next Deadline...

#337 June 2023: 17th May

We were delighted to welcome Alan Falconer from Scottish Rugby to assembly recently to present our Rugby teams with their award for winning the West and Midlands School Conference for the second year running. This is a cumulative effort, reflecting the success of our entire Rugby programme, and is testament to the hard work and dedication of both our staff and pupils.

The 1st XV 7s team had a very successful day at the High School of Glasgow’s Rugby 7s tournament, where they brought home the plate. This was a tough competition, but the players showed great determination and strength of character to win the final.

In Hockey, the 1st XI found success on the pitch, coming in second at both the BP Plate and the Hutchesons’ Hockey 7s tournament. Further down

Football Success

Former Houston Primary pupil, Cameron Scott, has recently signed a three year professional contract with Glasgow Rangers and has earned his 7th International Cap for Scotland. This is a wonderful achievement and very well deserved. When he was younger, he always showed great determination and resilience. We are very proud of him!

Marvellous Men!

The Men’s Shed volunteers made a brilliant job of making us storage shelves for our outdoor play equipment. They were made out of unwanted pallets. We thank the team very much!

Spring Concert

Pupils from P5-7 performed at Gryffe High School’s, Spring Concert. The pupils demonstrated their musical talents with great confidence and skill. Mr Christie, headteacher of Gryffe High School was very impressed with our talented pupils and can’t wait for them to come up to secondary. An amazing performance, well done everyone!

the school, our SIII team were runners up in the Scottish Hockey Plate final against Kelvinside at Peffermill. This was a hard-fought match, with the St Columba’s team leading until the second half.

For the SVI players, this term has seen the final Hockey and Rugby matches of their St Columba’s careers. Their service and dedication to School Sport over the years has been second to none.

Netball

Over the last few years, we have been developing the provision of Netball in the Senior School, thanks to the hard work of Mrs Corbett and her dedicated players. Several of our players are now playing at District level, as well as for the School. In March, the SIV/ SV team played for the inaugural Diana Nolte TGA Netball Challenger Plate at Scotstoun, winning 36-6. This was an excellent result for the team, especially as Erin C (SV) was also named Player of the Tournament. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up-to-date with all of the goings on at St Columba’s.

Want to know more about becoming a Columban? Get in touch with our Admissions Registrar today.

www.st-columbas.org | admissions@st-columbas.org

Euroquiz Team

Spring Concert

Duchal Nursery

We are very much looking forward to an action-packed summer term and hopefully some warm sunshine!

Our minibeast topic has been a huge hit with lots of exploring under sticks and stones to see what we can spy hiding. We are so lucky to be surrounded by nature and we will certainly be making the most of the outside space this term.

We are delighted that we will once again be taking a stand at the Kilmacolm Show, it is wonderful to be part of this fantastic community event and we look forward to seeing local families at our stand. The children are also busily getting creative preparing their entries for the Industrial tent!

Our budding young footballers are back out on the field fine tuning their skills with Morton in the Community’s weekly sessions. Concentrating on hand eye coordination, balance and control, all while encouraging and maintaining a healthy active lifestyle, and using up plenty of energy outside!

New Entries to Duchal:

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

Abbey Nursery

This month we celebrated almost 100% sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The initiative allows children residing in Renfrewshire ages 2-5 to have a free book delivered to their door each month as part of the Dolly Parton Imagination library programme. We hosted a Dolly inspired Easter egg hunt with the eggs filled with stickers, different painting / arts & crafts stations, snacks and stories read by the Easter Bunny to kick off the Easter weekend in style! We had an overwhelming number of children and families attend with majority of our families coming along to take part. Feedback was 100% positive and staff, children and families had a fantastic afternoon in the Easter sunshine.

The Ginger Cat Children’s Bookshop Book Reviews

The King’s Pants ISBN 9781839133626

by Nicholas Allan | Andersen Press Ltd

As you can imagine the King is a very dapper dresser with crowns galore and pants for every occasion. He has everyday pants, weekend pants .. and did you know, he even has Coronation pants? The King can’t be crowned without his Coronation pants! But oops, there’s been a bit of a mix up at Royal Mail and the King’s pants are being delivered to his subjects nationwide! How will the King cope without his precious pants?! A hilarious picture book that’s perfect to enjoy during the coronation in May and beyond.. Age 2+

The FosSil Hunter ISBN: 9780241469880

by Kate Winter | Penguin

Random House Children’s UK

Over 200 years ago a young girl named Mary Anning lived on the south coast of England. Her family were poor and both Mary and her brother would hunt for fossils to sell to rich tourists. In 1811, Mary discovered the largest fossil that she had ever encountered; it would eventually be called an Ichthyosaur, and over time Mary began to raise her profile as a fossil hunter and palaeontologist. In 1823 she discovered the almost entire skeleton of a plesiosaur but she wasn’t credited with the find. She also wasn’t the only woman written out of scientific history! Things improved for Mary and she was able to open a fossil shop, becoming well known among other palaeontologists. Finding fossils throughout her life, Mary paved the way for modern palaeontology. Her fossils including the Ichthyosaur’s skull and the Plesiosaurus can be found in the Natural History Museum in London today. The Fossil Hunter tells Mary’s fascinating story and legacy whilst also providing historical timelines and information on the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Filled with interesting facts, this book would make an excellent gift for ages 7+ to adult

35 Main St, Bridge of Weir PA11 3NR T : 01505 871283

Langbank Primary

Go Dance

Euro Spies ISBN: 9781911279549

by Lindsay Littleson | Cranachan Publishing Limited

An exciting new adventure from local author Lindsay Littleson. Samia, Ava and Frankie are overjoyed after winning a whirlwind trip around European capital cities, but all is not what it seems when shots are fired on the way to their first destination! It transpires that this is no ordinary school trip, the children are being used as cover for a spying mission and Miss Watson, their chaperone is working for MI6!! Her colleague has vanished and left behind cryptic clues leading to vital information. On their arrival in Paris, Samia, Ava and Frankie are catapulted into a world of art, espionage and terrible danger. Can the children solve the clues hidden on famous European landmarks and avoid the scary strangers following them?! Adventure hungry, would be spies aged 8+ can help solve the clues as they read along. Lindsay will be visiting Kilmacolm primary and Cedars school in May to tell the children all about her thrilling new adventure!

Horrible Histories: The Worst in the World

ISBN: 9780702323768

by Terry Deary | Illustrated by Martin Brown

To celebrate the 30 year anniversary of Horrible Histories of course it’s only right to explore The Worst in the World! Packed with foul and disgusting facts, find out the gold, silver and bronze medal winning entries, and discover the most disgusting job in history. Read all about the winners in horrible categories such as diseases, battles, emperors, punishments, schools and more! The Worst in the World is fantastically illustrated throughout by Martin Brown and there’s some exciting news. In June, Martin Brown will be spending the day at Bridge of Weir primary to celebrate 30 years of Horrible Histories!!

Well done to our amazing dancers who did the school proud at the Go Dance event at Theatre Royal on 23rd March. The children worked so hard to perfect their routines and were outstanding in the final performance. A huge thank you to Mrs Rodger for all of her hard work and dedication to provide this unique opportunity to our children. Many thanks to the staff who supported rehearsals and backstage on the evening.

Scottish Mathematical Challenge

We are delighted to share the fantastic news that all of our P6/7 pupils who took part in this year’s Scottish Mathematical Challenge have achieved an award. The children have worked very hard to undertake a series of complex problem-solving questions and have showcased their abilities to a high standard. The children will receive their awards from the University of Strathclyde in the summer term. Bronze winners: Eve, Anna, James, Ethan, River, Matthew, Olly, Tiahna Silver winners: Rosie, Abigail, Alfie, Leah, Lila, Yasmin, Harmony, Nathan, Ruaridh

Ducklings

Primary 3/4 were delighted to have ducklings in their class. They arrived as eggs in a special incubator and we waited patiently for them to hatch. We ended up with 4 ducklings and loved learning facts about them and how to take care of them. Now that they are too big to stay with us, they are away to their forever home at Ark on the Clyde at Finlaystone.

Kilbarchan Community

Nursery SCIO

6th Green Flag Award!

We were delighted to achieve our 6th green flag award from Keep Scotland Beautiful for our work on Eco Schools projects. The assessor wrote back highlighting all the positive things we have been doing.

They noted:

“Your Eco-journey has been busy and impactful as the understanding and connecting with making the world more sustainable has been powerful and the children have not only been taking action in school but also at home.”

We are delighted with this achievement!

We still have availability for termtime nursery places, including extended day, as well as breakfast and after school sessions for children attending Kilbarchan Primary. For more info contact the nursery on: 01505 70483

Ranfurly Castle Ladies

It has been a slow start to the Competition season due to the weather causing a few problems but the Ladies are a hardy bunch!

We opened with the 5 Club,12 hole Competition on Wednesday 22nd March where the winner was Sheila Biggart with 28 points and runner up was Karin Mackenzie with 25 points. The next 2 events were disrupted by heavy rain but we had better luck on Wednesday 12th April when there was a team Fun Yellow Ball Stableford event. Despite the weather warnings of rain and gale force winds, the event was played on a dry blustery day and the teams enjoyed the Easter Eggs provided by Captain Karen. Winning team, with a score of 134 stableford points, was Anne Judge, Lilias Snodgrass and Rosemary Ogilvie. Runners up team, with a score of 126 points, was Denise Cowan, Anne Gordon and Pamela Mackenzie. Stuart, in the Pro Shop, has received the new Spring stock of Swing Out Sister and Glenmuir Ladies wear. Plenty of new and exiting colours and styles to cheer everyone up after the long winter.

Castle Semple Sailing Club

The Spring Series is now underway with racing taking place on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Cadet training is taking place on Sunday mornings, from 10am and adult training will re-commence on Thursday 20th April, 5.30pm.

Anyone interested in becoming a member, or just finding out more are most welcome - around 1pm on Sunday’s is a good time to come along and say hello. Additionally, there is a RYA Discover Sailing event at the club on Saturday 27th May, from 10.30am.

We’re delighted that a Sailability Scotland Challengers Travellers event will take place at the club again this year on the 3rd and 4th of June. Another notable event is the Commodores Cup on the 11th of June.

The Osteopaths introduce a Unique, Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment and Rehabilitation for a Wide Range of Injuries

The Osteopaths have grown our award winning team and now work with physical therapists and massage therapists with the aim of giving our patients the best focused care for their needs

Ruth joins our team with a wide range of experience. She has worked with patients to prepare for joint surgery which evidence has shown improves outcomes and recovery, as well as working in the rehabilitation of patients post surgically e.g. after a hip or knee replacement, making sure you regain optimum strength and mobility after surgery. Ruth has worked in a hospital setting to rehabilitate patients after falls and neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. With a significant rugby background, Ruth provides physical therapy and pitch-side first aid for Cartha Queens Park and Garnock RFC and has worked in Wales with the professional rugby side, Dragons RFC, where she developed her skills to align with their high standard. In addition to working with sports injuries Ruth is looking forward to bringing neurological rehabilitation of various conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s to the practice. With previous experience in an acute stroke ward, Ruth can help you regain as much function and mobility as possible to retrain your body from stroke, allowing you to return to activities that you enjoy.

Within your first session with Ruth, you should expect a comprehensive discussion of the impairments or injuries that impact you the most, followed by a complete examination and first treatment session. Further sessions will then focus on hands on treatment as well as functional exercises using a variety of equipment.

Like all of our team you are able to use health insurance providers for your care. Just call 0141 887 3734 or book online at

www.theosteopaths.org.uk

The Eco Committee 2022/23 Catriona, Cali, Zoe, Iona, Ren, Anna, Scott, Calum

MS&P Kip Regatta 2023

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th May

Kip Marina, The Yacht, Harbour Square, Inverkip, Greenock, UK

For more info, please get in touch: info@kipmarina.co.uk 01475 529975

https://www.kipmarina.co.uk/msp-kip-regatta-2023/

The MS&P Kip Regatta 2023, the first ‘Major’ of the Scottish racing calendar, takes to the water from Kip Marina and welcomes on board new sponsors in the shape of Inspiration Marine and Michael Schmidt & Partner.

Offering the perfect start to sailing in Scotland or fine tuning your boat and crew for the forthcoming season. With expert race management from Royal Western Yacht Club, ensuring closely fought contests across the classes, including IRC & RC35, CYCA, Sigma 33, International Etchells, 2 Handed and others. Superb prizes up for grabs from prize sponsors RYA Scotland and Kingfisher Ropes together with the prestigious RWYC silverware.

On shore, crews and visitors alike can enjoy the popular social events including the famous Saturday night Shore Party at The Chartroom with live music from Earl Blue & the Sessions into the small hours, and Buckley’s Street Food on the waterside patio. For the early risers, there is a full breakfast service on Sunday to cure any ills, and a prize giving ceremony on Sunday afternoon to recognise the winners and close the event.

Each year MS&P Kip Regatta has attracted a growing number of first-time entries and 2023 is the perfect year to plan on ‘doing the West Coast’ and enjoy the world class sailing waters of the Clyde for yourself. For entrants, Kip Marina provides a special reduced Regatta Rate for berthing, hoists or launching – for full details on these email info@kipmarina.co.uk and quote ‘Kip Regatta’.

In conjunction with Kip Regatta, MS&P and Inspiration Marine will be running an open weekend at their newly refurbished Kip office.

The award-winning new Moody 41DS and Hanse 460 will be on display, and visitors are welcome to come aboard and look around. The team will be available all weekend to answer any questions about buying or selling a boat together with details on all current brokerage boats for sale.

Birkmyre 1st XV Push For Promotion

Birkmyre Rugby Club are pushing for promotion as they head into the final weeks of the season. With only two matches left, they face initially Bishopton at Holmpark on Sat 15th April. They then make the long trip to Fort William to take on Lochaber in their final league encounter. Two wins would leave them well placed whist they await the results of postponed matched to get played across the league into May.

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. Sandwiches, home baking, tea/coffee/water in the halls. Pre-Register for the event online at: https://entries.runabc.co.uk/e/rotary-club-of-gryffe-valley-10k-908

• Medal, Official Time, & Goodie bag for all runners. NEW Free 2K run in the park for kids at 12.30pm • Trophies/prizes for best males (1,2,3), best females (1,2,3), best under 18s (1,2,3), best >60, highest sponsored individual, highest sponsored team (eg school, pub, club, company or family), & fastest team (shortest total time of the first 4 in a team) • On-day registration, change, & badges at West Church Halls, Houston, PA6 7EL from 11.30am • Entry fees £16 online or £18 on the day (£7 for runners aged 16/17 & younger accompanied children) • Teams & individuals are urged to seek sponsorship for CHAS or give a donation when registering

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.

T Mo 07505 126416

Jennifer Sloan

Physiotherapy Led Pilates

Kilmacolm Community Centre

Wednesdays: 6.15pm - 7.15pm 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Thursdays: 9.30am - 10.30am

T Jennifer 07731 303709

E 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.

T Yvonne 07786 224 367

E 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.

T Mo 07505 126 416

Move it or Lose it!

Gourock, Bridge of Weir, Greenock, Kilmacolm, Houston, Kilbarchan & Langbank (new class)

Classes aimed at ladies & gents over 60. We focus on Flexibility, Aerobic Health, Balance and Strength (FABS) exercises. Sessions include music to spark memories!

First class free for new members

W www.moveitorloseito.co.uk

F Move-it -or-lose-it-with-fiona

T Fiona 07811 766672

Do you want to promote your class?

Get in touch today!

info@advertizer.co.uk

01505 613340

(Small fee applies)

Kilmacolm Golf Club

At last, the sun has started to shine and the course is busy with happy golfers! Our competition season got off to a great start with a number of mixed fun events open to all our membership, giving everyone a chance to get back into the swing of things.

Club Captain, George Morris, welcomed over 100 members to our season opener with the winning team of Tommy McElwee, Robert Gordon, Derek Clark and Sam Henderson posting a great score, combining well as a team on the important holes.

In addition to this the Ladies section held their own fun competition to kick off their season, with 39 ladies playing a 10 hole triam, the winners were Carolyn Anderson, Fiona Malcolm and Lucy Woods.

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

Our youngsters have set the bar high with a fantastic clean sweep in the first of the Golf Sixes events being held over the summer. Our team of aspiring golfers (all without handicaps) took to the course beating Paisley, Greenock, Gourock, Erskine and Renfrew to win the first of six events. This is a fantastic initiative giving our younger members a first taste of competitive golf which over the years has produced some great players. Let’s hope our ladies and gents teams can continue this success when their competitive matches get under way. Here’s to a successful season for all!

Gourock Highland Games

Gourock Highland Games, the first games of the Scottish season, will take place in Inverclyde at Battery Park, Eldon Street, Greenock PA16 7QG on Sunday 14th May.

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

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

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

Paisley Colour Photographic Club

On Thursday 13th April Hunter Kennedy of Carluke Camera Club judged PCPC’s Annual Competition for the Henderson Trophy .

Images are judged in sets of three. The winning set in the advanced section was Guy Phillips, comprising “Looking Up”, “ Mil 35 Hind” and “Swinging”. In second place was Mike Cruise with his “Pine Marten”, “Coming In To Land” and “Woodland Lookout”. Third place went to the club’s president, Eddie Middleton, with his “Waves Botallack”, “Waves Traigh Bheag” and “Waves Eilean Sionnach”. Jim Black was 4th with his “Treecreeper”, “Great Spotted Woodpecker” and “Blue Tit”.

Winner of the Intermediate Section was Ollie Desforges, who gains a well earned promotion to the Advanced Section for season 23/24. Ollie’s images were “Shag”, “Guillemot” and “Puffin in Flight With Eels”.

Hunter’s choice for the best image of the competition was “Kite Surfing is Fun” by Iain Gardener.

What a great set of photographs!

(net) and John Wilson (gross) leading the way!

Looking Up

Mil 35 Hind

Swinging

Shag

Guillemot

Puffin in Flight With Eels

strathgryffe tennis club

Strathgryffe recently hosted a tennis festival attracting 320 children from 21 schools throughout Renfrewshire. The children took part in activity stations playing games, learning new skills, and developing their teamwork skills. The club offers a coaching programme catering for all ages and abilities. Nonmembers welcome, equipment provided. For further information and booking go to: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StrathgryffeLTC/Coaching.

Kilmacolm Half Marathon

The Old Course Ranfurly

As usual at Old Ranfurly, it’s been a very busy time for the clubhouse from a social perspective. The final quiz night of the autumn/winter season was held on Friday 24th March and as always the turnout was fantastic. Many congratulations to the winning team “The Quizzly Bears”. They nominated to donate the £207 raised on the evening to Blankfaces (UK fashion label aimed at ending homelessness).

What are you waiting for? Get your running shoes out and start training for the Kilmacolm Half Marathon!

Inverclyde Leisure have done everything to make this an enjoyable event for the runners and the people of Inverclyde. We also encourage families to get involved for a fun filled day!

Alongside a 10k and 3k, the running of the Kilmacolm Half Marathon is one of the biggest participation events in Inverclyde’s sporting calendar.

Date : Sunday 10th September | Start Time : 10am | Number of Places : 500

Route: Runners start at the Birkmyre Park Fitness Gym. From there, they make their way through the streets of the village, surrounding countryside and along the cycle path before returning to the finish line at Birkmyre Fitness Gym.

Entry: * Unaffiliated Runners : £20 (until 30th Sep), £25 (until 6th Sep)

* Affiliated Runners : £18 (until 30th Sep), £23 (until 6th Sep)

* Registration Deadline : 6th September

Electronic chip timing will be used. Every runner will be issued with a timing chip. Runners required to book in on the day and collect race pack. Contact Jamie Cunningham: 01475 213123 e: jamie.cunningham@ inverclydeleisure.com w: https://www.entrycentral.com/kilmacolmraces

Birkmyre Women Free Rugby Fit Class

Wednesday’s 7pm - 8pm from 19th April, meet at Birkmyre Park. No experience necessary!

Our catering staff were rushed off their feet on Mothers Day when over 100 covers were booked for lunch. In addition, 75 attended our Sally Buxton Psychic Evening in March.

Many congratulations to our Generation Cup Winners, father and son Ronnie and Scott Palin. Many congratulations also to our gents club champion Stewart Watt who did the club proud again on the national stage winning the Craigmillar Open, winning by 3 clear shots with a final score of 267.

Ladies section update.

The season opened with the first Monthly Medal on 25th March. The winners were: Karen Ravenscroft (Div 1), May Hunter (Div 2) and Lana Wilson (Div 3). A ladies Stableford was held on 1st April and the winner was Lorna Bell, who also won the Calloway Competition on 8th April. Our Annodata Team have received a First Round Bye in this National competition. Our first “B” Team friendly takes place against Ralston Golf Club on 24th April. The OCRGC Ladies Open will be held on Thursday 6th July. Entry fee is £20 per couple, bookable via BRS/Golf Empire. Congratulations to all our winners and good luck to all team and general playing members for the year ahead.

And finally, a huge congratulations to our current Club Captain Derek Milne who recently turned 60 and held his celebrations in our clubhouse.

Their Quiz Team did go one stage better and reached the UK National Finals in Belfast. With a visit to Titanic Museum as part of the visit in the morning and a very credible effort in the Quiz Competition with all six teams taking part being separated by six points. This was a great achievement when we consider all The Bridge of Weir team are eligible for the competition next year. Well done Boys!!!

1st Bridge of Weir Company

The Boys’ of the 1st Bridge of Weir Company have had quite a run in national competitions not only reaching the Scottish Finals of the 5 aside football alas narrowly beaten in the final.

Brookfield Bowling Club

Over seventy Boys had a whale of a day recently at The Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys Fun Day. Games and fun were the order of the day. Story Time, Tuck Shop and even a Magician. Yes it was Magic.

Brookfield Bowling Club opened their green on 1st April in glorious weather for the time of year. The picture below shows Zoe, grand-daughter of Vice President Scott McLaughlin presenting flowers to Helen Dobson, Club Champion who threw the first jack and bowl. Forty six players then took part in a wappenshaw for the President’s prize.

We are now totally open and new members are extremely welcome. Please phone 07388 779215 or e-mail Brookfield.Bowls@gmail.com or pop down on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1.45pm and make yourself known.

Out and About

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society

The Kilmacolm Horticultural Society ended its series of winter lectures with an entertaining evening on the subject of Roses. Our thanks go to all our speakers who travelled a distance to share their specialist subjects with us.

The annual Coffee Morning and Plant Sale, traditionally at the beginning of May,has been brought forward one week,(not wishing to compete with the coronation on 6th May). So, on 29th April, in the Kilmacolm Community Centre at 10am, we’re are holding a Celebration Coffee Morning, with sparkling refreshments, royal raffle prizes, and a royal quiz. Plus the popular Plant Sale with top quality planting from Parklea Nurseries. Orders for the more tender bedding plants that cannot be planted out until after the danger of frosts will be kept safe in Parklea’s glasshouses, and delivered in mid-May. Everyone welcome - come and enjoy a pre-coronation toast to the King, lovely homebaking, and sparkling conversation with friends. Entry £4 at the door.

The summer outing on 7th June to Dumfries House and Gardens is fully booked, with the coach leaving the Kilmacolm main bus stop at 9.30am. Fingers crossed for sunshine.

The Syllabus for the annual Flower Show, to be held on 2nd September, will be sent to all members shortly. Please support the work of Kilmacolm Horticultural Society by joining for a small annual membership of £5 - email our secretary at jill.russ100@btinternet.com for application. We are looking for new exhibitors to enter the varied classes of the Flower Show and so we wish you a sunny summer of gardening with hopes of showing your favourite flowers or vegetables at the Show. Further details and photos on our website: www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com.

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers

A mixed month weather wise caused us to abandon one of our planned outings, however twelve of us make a three day trip to Windermere. We enjoyed brilliant weather on the day of our arrival, some climbed Silver Howe which gave a magnificent panorama over Grasmere, Rydal Water and beyond while others circumnavigated those lakes and visited Rydal Cave accessed via Loughrigg Fell. The second day saw a complete change in the weather but unperturbed, we walked to the ferry across Windermere then walked the Claife Heights circuit, in total a 20km walk during which we got absolutely soaked through (character building?). Thankfully our accommodation was superb, after hot showers, all the wet gear was soon dried out and the privations of the day quickly forgotten. The third day’s walk traversed varied terrain via Orrest Head, Allen Knott and Wansfell Pike to Ambleside.

Our next outing on Monday 9th was to visit the Three Brethren starting from Yarrowford near Selkirk. A steep uphill pull took us to the Three Brethren, three massive cairns built to mark the boundaries of three adjoining estates. In ideal spring sunshine the views of the rolling hills and valleys were memorable. We continued on past Broomie Law and on to Brown Knowe, the days high point, it was then a pleasant stroll back to the cars and refreshments in the Buccleuch Arms before heading for home.

Our next scheduled walk is The Fife Coastal Trail

Next Deadline...

#337 June 2023: 17th May

Colourful Kilmacolm

Well, as promised, we were treated to a wonderful display of daffodils and hyacinths. Did you wonder what the lovely scent was as you passed?

Our picture shows some of our committee and volunteers having a well-earned rest after removing lots of plants from a large section of the garden at Carriages which had got rather out of hand. All the bags were removed by Council staff shortly afterwards, thus saving us having to transport them ourselves. This will be the pattern from now on and we are grateful to Inverclyde Council for their help. The unwanted plants were replaced with a fair number of well-behaved ones which should give variety and colour to this area in the years to come. We know it looks a little bare at the moment, but real gardening needs patience. Members should note that our AGM will be held on Monday 15th May. As we will be celebrating our first 10 years it will be worth coming along! Anyone can join us and you have the option of helping out from time to time if that appeals. If you would like to be involved you can visit www.colourfulkilmacolm.org.uk or phone Peter (01505 872448) or Liz (07963973031) for more information.

Five of the party at Grasmere

RSPB Lochwinnoch

Well, it’s May already and Spring has truly arrived. All our winter visitors have gone and our summer ones have arrived. You can marvel at the house martins and swallows as they swoop over the surface of the loch, catching insects on the wing. As you walk the woodland trails, listen out for chiffchaff, blackcap, willow warbler and sedge warbler. You might even spot a nuthatch or spotted flycatcher nesting, or even feeding their young by keeping your eyes and ears open as you go along the trail. So if you have not visited us before, why not try something different and pay us a visit? You can walk the woodland trail, watch the wildlife, or let the kids go wild in the natural play area.

If you want to learn more about our feathered friends, then take part in our “Birding and Birdsong for Beginners” event by booking online. We have other events in May including our “Women only Wildlife Wander” which will be led by female staff and volunteers. And not forgetting our younger visitors, this month’s self-led activity is our “Safari Challenge”.

Our reserve shop continues to sell all your bird feeding requirements, binoculars, telescopes, and fancy goods.

For more information about the reserve, please call for further info please contact us: 01505 842663 or email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk

Facebook: @RSPBLochwinnochNR Twitter: @RSPBLochwinnoch or use our QR code which links to our events page for online booking

BRIGHTER BRIDGE OF WEIR - Hello Darling

Welcome, the darling buds of May. It’s not quite summer yet, but at least these bring with them a ray of optimism. The pictures are of Brighter Bridge of Weir’s newly reconstructed Woodland Garden, and show the first flowers of the new planting. We’re very hopeful that the site will be back better than ever.

The Group expects

delivery of the summer plants for the village’s tubs and baskets by the end of the month, or very soon after, so the village should be looking good for this year’s Gala Day on the 10th of June.

Summer is a busy time for Brighter Bridge of Weir, as the plants in the ‘street furniture’ require regular watering and general maintenance. If you could help, whether for just a couple of hours a week, a month, or even just now and then, please get in touch with us. You can send us a message on our Facebook page, or the ‘contact us’ page on our website www.brighterbridgeofweir.org You can also email info@brighterbridgeofweir.org, or simply phone Neil on 01505 613043 / 07969 642 487, or Dougie on 07810 722 806.

BRIDGE OF WEIR HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

May is always a favourite gardening month but this year gardeners, across the land, are checking the damage after a reasonable winter turned very cold and very wet. Many plants succumbed as did bulbs in pots, both new and well established. These popped up briefly then disappeared never to be seen again. Plants which are brown and lifeless may just be frosted, so scrape back a little bark and, if there’s a green outer ring underneath, the plant is still living. Give it a good feed of Fish, Blood & Bone which is a slow-release fertiliser, water and this might do the trick.

Canny gardeners will have raked over borders and removed weeds, then boosted soil temperatures with a covering of weed suppressant, old compost bags or cloches. Others will just have held back and planted late because of disappointing weather conditions. May temperatures are expected to be a little above average, with high pressure to the North. The Gardening Group is growing broad beans, sunflowers and potatoes and these should be developing well. Broad beans attract black aphids so nip the tops off the young foliage at first sight. As potatoes grow, earth up to cover the leaves. Be ready to stake your sunflowers, stabilise and water well.

This month our Plant Sale takes place on Saturday 13th May. We will be outside the Co-op with a selection of annual bedding from Parklea and home-grown plants. Find us there at 10o’clock till mid-day - unless sold out! On Thursday 18th, and by special request, we hold our Gardeners’ Question Time at 8pm in Freeland Church Hall. If you have a gardening problem, come along – you don’t have to be a member to ask a question!

For information, contact Donald Hepburn on 01505 612898 or follow us on Facebook.

The stump of a recently felled tree is becoming a feature (almost) all on its own.

First spring daffodils of the newly reconstructed Woodland Garden

Sunday 14 th May - Highwood, Kilmacolm

2pm - 5pm @ HigHWood, Lochwinnoch rd, Kilmacolm

Enjoy a beautiful woodland walk around 50 acres of native bluebells, primroses and wild garlic when Highwood opens it’s doors! This opening is raising funds for Buildher (buildher.org) a social enterprise owned by Orkidstudio. A delightful setting bordering the Green Water river with tumbling waterfalls and great outdoor space for children to run and explore and splash in the burn (under supervision). A haven of tranquility only three miles from the centre of Kilmacolm.

Directions: Take the B786 Lochwinnoch Road out of Kilmacolm and continue for approximately 2 miles. From Lochwinnoch take the B786 Kilmacolm road for approximately 6 miles. Then follow the yellow SGS signs. Stout footwear is recommended as the footpath is uneven and can be muddy in inclement weather. Dogs are welcome on a lead. Fantastic opportunity for lovers of wildflowers and photography.

Sunday 21 st May - Wraes, Houston

2pm - 5pm @ Wraes, Corseliehill road, nr Houston Pa6 7HU

Explore this tranquil seven-acre garden near Houston which has far-reaching rural views!

The garden has a variety of planting areas designed to take advantage of the natural terrain and be actively wildlife friendly. Raised formal herbaceous beds, several wildlife ponds, burnside walks, grass maze, spring garden, woodland with rhododendron collection (100 species). For those interested in growing their own food, there is a large no-dig productive area, with vegetables, fruit cage, orchard and wildflower meadow. There are lots of seating places to relax and enjoy the tranquility while the kids tackle the maze or just have a good run around! Also, delicious homemade cakes!

Directions: From Houston follow Barochan Road towards Langbank B789 for about 1 mile, turn left down Corseliehill Road. From Kilmacolm leave the village on Houston Road, past the golf course, turn left down Corseliehill Road for about 1 mile. Follow the yellow SGS signs.

Sunday 4 th June - Carruth, Bridge of Weir

2pm - 5pm @ CarrUTH, Bridge of Weir, Pa11 3sg

Mr and Mrs Charles Maclean. Nominated charity: Marie Curie 60%.

Over 20 acres of long-established rhododendrons, woodland with good bluebells, young arboretum and lawn gardens in a lovely landscaped setting. New landscaping carried out in 2020.

Directions: Access from the B786 Kilmacolm/Lochwinnoch road. From Bridge of Weir take the Torr Road until you get to the B786. Turn right and after about 100 metres, the garden entrance is on the right. About 3.5 miles from Kilmacolm and 5.5 miles from Lochwinnoch on the B786.

£5 / children free

HOWWOOD WILDLIFE & WOODLANDS (HWW) GROUP

The volunteers have had a busy time over the past two months with the introduction and planting of additional shrubs and plants to attract birds, bees, butterflies and insects to the Rhombus.

Additional work has been carried out by a Tree Surgeon on the large Ash tree which is approaching 100 years old, and bird and bat boxes are planned as is a new Bug Hotel.

Seating arrangements have been improved and a new bike rack installed at the side of the Rhombus Garden and four new 1/4 barrels will be sited at the entrance to the Triangle to replace the troughs which were on the perimeter fence.

This was the outcome of our planting for Spring, carried out in October last year.

Defibrillator Sites

• The Cornerstone, Greenock Rd • Bishopton Community Centre

• Co-Op • Old Ranfurly Golf Club • Ranfurly Castle Golf Club • Gate Hs, BoW Leather Works

• Elderslie Golf Club

• Outside Church Hall, Main St

• Co-Op

• Strathgryffe Tennis (reception)

• Old telephone box, Houston Rd, Crosslee

• Back of Houston Primary outer-side of playground fence

• Howwood Hall, Station Rd

• Christ the

Station Rd (carpark wall)

L INWOOD

• Onyx Leisure Centre

• Spar, Clippens Rd

Asda