Out and About

Colourful Kilmacolm

A minor milestone was passed last month when Colourful Kilmacolm celebrated the first ten years. As well as enjoying cake and bubbly, members attending the AGM heard Peter, our Chair, review achievements since 2013, accompanied by a slide show. A measure of the difference the group has made can be seen by comparing these two “before and after” photographs of the area near the old station. If you would like to be involved you can visit www.colourfulkilmacolm.org.uk or phone Peter (01505 872448) or Liz (07963 973031) for more information.

Brighter Bridge Of Weir

Roll out those lazy, hazy days...

Here comes summer; lazy days for some, but not for Brighter Bridge of Weir. Usually, our summer plants arrive around the end of May, but a mainly kind winter followed by a mostly cold and wet spring has created problems for many growers. We plan to have all the tubs and baskets in the village planted up in time for Gala Day, but at the time of writing, we have no definite date for delivery. Things could get a bit frantic.

Still, always look on the bright side — the Woodland Garden across from Livery Walk looks well on the way to recovery after the ‘remodelling’ work, and we’ve had a healthy donation from the Scottish Leather Group after their staff sold a load of Bridge of Weir Leather keyrings to raise funds for local causes.

As for those lazy days, if you happen to find yourself at a loose end during the summer months, you could do worse than help us out. We’re not looking for any long-term commitment, but an hour or two now and then would be a big help. We’re usually out from 10:30am until lunchtime on Mondays and Wednesdays and occasionally other days if necessary.

There’s more on our website (www.brighterbridgeofweir.org) and our Facebook page. You can also email info@brighterbridgeofweir.org or call Neil on 01505 613043 or 07969 642487.

The pictures below were recently taken in the Woodland Garden.

Bridge Of Weir Horticultural Society

June already - we’re nearly halfway through the year! This month’s forecast is mixed - but warmer temperatures will boost our vegetables, flowers and plants, many of which were bought at last month’s Plant Sale which was held on a sunny, Spring day. Start feeding your containers and baskets after mid-summer’s day. This month the Gardening Club is going to Dumfries House and we look forward to seeing the latest developments there. The Walled Garden will have matured as will the Arboretum. The Garden was built on a south facing slope with a built-in irrigation system, but the Arboretum was planted on boggy ground so the trees were dug into raised mounds to offset the damp. It will be interesting to see how both projects are progressing.

May was a busy month for the Gardening Club as we also supported other events. We held the much anticipated Gardeners’ Question Time, when members (and visitors) discussed their various horticultural problems. An oft-raised comment has been last winter’s weather which tested most gardens to their limits. A searing 40oC summer, then a plunge to below -10oC in December illustrated the effects of our increasingly volatile climate. Lack of “acclimation” is thought to be responsible. This is described as a prolonged wet and mild autumn and an early winter with temperatures suddenly dropping well below freezing. Locations, such as walls and surrounding vegetation, improved chances of survival, but container-grown plants succumbed, especially bulbs, established and new, when the cold reached the bulb root plates. The plants and trees which did cope well enjoyed good wood-ripening and new flower-buds. As a result we had a great show from hardy spring-flowering trees and shrubs, but by now, anything looking brown and sad....has died.

In July, we meet on Thursday 13th at 8pm in Freeland Church Hall. Our topic will be Wild Flowers – creating a patch in our gardens. Details from our Facebook Page or Donald Hepburn on 01505 612898.

Barshaw Gala Day

Saturday 17th June from 11am - 4pm at Barshaw Park Glasgow Road, Paisley. This is a free event!

It’s a fun day out for all the family where there will be the chance to enjoy live entertainment provided by local groups, fun inflatables, free face painting and children’s workshops, community and craft stalls and more. If that isn’t enough don’t forget Barshaw Park also has some fantastic play areas, a nature corner, a large pond, BMX area, plus model ride on train. Entry is free, so come along and join in an afternoon party in the park!

Renfrew Gala Day

Renfrew Gala Day will take place on Sunday 4th June with a full afternoon of free family fun and entertainment from 12noon - 5pm at Robertson Park Paisley Road, Renfrew PA4 8NF. This is a free event!