Clyde Life August/September 17 Issue 37

Clyde Life August/September 2017 Issue 37

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“Power to the People”

26

Ronnie Cowan MP Staying Stylish at Work – Style Files Teen Style Files Beacon Arts Centre August/September Preview

16

Scotland’s Boatshow Preview

30

Local Groups & Classes Money Matters Flying Lessons Before they Leave the Nest!

Gardening Column – Keeping One Eye on the Weather Lemon Butter Salmon with Fresh Mussels Recipe

Contributors this issue: Kieran Gallagher, Robert MacDonald, Stuart McMillan, Joanne Simms, Marilyn Thompson, Holly Thompson

August/September Issue 37 2017 Publisher: Life Magazines & Publications Ltd Editor Charles Briggs

6 8 9 14 16 18 22 24 26 30

Front Cover Photo Inverclyde Doors Open Day, Custom House, Greenock

Features Editor: Joanne Simms joanne@clydelife.co.uk Advertising Sales: Lisa Sanderson lisa@clydelife.co.uk

Contact Info: Editorial: 07788-923054 Advertising: 01505-871962 Email: editor@clydelife.co.uk Web: www.clydelife.co.uk Web Design: tspwebdesign.com Graphic Design: Simon Jones - Skep Design simon.jones@skepdesign.co.uk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Life Magazines and Publications Ltd does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 5

Power to the People Ronnie Cowan MP

When it comes to providing the infrastructure that our community relies on, we have traditionally looked to a local council to build and maintain roads, schools, utilities, public buildings and much more. We expect government, whether that be in Edinburgh, London or Brussels to fund these schemes. Once we have paid our tax we don’t expect to be out of pocket again to sustain local amenities therefore on the surface our options are limited.

The best projects, even if they are conceived with the best intentions, more often than not fail because of lack of funding.

My conundrum is, how far can any community empower itself in these circumstances? Why should any community or part of a community have to club together to purchase super-fast broadband when the folk down the road already get it? Across the globe there are fantastic community schemes that both satisfy a local need and are financially responsible. The Island of Eigg suffered many years of neglect until it was the subject of a community buy out. It now produces virtually 100% of its own electricity via the first grid in the world powered by a combination of wind, solar and hydro schemes.

This has been achieved with minimum impact to the Island’s

natural beauty as all the cables are underground. Similarly the City of Aspen Colorado’s electric system uses 100% renewable energy (46% hydroelectric, 53% wind power, 1% landfill gas).

The successful schemes satisfy a need for an entire defined community.

Would it be too much to say that Inverclyde could be self-sufficient in energy? And if it is, why?

What is lacking? The community spirit? Or is it just that we have devolved all the power making decisions that local communities used to have to governments and councils and now we see our role as critic and social media commentators.

The ‘Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act’ was supposed to empower citizens to utilise buildings in their community for the greater good. Some of the topics covered by the Act include, community planning; rights to buy lands; common good and participation in public decision-making. I would go further. The hills behind Inverclyde, the river that runs beside it, the rain that falls on it and the wind that blows through it should all be harnessed and utilised for the good of the community.

If you would like to read more of my thoughts on renewable

energy and Inverclyde then please read my ‘Island of Inverclyde’ document which is available on my website – https://ronniecowan. com/2016/08/17/the-island-ofinverclyde.

The task is not an easy one, and any future plan may be very different to what I have outlined. However, I believe Inverclyde has vast potential which requires unlocking.

It is said time and time again that an areas greatest asset is its people but rarely are they fully utilised. I think it is time the citizens of Inverclyde engaged fully with the decision making process that is being utilised in their interests. I am convinced that the combination of our own natural resources and the citizens of Inverclyde would be a combination that could produce significant changes and create a more ambitious prosperous community. It is with that in mind that I am researching different forms of citizens’ assemblies.

A body of people that truly represent their communities and come together to work in a collaborative fashion to create a better society.

The citizens of Inverclyde combined with the resources of Inverclyde can be a powerful force.

Ronnie Cowan MP, Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, 20 Crawfurd Street, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1LJ @clydelifemag ronnie.cowan.mp@parliament.uk Telephone: 01475 721 877

6 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

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theStyle files

by Marilyn Thompson

Work it.

Staying stylish at work this Summer.

It can be a little tricky getting the workwear balance just right at any time of the year but, add some hot weather into the mix and you could have a recipe for disaster! Don’t fret, there are ways to beat the heat and look professional.

Take away our workwear security blanket of coat, oversized scarf and trusty black opaques and we can feel cast adrift and confused. There’s no hiding behind these trusty stalwarts now - it’s time to embrace a new way of dressing, a lighter, fresher and more elegant way.

So, you’ve just come back from holiday, your sunbathing efforts have paid off and you are tanned

8 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

and relaxed - great, but a word of advice - no matter how sun kissed you are, please don’t be tempted to show more skin than appropriate and legs (for work) are best covered with some nice nude tights or hold ups.

In London last Summer, a professional young woman came out from a corporate workplace onto a busy street. Every head (including mine) turned to watch her. She seemed oblivious to the attention she was receiving as she glided over to hail a taxi, (which she had no trouble in getting!) She was elegant, well groomed, walked tall, and dressed beautifully (well cut knee length striped dress, simply

@clydelifemag

The teen STYLE Files

Festival Fashion

With music festivals galore in Britain this summer it’s time to perfect your festival look. In previous years sportswear was the style to be seen in, but this year ditch the 3 stripes and mesh in favour of a retro revival. Go with the carefree, happy and laid back style of the 70’s with off the shoulder florals, soft blues and browns and flowing chiffon blouses and dresses.

Fashion & Beauty NOTES belted at the waist and complimented with impeccable accessories - a lovely classic bag and good shoes).

She was a masterclass in dressing for work on a hot summer day.

By comparison, moments later another businesswoman rushed by in a basic black skirt that was way too tight and much too short, a blouse that’s buttons were straining to contain her bust, a black jacket that was poorly fitted and high heels that looked truly painful. She looked flustered and uncomfortable.

Heads turned again, but sadly, this time it was for all the wrong reasons.

The choice is yours - dress well at work and create a professional but stylish look by wearing well cut clothes. Choose pretty, lightweight, feminine dresses and versatile, multitasking separates - a fresh white or blue shirt and pencil skirt is a classic combination but by mixing up the fabrics and choosing eye catching patterns you can elevate the whole outfit. Add some simple accent jewellery and Wow! Although elegant women do appear effortlessly stylish, forward planning is required to look that good, so don’t risk leaving choosing your work outfit till the morning because almost guaranteed, something will crop up; an urgent email, snagged (nude) tights, a lost file, a sick dog, whatever - and boom, all good intentions go right out the window as you quickly throw on the first thing that comes to hand - Black skirt, boring blouse, opaques?

Working 9-5 (if only) - let’s do it in style this Summer!

Clyde Life Magazine

Switch your go to cross-body for a super chic belt bag Worn over an oversized shirt and cinched in at the waist - it’s practical and stylish - what more could you ask for?!

HAIR

Forget the cliché baseball cap, this summer, the bucket hat is the headwear to be seen in. Whether it be an authentic vintage number or a designer sequin embellished eye catcher like this one from Miu Miu.

GADGET Neon brights body paint

£4 www.hobbycraft.co.uk

Celebrity do’s & don’ts - Festival Fashion Do know colours that suit you Do accessorise thoughtfully Do wear your wristband for as long as you can!

Don’t go too ‘au natural’ Don’t forget that effortless style takes some effort!

Your Fashion Questions Answered?

Do - Gigi Hadid Don’t - Florence Welsh

Q - Hi Holly, I’m going to my first music festival - what should I wear on my feet? Amy 15.

A - Hi Amy, Definitely something comfy!! And if it’s in Scotland, probably waterproof! Hope you have a great time. Holly x Get in touch - To learn more about The FASHION Class for teens & children, the courses, camps and Birthday parties, or to tell me what you think and ask any questions, contact: holly@thefashionclass.co.uk or www.thefashionclass.co.uk www.clydelife.co.uk

|9

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When you arrive, you will be greeted & invited into the cabin by Santa himself, where he will be waiting to hear all about what you would like for Christmas.

After the visit with Santa it is a wave goodbye and back to the tractor trailer for a ride to the shed where you can enjoy a tea/coffee or some delicious hot food and take a look at the range Christmas decorations we have available.

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scotland’s illuminated woodland experience ets Tick ale on s w! no

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An elegant and ser

‘Wonderful - the way that businesse There is something serendipitous about the kitchen Affordable Luxuries created for Ingrid and Perry; it was the right time, right place and definitely the right kitchen.

Their old kitchen was failing and needed repairs and they knew they had to begin the daunting hunt for their new one.

By chance, when delayed on a shopping trip, Ingrid stepped through the door at Affordable Luxuries and knew she had come to the right place.

‘What I liked immediately was that there was never any pushing for a sale, David McMillan came out to design our kitchen and I made a lot of visits to the showroom. I was months in making the final decisions after hours of discussions but nothing was ever a bother,’ said Ingrid.

Ingrid and Perry wanted a modern, contemporary kitchen in an open-plan space with practical storage solutions, along with functional appliances and accessories.

For Ingrid, simplicity was the keyword. David said: ‘The use of two 900mm-wide and one 600mm-wide tambour worktop cabinets allowed us to take care of storage for Ingrid’s collection of small kitchen appliances and accessories; each tambour is equipped with three sockets which meant most of the appliances are ready to go whenever they are needed.’

Ingrid and Perry chose to have drawers under the worktops throughout the kitchen, except the corners and under the sink as this was where she planned to store bulkier items.

They decided on the Pronorm X-line range, without handles in soft off-white Crystal with a matt finish with no grooves or mouldings These were complemented by Catania oak grey PP edged laminate worktops from Pronorm complete with matching upstands and window sill.

12 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

A

ince 1999 s s s e n i s u b family @clydelifemag

rene kitchen

es used to be’

The Blanco Classic one-and-half-bowl inset sink was finished with a Blanco Max tap in chrome; a theme echoed throughout the design as the LED ceiling downlights, wall sockets and light switches are all in brushed chrome.

There is a Flex zone induction hob with cast iron griddle plate and also a Domino wok gas hob, along with a flush-fitted ceiling extractor hood over the peninsular in a stainless steel finish. An integrated dishwasher and the built-in wine cabinet complete the look.

Ingrid is delighted with the bespoke bookshelves Affordable Luxuries designed. ‘Do you know they even measured my cookery books to get the shelf heights right!

Ingrid aid: ‘With Affordable Luxuries everything was put in to suit my life, and done the way we wanted it, I can’t image any other kitchen company providing a service like them; Tom Macdonald explained everything to me at every step as he project managed the entire installation. They were wonderful - they were the way that businesses used to be. The whole experience was great and if we ever decide to move house and need another kitchen we would go straight back to them as I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

‘It is that kind of attention to detail that we loved. There is no wasted space anywhere.’

The kitchen features Siemens appliances: a single oven with steam; a combi oven with microwave, an integrated coffee machine and two warming drawers.

Read the full story and see more photographs at www.affordableluxuries.co.uk 52 - 54 Regent St, Greenock PA15 4NP | Tel: 01475 727774 | www.affordableluxuries.co.uk Clyde Life Magazine

SILESTONE

by COSENTINO

S

www.clydelife.co.uk | 13 CORIAN ©

Nostalgic & New! The Beacon Arts Centre team has done it again – created a new season of entertainment with a dazzling choice for everyone!

Summer is slowly drawing to a close, Autumn is on its way so we can all be forgiven for feeling a wee bit nostalgic.

And if you are in the mood for nostalgia, check out the Beacon Arts Centre programme because they have wonderful servings of feel-good musical memories sitting alongside some of the latest cuttingedge arts, music and drama around.

Sisters of Swing

MacFloyd are back again, with their tribute to Pink Floyd’s Animal album plus The Quo Experience a must for Status Quo fans.

How the team at the Beacon manage to come up with such an incredible mix to suit all tastes never ceases to amaze.

The Beacon doesn’t just take you back in time with music; there are some drama productions as well.

But meanwhile, back to nostalgia!

Totally Tina!

Tribute concerts include Totally Tina! A Vision of Elvis, Divas Unleashed (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner and Britney Spears).

For a little bit further back in time, check out Sisters of Swing, a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Nina Simone amongst others and The Andrews Sisters is a recreation of the famous sound backed by the Moonlight Serenade orchestra UK, or try Sing, Sing, Swing with the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Matt Munro amongst others and Mad4Musicals, featuring songs from everyone’s favourite shows.

Rock of Ages sees Greenock Light Opera Club go back to the 1980s and Barry Steel and Friends recreate the music of Roy Orbison. Enjoy an evening of The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and a

special visit of Just Beatles, one of the top tribute bands.

14 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

One that is sure to score is Mon Eh Ton! With G.I.P Theatre Company presenting this comedy drama about the history Greenock Morton, complete with video of old match footage. Or try The Lynching: the last rounds of Benny Lynch, the story of the flyweight boxing champ from the Gorbals; The Lions of Lisbon has a cast of 10 and a live band celebrating that famous Celtic @clydelifemag

and ghosts take to the streets of Inverclyde – you are invited to go along dressed up!

Barry Steel and Friends

Butterfly Joe Langthorne

victory in Portugal in 1967.

Butterfly and Out of the Bad remember the 103-day occupation of the Caterpillar factory in Uddingston in 1987.

Dougie MacLean

Coal

Coal marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the British Miners Strike, complete with dance theatre, a local cast of women and a live brass band.

The Beacon is also home to fantastic local talent and this autumn the Beacon Youth Theatre Primary Classes take to the stage with a show they have devised, written by Marianne Yeomans, called Wheesht!

Well-known names also coming to the Beacon this Autumn include Joe Langthorne, Dominic Kirwan and Lisa Stanley, Dougie MacLean, and Scottish Opera.

There are some incredible magic shows, including one with Sooty for the kids to enjoy and also Hairy Maclary of storybook fame!

Hairy Maclary

Wheesht!

When the clocks go back and the nights grow long join them to sail through the cracks in time.

Bogles, sea snakes, witches

It is another Great Season at Beacon Art Centre so go online or pick up a programme you are sure to find plenty to go along and see or join in.

For information and to book www.beaconartscentre.co.uk 01475 723 723 Clyde Life Magazine www.clydelife.co.uk Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock, PA15 1HJ | 15

Soon be Boat Show time again!

Come and celebrate the best of Scotland by land and sea at Scotland’s Boat Show over the weekend of October 13 – 15 at Kip Marina.

THIS is one of the biggest boat shows in the UK, but what makes Scotland’s Boat Show so special is that it has grown into an event which showcases so much of what makes living in Scotland so great.

The magnificent coastal waters of Scotland are there for you to discover and so are some of the best foods and products created here.

There is even a pavilion dedicated to getting you onto the water for the first time.

dinghies and other craft on display

Last year the total value of boats for sale at the show topped the £15 million mark; there were vessels there from a humble £500 up to £1 million.

This year promises even more.

industries will be at Kip Marina.

Brokers and manufacturers are showing powerboats, yachts,

it has the reputation of being the

16 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

from prestigious manufacturers; the cream of marine service This is the third biggest boat show in the UK after London and Southampton. It is the largest brokerage show in the UK and destination of choice for those

@clydelifemag

seeking an unrivalled range of high quality pre-owned boats.

To complement the boats there is a selection of the world’s top names in clothing and equipment.

The marine trade exhibitors can be found in the RYA Scotland Pavilion.

Clyde Lifestyle Marquee

If you are new to the water the Get on the Water Pavilion is the place for you with everything you need to know to go boating for the first time, sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde.

Foodies mingle with the yachties, making their way to sample all the delights of the nation’s larder in the West College Scotland Food and Drink Pavilion and the marina’s own Chartroom Restaurant and the food trucks dotted around the pavilion.

Nick Nairn will once again be demonstrating recipes using fine Scottish produce – all superb but simple dishes you can recreate at home.

Food & Drink Pavillion

The stars of the Clyde Lifestyle pavilion are the Scottish craftsmen and women who produce clothing, textiles, furniture, paintings and prints you will never see on the high street. The range of products and prices is so wide there is something for everyone making the pavilion a perfect place to begin your Christmas shopping for gifts, Christmas dinner and entertaining.

More than 16,000 people visit the Scotland’s Boat Show each year, come and join them.

Clyde Life Magazine

Nick Nairn Demonstrations

www.clydelife.co.uk | 17

CLASSES | GROUPS | AND LOCAL CLUBS Clyde Life publishes details of classes, groups and clubs located within the magazine distribution area.

If you are looking for new members or want to publicise an event please let us know.

To be included in the magazine and on the website please send details to charles@clydelife.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing Classes Class

Time

Location

Day

Teacher

Yogabellies Children’s Yoga 3-12yrs Yoga & Meditation - Beginners 7-8:30pm Boglestone CC Mon Jacci Stoyle Yoga & Meditation - Intermediate 7-8:30pm Boglestone CC Wed Jacci Stoyle Yoga 7-8:30pm Westburn Church Mon Aileen Hughes Yoga 2-3:30pm Westburn Church Tue Aileen Hughes Hatha Yoga 7-8pm Lyle Kirk Wed Flora MacKenzie Hatha Yoga - Beginners 8-9pm Lyle Kirk Wed Flora MacKenzie Hatha Yoga 2-3pm Inverkip CC Thu Flora MacKenzie Birsay Yoga 9:30am Gourock Tue Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 7:30pm Gourock Tue Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 7:45pm Inverkip Wed Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 6:15pm Largs Mon Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 9:30am Largs Thu Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 7:30pm Largs Thu Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 10:30am Largs Sat Joanna Ritchie Yoga 9:30-10:30am Kilmacolm Tue Jacqueline Gibson Yoga 9:30-10:30am Kilmacolm Fri Jacqueline Gibson Yoga 7:45-9:15pm Greenock Tue Patricia Ralston Yoga 10-11:30am Bridge of Weir Tue Sara Marijuan-Tuck Yoga 10-11:30am Bridge of Weir Thu Sara Marijuan-Tuck Yoga 7-8:30pm Bridge of Weir Thu Sara Marijuan-Tuck Pilates - Beginners & Improvers 6pm Beacon Arts Wed Jenn Forbes Pilates - New beginners 7pm Beacon Arts Wed Jenn Forbes Pilates - Mixed Intermediate 8pm Beacon Arts Wed Jenn Forbes Pilates 6:15-7:15pm Houston Mon Kate Black

Dance Classes

Elite Academy of Dance Ballet Silver Swans Ballet (over 50s) Silver Swans Ballet (over 50s) Scottish Country Dancing

11-12pm 11-12pm 8pm

Greenock Greenock Greenock Greenock

Contact Details 01475 745552/744404 07790 262124 07790 262124 01475 801613 01475 801613 fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk 07518 373073 07518 373073 07518 373073 07518 373073 07518 373073 07518 373073 07518 373073 07851 735357 07851 735357 01475 785685 07962 347950 07962 347950 07962 347950 07713 643693 07713 643693 07713 643693 katiescotts@hotmail.com

Every day www.theeliteacademyofdance.co.uk Tue www.silverswansballet.co.uk Thu www.silverswansballet.co.uk Mon Jennifer Murrin 01475 633096

Camera Clubs

Digital Camera Club 7:30pm Langbank

2nd & 4th Mon Derrick McPherson of the month Langbankcc1@gmail.com

Greenock Camera Club Kilmacolm Camera Club Inverclyde Camera Club

Greenock Kilmacolm Gourock

Thu Tue Fri

Greenock Gourock Greenock Lunderston Bay Bridge of Weir

Thu Stuart Anderson Mon Tue Fri Ann MacLeod Mon Marion Wed Dave Souza Every 2nd Thu Keith

7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm

Other Clubs & Groups

MS Activities Group 11-1pm Fort Matilda Bridge Club 7pm Inverclyde Sky Watchers 3-5pm Inverclyde Ramblers 12:15pm Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Games Society

18 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

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Can investors time the market?

Timing is everything! Life’s financial guru, Robert MacDonald looks at market timing – It’s not as easy as it looks.

By Robert MacDonald

Now is the summer of our discontent, full of political, geo-political and other negative comment.

Remember that equity markets tend to be cyclical. Positive periods are followed by negative, followed by positive.

So it is common when markets are - or perceived to be - falling to ask is it possible to time investments to sell at the peaks and buy back at the troughs?

You could analyse forward-looking information such as economic and corporate/company data and make predictions about market direction.

But it is really REALLY hard to make predictions, especially about the future!

Or you could look back at data from previous cycles and identify patterns that could repeat, going forward.

Researchers at Dimensional Fund Advisors did exactly this, running almost 800 tests on data from 15 world equity markets to identify signals that might point to a change of market cycle, simulating the trading activity that might improve investment returns.

Most of the 800 tests failed and resulted in worse performance than would have been achieved by just going with the ups and downs of the market.

Is now a good time to be in the market.

But some of the tests worked, producing positive results.

their trading to coincide with the market’s peaks and troughs.

You might think this is good news for investors – that they can replicate the trading patterns.

Unfortunately, the positive results were no greater than one might expect with such a large number of tests.

Dimensional conducted another long-term US study (45 years) in relation to market timing that showed the outcome if you were ‘out of the market’ awaiting the best time to re enter when you felt it was a ‘good time’ to buy back in.

The odds of one person coin flipping 10 heads in a row are small. But if you asked 100 people to try, you would expect around five of them to be successful.

The same proportion of the 800 market tests were positive and the research was unable to determine if this was just a sequence of lucky coin tosses.

As you can see, if you were in cash and not in the market, and missed the best one day’s performance, your return would have reduced by over 10 per cent.

The conclusion is that, on average, investors are better off sticking to their long-term investment goals and riding out short-term market volatility, rather than trying to time

And so when you hear the phrase ‘It’s all about time IN the market and not about market timing’, you will have a much better sense of what this all means.

Astonishingly, if over that 45 year period, you missed the best 25 days your return would have reduced by a whopping 75 per cent.

The views in this article are personal and provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as recommendation by the publisher or investment advice by the contributor as laid down by the Financial Conduct authority.

T: 01475 638100 | www.macdonaldandco.com The costs of this advert have been met from Parliamentary resources.

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Inverclyde

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 September 2017 www.doorsopendays.org.uk Follow us on Clyde Life Magazine @inverclyde and #Inverclyde

www.clydelife.co.uk | 23

s n o s s e Flying l

By Jo Simms

before they leave

t s e n e h t

Flash back to 21 years ago and the day before my youngest sets off for university.

‘Dan. . .’

‘Yeah?’

‘Tomorrow’s a big day, you’re off on your own, properly, for the first time. We need to have a bit of a talk about the facts of life…’

He shot me a look of teenage contempt which managed to let me know he’d been there, done that, and (thanks to a merciful God) not caught something nasty along the way.

‘Pleeaase! there’s no need to tell me about THAT!’ ‘I should hope not, Daniel, but this is a bottle of Domestos and this, this is a lavatory brush; it’s a fact of life that lavs don’t clean themselves.’

Ten minutes later he was well-versed in this major art of sanitation then frog-marched down to the kitchen to have the mysteries of fridge management, why you scrub things after raw chicken and the unblocking of plug holes revealed unto him. I also threw in the best way to deal with puke as a bonus.

Your kids are smart enough to go to uni but have you made sure they know the REAL facts of life? empowering; if they choose not to follow this advice, it is their decision. If you don’t equip your kids with these skills then you keep them tied to your apron strings, infantilised, which is kind of creepy.

University is about finding out who you are; achieving magnificent successes, learning from spectacular failures and going out into the world fully-equipped for a great life.

Make sure your kids enter uni with the basics covered so that they can spend all their time, money and effort doing just that and not wasting any of those resources on catching-up on the obvious.

Here’s the thing which appals and terrifies me in equal measure: we live in a country where parents, wearing their pyjamas, drop their kids off at infant classes and some of these children are still not completely toilet-trained or know how to sit and use cutlery properly to eat a meal.

At the other end of the school system children intelligent enough to gain places at universities still believe in a kind of tooth-fairy who magically produces food, laundry and a clean, safe place to live.

You are not doing your children any favours if they cannot stand on their own two feet. Forget gender roles: whether male, female or fluid they all need to know the basics of cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting and personal health and safety before they fly the nest. You are not nagging you are

24 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

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By Kieran Gallagher, Cardwell Garden Centre As I get older I find myself mentioning the weather in conversation a lot more. We gardeners are known for having one eye on the forecast and with good reason.

This year has been fairly typical weather for the west of Scotland in that we have had a bit of everything, often in one day! The cold snaps through May and June were a problem and stunted the growth of many bedding plants and crops.

Now that the temperatures are steady in the teens, the soil has reached optimum temperature for growing and things are truly underway. My own garden has been growing at a ferocious rate, particularly the grass and the weeds.

Grass should be trimmed little and often. If dry spells last more than a few days, watering the lawn will be very beneficial. Weed treatments and fertilisers will work at their best now the temperatures are up and a high nitrogen lawn food like Miracle Gro soluble will ensure the grass remains green and lush.

26 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

There are numerous potential problems with lawns, from the obvious weeds and moss, to parasites and pets. There simply isn’t enough space to detail all the remedies in the column, so if you do have a particular issue the best thing to do is take a picture or two of the affected area and bring it into us at Cardwell Garden Cente. We normally ask customers to bring part of a diseased plant in to the garden centre, but you cannot bring your lawn in!

The heavy showers and high winds we have had are not kind to hanging baskets or bedding plants. If you have damaged plants for whatever reason the simplest and easiest solution is to remove them and replace them. Lots of garden centres, including Cardwell, still have a good selection of summer bedding and many at reduced prices. Don’t worry about how long they will last, as long as the plants are healthy when you buy them they will flower well into September or whenever the first frost arrive.

@clydelifemag

If the plants are not healthy when they are on sale then walk away, unless they are cheap enough and you have the time to give them some TLC for 2-3 weeks to nurse them. I recently got some herbs that were not fit for sale and 3 weeks later they look great.

Cardwell Garden Centre started to stock lawnmowers and power tools again this year and I have been testing some of our Webb machinery this month.

tire before making any inroads. It has been irritating me recently, so I had reached the point I had to deal with it.

So I bought a Webb petrol powered strimmer and borrowed a hedgetrimmer from our commercial business and set about the area.

It took about 6 or 7 hours to clear the whole area down to ground level, but it was not hard work. The Webb strimmer balances perfectly

on the harness and it really was easy to use, even for a somewhat overwheight chap like myself! It cut through even the thickest of bramble stems (apporx 1�/2.5cm), which I would not recommed doing with your strimmer, but was a good test for this purpose.

The moral of the story is simply use the right tool for the job and save yourself and your back a lot of misery.

I have a piece of waste ground next to my house that no-one takes ownership of and it has become a mass of brambles, nettles are bracken over the last few years.

Some of the nettles were taller than me and the brambles resembled a barbed wire fence that you might see in a war film!

I have tried weedkillers and scythes on the area, but I always

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Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 27

Stuart McMillan MSP

Five days & 42 stadiums

Piping and football, what more could an MSP want, asks Stuart McMillan, especially when both raise cash for good causes.

The #Pipeathon2017 challenge was me piping at each of the 42 senior football clubs across Scotland in five days.

The clubs were hugely supportive throughout, and Greenock Morton FC and the SFA have been particularly helpful.

I had the idea as far back as 2008 but found out my wife was expecting our second child in the summer of 2009 so the idea was put on hold. There have also been quite a few elections and other activities since then...

The tour began on July 17 at Cappielow in Greenock and ended on 21 July at Hampden in Glasgow.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were hugely supportive and as part of their help I used fire stations along the way for accommodation. This helped cut down on cost. McDonald’s also supported the challenge, keeping us sustained throughout the trip.

Arnold Clark provided a car for the week and EE gave extra mobile data to ensure we kept people updated with how the event unfolded.

Stuart McMillan MSP Member of Scottish Parliament for Greenock & Inverclyde Constituency

26 Grey Place, Greenock PA15 1YF Tel: 01475 720 930 E: stuart.mcmillan.msp@parliament.scot

28 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

There were two of us on the challenge; Matthew who who drove and myself. I am the Scottish Parliamentary Piper, so you can see why I was intent on using this position to its fullest.

I have also included links, listed below, to both the #Pipeathon2017 Facebook page and the Just Giving page.

Even though I have now piped at the grounds, the #Pipeathon2017 is not over. Both pages will remain live for a short while, so if you would like to find out more or donate via the JustGiving page you will be able to do so.

Any support you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Being able to combine two things I enjoy, football and piping, for excellent causes was something I have wanted to do for some time and this #Pipeathon2017 did just that.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pipeathon2017/ Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/pipeathon2017

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www.clydelife.co.uk | 29

LEMON BUTTER & PARSLEY CHIVE SALMON WITH FRESH MUSSELS served with crusty bread or potatoes and vegetables

Ingredients • 1 Scottish salmon • Small bag of mussels • 100g butter • Shallots - sliced • Chopped chives • Small handful of chopped parsley • 1 clove garlic finely chopped • 50ml of white wine • 1 lemon • 200ml creme fraiche • Maldons flaked sea salt

Seafood! A chilled white wine, sun is shining and this easy salmon and mussel dish should make the perfect evening either for yourself or with others!

Firstly the mussels, buy a fresh bag of mussels and de beard/scrub them all and throw away any open ones. Store them either in the fridge or on some ice cubes. Find a pot with a lid and set aside.

We start off with the salmon, pre heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and in an oven proof dish - put half the butter and salmon in the dish and season. Cover with foil and place it into the oven for roughly 15 mins the salmon should be perfectly cooked and still moist.

Whilst the salmon is in the oven, melt the remainder of the butter in the pan and fry the shallots. Add the garlic once the shallots turn brown and after about 20 secs add the white wine and chives and reduce slightly. Add the

mussels, give it a good stir and place the lid on.

The mussels will open up after 5 or 10 mins, set aside and throw away all the closed ones.

This is quite a rustic dish so you can either serve it with fresh home baked bread, a fresh loaf from your local supermarket or alternatively have it with some potatoes and vegetables!

Scoop out the mussels and place it into a bowl with the salmon. Pour the salmon jus into the mussels and simmer and reduce by half. Finally stir in the creme fraiche and squeeze some lemon over the top and add chopped parsley.

Pour the sauce over the top and enjoy with dipping the bread into the sauce!

The Chefs Eye is a new small and intimate brasserie style restaurant based in Nelson Street, Largs.

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The fully licensed restaurant is open for select hours which can be viewed online or on Facebook. It is also available for private dining events and functions.

Visit www.chefseye.co.uk to sign up for the online newsletter or call 01475 673215 or email: reservations@chefseye.co.uk to book a table.

30 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017

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The Scottish Food Market at Kip Marina Sunday 13rd August 11am– 4pm Treat your tastebuds at Kip Marina’s Food Market Whether it’s a sweet tooth you want to satisfy, catch some fine fish or take home some magnificent Scottish meat then join us on Sunday 13th August between 11am & 4pm.

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32 | Clyde Life – August/September 2017 Call 01475 520919 • thechartroom.co.uk

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