JUN/JUL 2019 ISSUE 48

WHAT’S ON?

OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO EVENTS IN YOUR AREA

GP TURNS AUTHOR

ANNE PETTIGREW

200 WATT

BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS Clyde Life Magazine

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2 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

STEAM POWERED!

G

08

reenock-boy-done-good, James Watt, invented the steam engine and before you knew it all of Glasgow was going Doon the Watter for the Fair weekend on a steamer.

We are celebrating both: the bicentennial of the genius who kickstarted the industrial revolution and the joys of a holiday on or beside the Clyde. Both the river and industry have made us what we are today and we can always be proud of them both and their places in history. Enjoy these early summer months. Why not take to the water or spend time beside it; there is no better remedy for all the stress of modern life.

Book Review Style Files

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Summer Jobs James Watt Ronnie Cowan MP What’s on at the Beacon Doon the Watter Cardwell Gardening Tips Recipe

June/July 2019 Issue 48 Publisher: Wyvex Media Ltd On the cover: James Watt statue taken by SimonHS (Shutterstock)

Sales Executive: Julie Baird jbaird@obantimes.co.uk Features Editor: Joanne Simms joanne@westendlife.biz

08 12 14 17 18 20 22 24 30

Contact Info: Advertising: 01631 568000 Email: editor@clydelife.co.uk Web: www.clydelife.co.uk Website Design: plbwebdesign.co.uk Graphic Design: Grant Dickie - Scottish Field gdickie@scottishďŹ eld.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. Wyvex Media 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.

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The revolution starts here The genius of engineer James Watt powered the industrial revolution

T

he James Watt Library and McLean Museum are being renamed as The Watt Institution in honour of the Greenock-born inventor and mechanical engineer to mark this year bicentennial year of his death.

Inverclyde Council is at the midpoint of a year-long series of events for the 200th anniversary of James Watt’s death; including a ‘virtual walk’, a joint venture between the World Walking exercise app and Kilmacolm Primary School. The walk starts in Greenock and ends in Cornwall taking in key locations in Watt’s life. Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener for education and communities, said, ‘Inverclyde Council will be marking the achievements of its famous son throughout 2019 with a number of events including the relaunch of the Watt Institution. There will also be an associated art exhibition in the Beacon Arts Centre in August 2019.’ James Watt’s double condensing steam engine was the powerhouse behind the Industrial Revolution. He was born on 19 January 1736 and died on 25 August 1819. He became interested in the technology behind steam engines, when working as an instrument maker at the University of Glasgow, especially finding a way to make them more efficient; at that time engines repeatedly cooled and reheated the cylinder. His design improvement included a separate condenser. Watt’s partnership with Matthew Boulton led to Boulton and Watt in Birmingham, which not only produced these new steam engines but pioneered mass production and the assembly line, reducing the cost of the engines at Soho in Birmingham.

‘Watt: the power house behind the industrial revolution’

Birmingham Museums is also staging Watt 2019 celebrations throughout the year at various venues including its museum at Soho House. Watt’s talents included that of scientific instrument maker, civil engineer, chemist, inventor and he was one of the original members of the Lunar Society alongside his business partner Boulton, and Erasmus Darwin and Josiah Wedgewood. This society of industrialists and intellectuals met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham, always on the full moon, to make their journeys home safer by its extra light.

6 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

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Clyde Life Magazine

Ambition, entitlement and ill-judged sex! If you want a good read may we prescribe Anne Pettigrew

A

fter 31 years as a GP in Greenock Anne Pettigrew has turned to fiction.

Award and is collecting excellent review on Amazon and Goodreads.

This comes after a career which also included journalism with The Herald and the medical press; psychiatry and women’s health and an aim to pen novels about women doctors whom she believes are largely unrepresented in literature, unless as pathologists or in Mills and Boon.

Glasgow-born Anne is a graduate of Glasgow followed by an Oxford MSc. When she retired she took creative writing classes at the University of Glasgow. ‘Not the Life Imagined was aimed as an entertaining read set in the changing social and sexual mores of sixties Scotland,’ she said. The book is by Glasgow Ringwood.

Not The Life Imagined is a wry tale of ambition, entitlement and the consequences of ill-judged sex amongst Sixties medical students, some of whose public facades hide terrible private secrets. A suicide, research theft and disappearing bodies trouble conscientious shipyardworker’s daughter Beth as she struggles to become a doctor against the discrimination and sexual harassment prevalent in her time. If the work is hard, coping with colleagues like arrogant surgeon Conor, proves even harder. It is set in a time when the word sexism hadn’t been coined and the #MeToo movement was decades away. Today’s female graduates might be shocked. The book was runner-up in the SAW Constable

published non-profit

‘The book will benefit PlanUK which strives to reduce the horrendous figure of 130 million girls world-wide currently denied education. I am eternally grateful to have been State funded for my medical career,’ said Anne. Book number two is now well under way at the home she shares with her husband in Skelmorlie. Anne Pettigrew is a member of both the Glasgow Writers Group and Greenock Writers Club. Not the Life Imagined Anne Pettigrew Ringwood Publishing Paperback ISBN: 978-1-901514-70-4

‘There have been many books written about the world of medicine, but Anne Pettigrew brings a fresh voice and moral authority to the subject. Well-written and lively...’ author Simon Brett, OBE, FRSL.

8 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

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30 | ClydeClyde Life End – June/July 2019 West Life Magazine Life Magazine

theStyle files

by Marilyn Thompson

W

hile of course you can, and most definitely should, wear just whatever you fancy, for those of you who like to keep up to date with the ever changing trends in fashion, then here, for what it’s worth, is my guide to Summer 2019’s top hits along with some pretty big misses! Let’s begin with the 80’s. This trend refuses to relinquish its hold over recent seasons and continues well into summer and beyond. The 80’s influence is seen across everything from clothes to accessories and is now also creeping into sportswear apparently, leotards and legwarmers are making a comeback! The good includes blazers, blouses and shirts - all with defined, structured shoulders, there is also fabulously decorative chain belts, bold statement gold jewellery and plenty of pretty bows. I particularly like the 80’s inspired collection by Moschino which features power suits and pretty dresses - all with prints, which quite honestly look like a six year old has attempted to colour them in with a chunky marker pen. I know this sounds awful but in reality it’s a striking, almost 3D cartoon effect. Romantic and very feminine, Prairie dresses are popular this summer and seem to be trending throughout winter as well. Pretty floaty fabrics in dainty prints and

12 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

soft colours make these dresses very wearable and depending on your mood, they can be worn loose or dressed up with a statement leather belt. Finished off with little western style ankle boots, white sneakers or ballerina flats they make for a perfect summer outfit. Boiler suits - once their sole purpose being only to provide cover during manual labour, are now ‘de rigeur’. Admittedly, not every body shape can make them work, but if your body can, then these are a wonderful addition to your summer wardrobe.

‘do it yourself’ style of print is completely unappealing. I guess it’s something you either love or hate. If you love Tie Dye then you’re in luck as you will be absolutely spoiled for choice. The whole family can get the hippy look with clothes and accessories available for all. For everyone else - Yikes! Have a great summer - Let’s just hope we don’t see too many people in cycling shorts and a neon tie-dyed tee-shirt!!

Worn with heels or flats and perhaps finished off with an on trend hair band, boiler suits are comfortable and super stylish. Now, for the not so good. Cycling shorts (unless you are on an actual bike and even then...) are a really hard look to successfully pull off, and images of the Kardashian’s wearing Kanye West’s Yeezy version do not in any way help their cause. Best to leave these in the actual 80’s along with another unfortunate throwback - Neon. Not good then. Not good now. The Tie Dye trend is huge this summer but for me, the amateur @clydelifemag

The teen STYLE Files BRIGHT COLOURS

Suits in bright, bold colours are a summer staple this year. A long length blazer paired with a tailored skirt, trousers or shorts will make for a cute and classy summer outfit. Affordable versions will be popping up in high street stores.

Accessory Notes... Brighten up your day and any outfit, with this cute rainbow bag from Cath Kidston.

Gadget

Hair

Pretty ‘Sweetie’ highlighters, Rex London

Super bright pom-pom hair bobbles, Rex London

Do’s & Dont’s Shades of Green (it’s a thing!) • Do stick to mint, pistachio

do

don’t

and sage shades • Do keep it girly • Do have some structure to your clothes • Don’t wear clashing tones • Don’t wear terrible, uncomfortable looking heels

Your Fashion Questions Answered? Do - Taylor Swift

Don’t - Katy Perry

Q - Hey Holly, If I’m buying bright clothes this summer - how bright is too bright? Natalia

A - Hi Natalia, as long as you feel good in them there’s really no limit, although maybe best to avoid neon! Holly x

for Get in touch - To learn more about The FASHION Class teens & children, the courses, camps and Birthday parties, or to tell me what you think and ask any questions, contact: k holly@thefashionclass.co.uk or www.thefashionclass.co.u

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Summer jobs

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese - you haven’t left it too late to find a great job

T

ough luck kid, life has not showered you with rich parents, a trust fund, not even a cheeky little scratch card win . . . so you are going to have to get a summer job just like the rest of us. With a bit of luck you will find something that will give you experience in your chosen field and a good hourly rate. Don’t worry that you missed the boat and should have started looking as early as February; yes many businesses do plan that early for summer staff. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Think about it: many people who landed those jobs back in February will have changed their minds, had a better offer; or turned up for a couple of shifts couldn’t hack it and vanished. Your arrival on the scene, offering your services and available to start work now will be the answer to the prayers of some hard-pressed, rota-juggling soul who is working double-shifts themselves to keep the place open. Facebook is a good source for jobs like this. Getting in with a big name is a good idea; many supermarkets and retail chains will do their utmost to keep you, one trained, and offer work near your uni or book you back in for shifts when home for summer. Glasgow will be awash with students looking for work so give yourself an edge. If you are going to work in catering then put yourself through The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

14 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

elementary food hygiene certificate, acquire barista skills, or silver service. And remember that all work is experience - of life, working with, for, and dealing with people and with experience comes knowledge, even if just means knowing you never want to clean out an industrial meat extruder ever again (trust me on that). Sell yourself! Get your CV up and running; the internet is full of advice. Have two, one which emphasises your course and academic life for jobs and internships in your chosen field and another, more general, for other work. Keep them on your phone ready to send. Including a headshot photo is good; employers get inundated and you want them to remember you but if handing out printed CVs around the neighbourhood or sending an email blitz just give age, and postcode, saying full details provided at interview; always consider personal and identity security. Fun Just remember to have some, ok? Take your responsibilities seriously but enjoy yourself and if you don’t then find something else and leave. Earmark some money each week as ‘throwing money’ be it one shift, or perhaps your tips, and is going to be spent frivolously. @clydelifemag

Quote Clyde Life

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SAVE Money! • SAVE E The CLEAR choice for replacing steamed up double glazing If your double glazing is failing, look for the best and most cost effective solution!

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s all that fresh, spring sunshine streaming through your windows telling you something?

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maintained in excellent working order.’

LOCKS, HANDLES & HINGES REPAIRS Our engineers can also replace broken locks, handles, seals and hinges. Peter and his Cloudy2Clear team will also replace faulty or broken locks, handles and hinges on windows and doors as well as the Which award-winning glass unit panels. So make Cloudy2Clear part of your spring-clean and repair regime this spring.

REPLACING YOUR FAILED DOUBLE GLAZING

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Clyde Power The river once drove heavy industry and now it can fuel our homes, says Ronnie Cowan MP ‘People want economy and they will pay any price to get it,’ said Lee Iacocca an executive with Ford and Chrysler. Global temperatures have risen since the industrial age began. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says if we do not dramatically change the way we fuel factories, vehicles and homes it ‘would mean a catastrophic situation for the whole world’, it appears the price we are prepared to pay is our own planet. To feed our energy, travel and fast food appetites at a price we find acceptable we are destroying our climate; there is a global climate emergency and people across Scotland have been calling, rightly, for more ambition to tackle this. The Scottish Government amendments to the Climate Change Bill will set a world-leading, legallybinding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest, with Scotland becoming carbon neutral by 2040. Scotland is fortunate; it can harvest natural, clean, renewable energy from land, sea and air but it will take massive financial investment.

Three years ago I wrote an article, ‘The Island of Inverclyde’, to stimulate the idea Inverclyde could be selfsufficient by utilising wind, tide, forest and hydro amongst other renewables but three years later there is still little appetite to improve the situation. There are worthy exceptions but we are nowhere near utilising anything like the levels we should be, but I still believe that Inverclyde could lead the way. One source of low carbon heat is rivers. The Clyde runs the entire length of Inverclyde; a district heating system, sourcing its power from the river should be utilised. The technology already exists; Drammen, in Norway, uses a water source heat pump to take lowgrade heat from the adjacent fjord and turn it into high-grade heat to supply heating for the 60,000-strong community. The company behind it is based in Scotland. In the North of England the H21 project is a detailed engineering solution for converting 3.7 million homes and businesses from natural gas to hydrogen. Converting the UK gas grid to hydrogen has the ability to provide

Ronnie Cowan MP

‘deep decarbonisation’ of heat, as well as transport and power generation, with minimal disruption to customers. H21 proposes conversion begins in 2028, with expansion across 3.7 million properties in the region over the following seven years, creating jobs and supporting communities. The natural geography of Inverclyde affords us opportunities other people can only dream of. We need to realise their potential and protect the future of the planet. During these critical times we need national and local government capable of making brave decisions. Let me finish as I started with Lee Iacocca: ‘We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems’.

Ronnie Cowan MP,–Member of Parliament 1LJ 18 | Clyde Life June/July 2019 for Inverclyde, 20 Crawfurd Street, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 @clydelifemag ronnie.cowan.mp@parliament.uk Telephone: 01475 721 877

For adults & children Brush up on your French this summer!

3 Park Circus - G3 6AX admin@afglasgow.org.uk afglasgow.org.uk 0141 331 4080

Clyde Life Magazine

Clyde Life Flyer & Brochure Distribution We deliver from as few as 1,000 flyers up to 15,000 flyers with each issue. You pick the areas and the amounts and we do the rest. Distribution starts from ÂŁ60+VAT per thousand with discounts for higher volumes or multiple issue distribution. contact Julie Baird on T: 01631 568009 e:jbaird@obantimes.co.uk w:wwwclydelife.co.uk

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June July 2019 June Saturday 1st, 7:30pm

The Benny Lynch Story £20/£18 This show tells the story of Scotland’s first ever boxing world champion. It is a poignant and entertaining look at his life, from his childhood in the Gorbals, to his boxing success and global stardom.

Friday 7th, 8:00pm

Clyde Comedy Festival: Gary Faulds & Gary Meikle £20

gives audiences a chance to watch our developing MMus Performance students displaying their operatic skills.

Sunday 9th, 3:00pm

The Pieman Cometh £12/£10

Sunday 2nd, 8:00pm

Songs from Ireland £12/£10

Two stars of Scottish comedy are coming together for one night only as part of the first ever Clyde Comedy Festival.

Saturday 8th, 7:15pm

Mild mannered Alan Ledger is out of his depth. Like a Chartered Accountant Alice through the Looking Glass, he has entered a world that makes no sense at all – The World of Scottish Football.

£12

Sunday 16th, 8:00pm

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland present Opera Scenes

The Duncan Lamont Songbook £12/£10

Pat Aberbethy and Dave Marsden, return to their Irish roots for this intimate, musical evening – Pat from Belfast and Dave from Dublin. You can expect some well-known A showcase of entertaining and songs and some you may never have heard 20 | Clyde Life – of. June/July 2019 varied Opera Scenes, which

@clydelifemag

Greenock born legendary saxophonist and composer Duncan Lamont brings his highly acclaimed “Duncan Lamont Songbook”.

Thursday 20th, 8:00pm

Jay Lafferty: Wheesht! £12/£10

The Drifters are back on tour in the UK with a brand-new show performing all their classic hits from the last six decades.

July Saturday 6th, 8:00pm

Raymond Mearns: Confessions of a Control Freak £12/£10

With a colourful history of never knowing when to shut up, Jay has managed to get herself into – and occasionally out of – more than a few tricky situations.

Saturday 22nd, 8:00pm

The Bench by KR McAllister £12/£10

Just another day in the life of Raymond Mearns – An Argumentative, Raging, Judgemental, Grammar Nazi! He might be wrong, but he’ll never admit it.

Saturday 20th, 7:30pm

Spontaneous Potter £15

A comedy about safe spaces and the people that fill them… Waiting for Godot meets Still Game.

Thursday 27th, 7:30pm

The Drifters £27/£25

Clyde Life Magazine

An entirely new Potter adventure is magically improvised on the spot – with live musical accompaniment! For information and to book visit beaconartscentre.co.uk Tel: 01475 723 723 Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock, PA15 1HJ Greenock Arts Guild Limited Trading as Beacon Arts Centre. Registered in Scotland Company No. SC024805 Registered Scottish Charity No. SC003030www.clydelife.co.uk | 21

‘There’s Paw an’ Maw at Glasgow Broomielaw Goin’ ‘doon the watter’ for The Fair’ - The Song of the Clyde

That last great paddle steamer, PS Waverly is missing from the Clyde this summer, as she undergoes repairs.

DOON THE WATTER The days we went to Rothesay-O

A

re we returning to the thrills of going Doon the Watter, which everyone from our grandparents to our great-great grandparents enjoyed?

CalMac reports that all-in-all passenger numbers for Easter are up 62 per cent on last year’s holiday, from 69,549 to 112,616. Here on the Clyde, the Largs-Cumbrae ferry recorded the biggest year-on-year increase of 200 per cent with the total number of visitors to the island over the four-day break reaching more than 29,000 - about 20 visitors for every islander. Until Henry Bell’s Comet, the Clyde’s first ever steam boat, launched in 1812, the far reaches of the Clyde were only for the recreation of the rich. By late Victorian and Edwardian times the steamers were bigger, better, more economically viable and prices came within the reach of the general public. Helensburgh, Gourock, Largs and Millport boomed but the stars were Dunoon and Rothesay, the latter hailed as Scotland’s Madeira.

A longer trip could take you to the Kyles of Bute and Tighnabruaich, Tarbert Loch Fyne, Ardrishaig and Campbeltown, whisky capital of the world, with its 30 plus distilleries before the days of American 22 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019 prohibition.

The holidays were part and parcel of the Glasgow Fair; to accommodate the huge crowds boarding houses and hotels sprang up. At the sober end of the spectrum there was the temperance hotel where a family could holiday free from the temptations of the demon drink. For others, who could not afford holiday accommodation and enjoyed the temptation, there was a day trip ‘steaming’ down the Clyde and one possible origin of this definition of intoxication The growing affluence of the 1950s and 60s when we ‘never had it so good’ brought cheap package holidays to the sun and the sailings, then sadly the holiday towns, declined. Doon the Watter is woven into our culture. Does the leap in ticket sales show we are hankering for it again, for the same reasons - a short affordable break or day away from city pollution and a chance to enjoy the peace of magnificent coastal scenery. Smart people are buying ferry tickets and the wise are looking at the price of properties lying empty and ripe for restoration in those famous old towns.

@clydelifemag

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Clyde Life Magazine stewartmilnehomes.com

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Images shown reflect the varying styles and sizes of typical Stewart Milne homes and are intended to illustrate typical styles and finishes only.

| 23

Time for bedding Fresh compost, a good feed and water, water, water is the advice from Kieran Gallagher of Cardwell Garden Centre

W

atching the transition in nature during the change from winter to spring is one of life’s little pleasures that we get for free. For various reasons, I missed it this year. One day I was walking my dog and noticed there were leaves on the trees and wild bluebells lending a vivid splash of colour to an otherwise green hillside. Our gardens are growing so fast just now that it is easy to take your eye off the ball. Perhaps weeds grow out of control or maybe you become so focussed on the garden work itself that you fail to appreciate the beauty of your own endeavours. Your garden will certainly need some of your attention over the coming months. Any risk of a hard frost has almost certainly passed, but cold nights are still a possibility. Very soft or young bedding plants, and some fruit and vegetables, may benefit from some protection if a cool night is forecast. This is one reason to buy quality plants to begin with. Here at Cardwell we grow a lot of out own bedding plants in our on-site nursery. These plants are grown and matured in large glasshouses and are carefully exposed to the elements a little at a time. By doing this, we are able to control the hardiness of the plants, in other words their resistance to cold snaps.

24 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

The vast majority of the plants that we have to buy in from other growers come from long term partners across Scotland. They use similar methods to ourselves to make sure that the plants are ready for your garden. Planting your summer bedding in fresh compost really is a ‘must do’. Old compost will have lost nutrients that are vital to your bedding plant’s success. Any old compost you have can be used to top up beds and borders, so it need not be wasted. Compost is cheap, much cheaper than it used to be. Even the top brands like Miracle Gro and Levington can be found on special offer in many garden centres, so my advice is that new compost is a worthwhile annual investment. Beware of buying any compost that appears too old. Faded packaging and water logged bags are a common sign of old stock. Finally water, water and water more. Water your bedding plants every day in warm weather, twice if it is particularly hot. This is especially true of tubs and baskets and it is best to water first thing and/or last thing so it is not done in direct sunlight. And do not forget to water the grass in dry spells. Our lawns take a lot of punishment all year round, but caring for it now, whilst it is growing, will really toughen it up. I hope you all get the opportunity to enjoy your gardens this summer.

@clydelifemag

Compost The decision on which compost is best for your needs can be complicated; there are a multitude of different brands, names and descriptions. Some of them can sound quite daunting, like Ericaceous compost. Ericaceous simply means acidic. All of the information you need will either be on the packaging of the compost or on signage nearby. If you are still unsure ask for advice. Your garden centre should always have someone on hand to help you with any aspect of gardening and is a legal requirement for anyone selling garden chemicals. If your retailer does not have this, go elsewhere. I promise you there are no stupid questions and we have heard it all before! Everyone starts at the beginning and a little bit of good advice goes a long way.

Beautiful Bedding Caring for your bedding plants is relatively easy with some very basic rules to follow. If you have used new compost it probably has some granular fertiliser already in it. The packaging will tell you how long this lasts (generally 6-8 weeks) and during this time you should avoid adding any more granular fertiliser. You can still use liquid fertiliser if you feel your plants could do with a quick boost, but more is not necessarily better. A common occurrence is mistaking the granular fertiliser in compost for insect eggs, so be aware that they will likely look like 2-3mm spheres (often blue or white) that are usually not grouped together. Remove any flowers and foliage that are past their best as soon as you can. This is especially true after heavy rain, which can cause burning of leaves or, if left too long, fungal rot. Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk

| 25

a selection of events at finlaystone estate June

July

Falconry Day Sunday 2nd June,

Falconry Day Sunday 7th and

Den Build Sunday 9th June, 1-3pm

Summer Scavenger Hunt Tuesday 9th July, 1-3pm Find Summertime treasures in the woods.

1-3pm. Join our falconers for a wonderful bird of prey experience! Build your own den and see who is a budding Bear Grylls.

Duck Races Sunday 23rd June, 1-3pm Pick your lucky duck and follow it down the stream to see who wins. Prizes to be won! Fairy and Elf Door Making & Self Led Trail Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th June, 1-3pm, £2.50 for materials. Search for the hidden Fairy Doors throughout the forest then make to take home. Pre-book time slot on day.

Sunday 28th July, 1-3pm Join our falconers for a wonderful bird of prey experience!

Den Build Thursday 11th July, 1-3pm Build your own den and see who is a budding Bear Grylls.

Tracks and Trails Thursday 18th

July, 1-3pm Discover with the Rangers what wildlife lives here from their tracks and trails.

Teddy Bears Picnic Sunday 21st

July, 1-3pm Tickles the clown celebrates all things teddy bear. Picnic and games in the gardens with a fabulous show from Tickles. Prizes for best fancy dress.

Superhero Weekend! Saturday

Minibeast Hunt Tuesday 23rd July, 1-3pm Six legs, eight legs, 100’s of eyes, a tube to sip nectar or mandibles to rip prey, let’s catch some real mini monsters.

Forest Trails Tuesday 16th July,

Summer Woodland Art Thursday 25th July, 1-3pm Gather woodland materials to make your artistic creation.

13th & Sunday 14th July Dress up as your favourite superhero and join the rangers for a fun filled day with games and prizes for best fancy dress. 1-3pm A guided walk through the woods. Bring boots and coats.

Clyde Life Clyde Life is delivered to 15,000 households in Skelmorlie • Wemyss Bay Inverkip • Gourock • Greenock Port Glasgow • Langbank • Kilmacolm • Quarrier’s Village Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Houston Bishopton • Dargavel Village To advertise in the next issue contact Julie Baird on T: 01631 568009 e:jbaird@obantimes.co.uk w:wwwclydelife.co.uk 26 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

@clydelifemag

Clyde Life Events

June - July

June

July

Saturday 1st June - 8:30pm, The Albany Theatre Recapturing the magic of the TAKE THAT Live experience with Gary, Howard and Mark and the inclusion of the Ultimate entertainer ROBBIE LIVE.

Saturday 6th July - Waterfront Cinema Westlife are back! Broadcast LIVE on Saturday 6 July from Dublin’s iconic Croke Park stadium.

Retake That

Clyde Comedy Festival

Friday 7th June - 8:30pm, The Albany Theatre The Albany is pleased to be involved in the first ever Clyde Comedy Festival with a selection of 3 well established comedians: Ross Leslie, John Gavin & Rob Kane.

Take That: Greatest Hits Live (PG)

Saturday 8th June - 8pm, Waterfront Cinema Celebrating 30 incredible years, Take That are bringing their spectacular 2019 Greatest Hits tour to cinemas for one night only.

Cardwell Craft Fair Weekend

Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th June Crafter attending will be showcasing their wares with lots of fantastic and unique gifts available for you to buy.

Royal Ballet: Romeo & Juliet (12A)

Tuesday 11th June - 7:15pm, Waterfront Cinema Shakespeare’s enduring love story is known the world over. Since its 1965 premiere with The Royal Ballet, Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet has become a modern ballet classic.

The Jersey Boys Tribute Night

Westlife The Twenty Tour (12A)

Cardwell Craft Fair Weekend

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July Crafter attending will be showcasing their wares with lots of fantastic and unique gifts available for you to buy.

The Skids (plus support)

Friday 19th July - 8:30pm, The Albany Theatre Formed in Dunfermline in 1977, The Skids are famous for their hits Into The Valley, Working For The Yankee Dollar and Masquerade.

NT Live: The Lehman Trilogy (12A)

Thursday 25th July - 7pm, Waterfront Cinema The story of a family and a company that changed the world told in three parts on a single evening.

Men Of Motown

Saturday 27th July - 7:30pm, Tontine Hotel Get your friends together and have a brilliant evening with the fabulous Men of Motown and D.J entertainment.

Andre Rieu Maastricht 2019: Shall We Dance? (PG)

Saturday 27th July - 7pm & Sunday 28th July - 3pm (Encore), Waterfront Cinema This year André Rieu invites you to put on your dancing shoes for his spectacular 2019 hometown concert from Maastricht.

Saturday 15th June - 7pm, Tontine Hotel Enjoy our spectacular tribute to Franki Valli & The Four Seasons and sing along to all the famous hits.

Northern Ballet: Victoria (12A)

Tuesday 25th June - 7pm In celebration of her bicentenary year, Northern Ballet’s new biopic brings the sensational story of Queen Victoria to life in dance.

NT Live: Small Island (15)

Thursday 27th June - 7pm, Waterfront Cinema Enjoy our spectacular tribute to Franki Valli & The Four Seasons and sing along to all the famous hits.

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk

| 27

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.

Health & Wellbeing Classes Class

Time

Location

Day

Teacher/Instructor Contact Details

Yogabellies Children’s Yoga 3-12yrs

Yoga & Meditation

01475 745552/744404 www.enterprisechildcare.co.uk admin@enterprisechildcare.co.uk 7pm-8.30pm

Boglestone CC

Chair Yoga by appointment only please phone.

Mon

Jacci Stoyle

07790 262124

Wed

Jacci Stoyle

07790 262124

Yoga

2.00pm-3.30pm

Westburn Church

Tue

Aileen Hughes

01475 801613

Yoga

7.45pm-9.15pm

Greenock

Tue

Patricia Ralston

01475 785685

Hatha Yoga

7.00pm-8.00pm

Lyle Kirk

Wed

Flora MacKenzie

fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk

Yin Yoga

2.00pm-3.00pm

Inverkip CC

Thu

Flora MacKenzie

fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk

Birsay Yoga

Birsay Yoga

9.15am

Gourock

Tue

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

7.30pm

Gourock

Tue/Thur

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

7.45pm

Inverkip

Wed

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

7.00pm

Skelmorlie

Mon

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

8.45am

Skelmorlie

Sat

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

9.15am

Largs

Thur

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

9.30am

Largs

Sat

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

7.30pm

Largs

Tue

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

Gentle Yoga

7.30pm

Largs

Thu

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

Yoga for Teenagers

6.00pm

Gourock

Tue

Joanna Ritchie

07518 373073

Yoga Mixed Ability Class

10.00am

Gourock - Bath St

Wed

Sheena Arlow

sheenaarlow@gmail.com

6.45pm

Greenock - Nelson St

Wed

Sheena Arlow

sheenaarlow@gmail.com

Scaravelli inspired Yoga

6pm-8.30pm

Branchton CC

Tai Chi

10.30am-11.30am Branchton CC

Tue

Rachel Harper

01475 638481

Fri

David Kendal

01475 638481

Yoga

9.30am-10.30am Kilmacolm

Tue & Fri

Jacqueline Gibson 7851735357

Yoga

10.00am-11.30am Bridge of Weir

Tue & Thu

Sara Marijuan-Tuck 07962 347950

7.00pm-8.30pm

Bridger of Weir

Thu

Sara Marijuan-Tuck 07962 347950

7.30pm-9.00pm

Langbank

Tue & Thu

Sara Marijuan-Tuck 07962 347950

Antenatal Yoga

6.15pm-7.45pm

Bridge of Weir

Thu

Janis Green

07748 150001

General Yoga

8.00pm-9.15pm

Bridge of Weir

Thu

Janis Green

07748 150001

10.00am-11-00am Kilmacolm

Mon

Janis Green

07748 150001

Move it or lose it!

10.30am

Bridge of Weir

Tue

Fiona Bretherton

07811 766672

FABS fitness for the over 60’s more than just a fitness class

2.00pm

Greenock

Tue

Fiona Bretherton

07811 766672

2.30pm

Kilbarchan

Thu

Fiona Bretherton

07811 766672

Physio-led Pilates

6.15pm-7.15pm

Houston

Mon

Kate Black

katiescotts@hotmail.com 07972 474965

7.30pm-8.30pm

Houston

Mon

Kate Black

katiescotts@hotmail.com 07972 474965

The costs of this advert have been met from Parliamentary resources.

28 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

@clydelifemag

Dance Classes Elite Academy of Dance Ballet Silver Swans Ballet (over 50s) 11am-12pm Royal Scottish Country Dance Society 8pm-9:45pm

Greenock Every Day Greenock Tue & Thu Laird Street, Greenock Mon

Joan Pow

www.eliteacademyofdance.co.uk www.silverswansballet.co.uk 07834 553604

Langbank Greenock Golf Club Kilmacolm Gourock

Derrick McPherson Heather Sinclair David Walker Ann-Marie Westwood

Langbankcc1@gmail.com 07801 445102 01505 873883 07971 607453

Camera Clubs Digital Camera Club Greenock Camera Club Kilmacolm Camera Club Inverclyde Camera Club

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

2nd & 4th Mon Thur Tue Fri

Other Clubs & Groups Greenock Speakers Club

7:30pm - 10pm

MS Activities Group

11am-1pm

Ardgowan Club, Greenock Thur (Oct-Mar) Alastair MacDonald Club Secretary Greenock Thu Stuart Anderson

01475 638613 aimacdon1@gmail.com 01475 630553

Parkinson’s Inverclyde Support Group 12:30-2:30pm

Greenock

Last Fri of month Trish Maclennan

01475 743679

Fort Matilda Bridge Club

7pm

Tarbet St Gourock

Mon Tue Fri

Ann MacLeod

01475 522181

Inverclyde Sky Watchers

3pm-5pm

Greenock

Mon

Marion

01475 634976

Bridge of Weir

2nd & 4th Thu

Keith

07789 501605

Dave Souza

01475 631654

Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Games Society Inverclyde Ramblers

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

Please let us know if any of your clubs, classes or groups details have changed!

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk

| 29

RECIPE

Mushroom Arancini with homemade marinara sauce You will need For the Arancini • 50g wild mushrooms • 1 vegetable stock cube • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 finley chopped onion • 2 finley chopped cloves of garlic • 250g chopped chestnut mushrooms • 300g risotto rice • 25g butter • 175ml Good white wine • Handful chopped parsley • 50g grated parmesan or Grana Padano For the Marinara sauce • 15ml good olive oil. • 1 onion, chopped. • 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic. • 120ml good red wine • 800g tinned crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped. • 1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley • 1 1/2 tsp salt. • 1 tsp white sugar • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

To make the risotto: 1. Put 50g dried wild mushrooms into a large bowl and pour over 1 litre boiling water. Soak for 20 mins, then drain into a bowl, discarding the last few tbsp of liquid left in the bowl. 2. Crumble 1 vegetable stock cube into the mushroom liquid, then squeeze the mushrooms gently to remove any liquid. 3. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a shallow saucepan or deep frying pan over a medium flame. Add 1 finely chopped onion and 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, then fry for about 5 mins until soft. 4. Stir in 250g chopped chestnut mushrooms and the dried mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and continue to cook for 8 mins until the fresh mushrooms have softened. 5. Tip 300g risotto rice into the pan and cook for 1 min. Pour over a 175ml glass of white wine and let it bubble to nothing so the alcohol evaporates. 6. Keep the pan over a medium heat and pour in a quarter of the mushroom stock. Simmer the rice, stirring often, until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. 7. Add about the same amount of stock again and continue to simmer and stir - it should start to become creamy, plump and tender. By the time the final quarter of stock is added, the rice should be almost cooked. 8. Continue stirring until the rice is cooked. If the rice is still undercooked, add a splash of water. Take the pan off

30 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

the heat, add 25g butter and scatter over 25g grated parmesan or Grana Padano cheese and half a handful of chopped parsley leaves. 9. Cover and leave for a few mins so that the rice can take up any excess liquid as it cools a bit. Give the risotto a final stir, scatter with the remaining 25g grated cheese and the remaining chopped parsley leaves. 10. Allow the mix to cool for 10mins approx. – Then shape into balls. 11. Cover balls in plain flour, roll in beaten egg and toss in bread crumbs. 12. If you can, we recommend deep frying your balls but 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degrees also does the trick! To make the marinara: 1. Heat the olive oil in a large (30cm) pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. 2. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. 3. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper. Cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 15 minutes. Pour your marinara onto a plate and rest the arancini on top, garnish with some fresh rocket and balsamic vinegar, pour yourself an ice cold Peroni and enjoy!

@clydelifemag

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SUPERIOR BESPOKE STORAGE SYSTEMS AT SMART PRICES... Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd is a small friendly, family run business established in 2012. At their impressive showroom in Crosslee, Houston you can see their full range of stunning doors and furniture on display. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, the team at Alvic can turn any empty and unused spaces to good use. There’s no need to put up with wonky wardrobes which don’t suit your needs any longer, Alvic can fully design and install perfectly fitted wardrobes and furniture that is truly bespoke to your requirements. Whether it’s hinged, angled or sliding doors, you’re after, a built in quest bed or a fully fitted walk-in wardrobe or library, the team are always on hand to offer their advice and expertise.

01505 614419 • www.alvicslidingwardrobes.co.uk

www.clydelife.co.uk | 31 Life Magazine Visit ourClyde showroom: Suite 1, The Old Mill, Houston Road, Crosslee, Houston PA6 7AW

Saturday

8June2019

THE CHARTROOM KIP MARINA, INVERKIP

DOORS OPEN 6.30PM STARTS 7.30PM TICKETS £25 - www.thechartroom.co.uk @ComedyClyde

@TheChartroom

@ClydeComedyFestival

@chartroom.marina @Miltoncomedyjones

@themiltonjones

In association with

4449 CC Milton Jones.indd 1

17/04/2019 11:33

DOG DAY AFTERNOON Sunday 30th June 12-6pm

2 courses £12

EVERY DAY 5-7pm *excludes special event days

Our waterside function room is a dog friendly diner for the day! Bring your furry friends and have a fun afternoon at Scotland’s premier marina.

The Scottish Food Market at Kip Marina Sunday 30th June 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 30th June between 11am & 4pm.

www.kipmarina.co.uk Satnav postcode PA16 0BF

Call 01475 520919

32 | Clyde Life – June/July 2019

thechartroom.co.uk

@clydelifemag