ward 1 cllr david wilson

Network Officers at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport have carefully assessed the 6 month trial subsidy of the 530 McGill’s Bus service from Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow. The patronage could be better, but for many it is their only lifeline to attend work, health centres, further education and the Inverclyde Royal Hospital. The subsidy has been extended for a further 3 years at a cost of £187,404 (£62,468 pa).

Bus patronage (80-90%) has not recovered from the pandemic and there are significant increases in operating costs (+25%) and a shortage of drivers. We are seeing many route and timetable changes in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Ayrshire. Inverclyde retains an excellent bus service. SPT administers 27 Home to School Transport contracts carrying some 990 pupils in Inverclyde. In the main matters run smoothly, but a shortage of taxi drivers did cause a few problems on the run to Port High. These have been resolved. With monies from the Scottish Government we will offer every child from P1-7 access to a healthy, nutritious lunch at no cost to their families from the start of the 2023/24 term in August. I am delighted that it is universal as everybody needs a wee help with current costs of living.

KPS had a peer group assessment on HMI objectives ie leadership, equality/inclusion, learning and raising attainment and achievement. The school was assessed as having one excellent and three very goods. This is excellent and matches previous successful tests on literacy and numeracy.

I am looking forward to the presentation of prizes ceremonies at St Columba’s junior and senior schools. Splendid affairs graced by Dame Eleanor Laing, deputy speaker of the House Of Commons.

The cattle show had great weather. The society has now had a successful agricultural show and whist drive. Carriages ran an excellent Coronation function. Outlook in the Kidston Hall was similarly well attended with their Regal special.

We had one Osprey nest last year and two chicks were ringed. One of the youngsters landed in Barbados instead of North Africa, probably hitched a lift on a ship.

“The Steamie” was quite superb and thoroughly deserved the adulation and encores at the end. The Kilmacolm Dramatic Society deserves great praise for their presentation of a Glasgow classic. Roll on the Panto.

I am supportive of the new pavement at St James Terrace, except for the over enthusiastic application initially of cones and traffic lights. I had received complaints about the pavement and it is important that we maintain the fabric of the village.

Surgeries: Saturday 17th June 10am - 11am at the Cargill.

Kilmacolm & Houston Rock Choir Concert

The Kilmacolm & Houston Rock Choir invite you to come along to an end of term performance held at the Killellan & Houston Church, Kirk Road, in Houston on Thursday 22nd June at 7pm. The choir will be singing a host of upbeat feel good songs and will be led by Rock Choir Leader Jennifer from Kilbarchan. The performance will be signed by The Hands That Rock Leader Stacey Stockwell. All welcome! The performance will last around an hour and is not ticketed, with donations on the door going to Alzheimers Scotland. For more information about local rehearsals or to find out more about Rock Choir visit www.rockchoir.com

Kilmacolm Dramatic Society

Our Spring Production of ‘The Steamie’ lived up to everyone’s expectations. Every night, we played to almost full houses - with the audience’s wholehearted participation and appreciation. We would like to thank you all most sincerely for your continued support of our productions.

From the feedback we received, everyone’s experience was greatly enhanced by our improved sound system; including an audio loop. Our thanks to Inverclyde Council’s Community Grants Scheme for their most welcome contribution to this project.

Planning is already underway for the Winter Show. Our pantomimes always have a big cast and an army of volunteers working backstage to bring the show to life. If you’re at all interested in being part of our show, on stage or behind the scenes, this is a great opportunity for you to join us. Check out our website to get contact details: kilmacolmdramaticsociety. co.uk. or call Mandy our secretary on 07719 309960.

St Columba Church Coronation Lunch

On Sunday 7th May we had a wonderful time with over 50 people attending.

All thanks to Agnes McGarva, her family and members of St Columba for all of their hard work.

Windy Hill Art Club Inaugural Exhibition

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

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. Hope to see you there and hear your feedback on our first exhibition.

Kilmacolm Old Kirk

SOLAS: The Solas bereavement drop-in group will be meeting in the Lounge of the Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm, on Thursday 8th June 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 1st June - St Columba’s Junior School flautist group visit. Thursday 15th June - Old Kirk elder Stuart Wilson in conversation to describe his footsteps in life that have led to his decision to undertake training in the Ministry for the Church of Scotland.

OUTLOOK held a special afternoon two days prior to the King’s Coronation, when Renfrewshire Lord-Lieutenant Colonel Peter McCarthy welcomed everyone with a short summary of his ensuing journey to Westminster Abbey for the Coronation, displaying his royal invitation for attendance. We were most grateful for his words of wisdom, with a prayer. He handed over a letter for the Old Kirk, from Buckingham Palace, which conveyed the King and Queen’s thanks and good wishes to all communities that had organised celebrations to mark the Coronation. The happy afternoon included a Coronation quiz, flower arranging competition, and a superb royal raffle draw, concluding with a sparkling afternoon tea made by the OUTLOOK team.

OUTLOOK is a social community group led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk, extending fellowship and friendship and a warm welcome to everyone. The group meets In Kidston Hall on 1st and 3rd Thursdays monthly from 2pm to 3.30pm. A delicious afternoon tea is provided by the volunteer team. Meetings traditionally enjoy a guest speaker, or videos, quiz, tombola, easy keep fit.

GOOD BOOK CLUB: Tuesday 20th June. The Good Book Club will meet in the Kidston Hall Lounge at 7.30pm. The book discussed will be ‘The Strawberry Girl’ by Lisa Stromme, a former Kilmacolm resident. Everybody is welcome to attend.

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 http://kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk/

I have received a generally positive reaction to the pavement improvements in the centre of Kilmacolm. While the works are causing some disruption, hopefully the short-term pain will prove to be worth it. These works are being financed from special funding from the Scottish Government and not from the Council’s roads’ budget.

Following the rejection of a petition from residents asking for a formal pedestrian crossing on St James’ Terrace, the Council’s Environment & Regeneration Committee has asked Officers to look at alternative options for improving pedestrian safety at this location and report back to the Committee.

At the time of writing the play area extension in Birkmyre Park is nearing completion. Officers are still considering the best option for lowering the picnic tables.

The Council is currently consulting on a new scheme of establishment for community councils in Inverclyde. There are no fundamental changes that affect Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s other than a suggested change to the name from ‘Kilmacolm Community Council’ to ‘Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village Community Council’ to better reflect the area the community council covers. Community Councils play an important role in representing the views of their residents to the Council and other public bodies. If you are interested in finding out more why not come along to the next meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council at 7.30pm on 27th June in Kilmacolm Community Centre.

The Council’s Education and Communities Committee has approved a proposal to extend universal free school meals to all pupils in P6 & P7 from August, a year in advance of the Scottish Government’s target date. The Council can do this as we don’t need as much funding from the Scottish Government as other Councils due to the modern kitchen and dining facilities we already have in our schools.

SurgerY: Kilmacolm Community Centre on Tuesday 13th June from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Angel Voices Community Children’s Choir

Come and Join us for 10th Anniversary Celebrations St Fillan’s Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm

Sunday 9th June: A Musical Thanksgiving Service at 4pm with refreshments in the hall afterwards.

Friday 16th June: Choir Concert at 6pm. We would be delighted if former choir members and their families would like to come to the 10th Anniversary Events! Contact: Maureen Russell: email maureenmrussell@hotmail.com Tel: 07905 950028.

Free Dementia Singing Sessions

Until Tuesday 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.