Clyde Life Magazine Christmas 2018 No 45

Clyde Life Christmas 2018 Issue 45

Oh yes it is!

Panto time at Beacon Arts

Finest festive style p12 Shop locally this Christmas p10 Skelmorlie ■ Wemyss Bay ■ Inverkip ■ Gourock ■ Greenock ■ Port Glasgow ■ Langbank Kilmacolm ■ Quarrier’s Village ■ Bridge of Weir ■ Brookfield ■ Houston ■ Bishopton

Delivered to over

15,000 Homes

WE’VE GOT CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP FRE ENTRY E A PARKI ND NG

Indoor children’s Carnival & Santa’s Grotto WE’VE GOT CHRISTMAS Pets corner and kid’s UP ALL WRAPPED FRE sandy play area ENTRY E A PARKI ND N Indoor children’s Carnival G Selection of Decorations, Lights, Trees & More! & Santa’s Grotto Licensed 300 seater restaurant Pets corner and kid’s Craft and play hobby centre sandy area Selection of Decorations, Don’t miss Breakfast with Santa at Cardwell, every weekend from Lights, Trees & More!

24/11 until 24/12. Visit our website for information & booking.

Licensed 300 seater restaurant CraftReal and hobby centre Christmas Trees available at Cardwell on December 1st, home delivery available.

Don’t miss Breakfast with Santa at Cardwell, every weekend from 24/11 until 24/12. Visit our website for information & booking.

Real Christmas available at Cardwell Lunderston Bay,Trees Gourock, Inverclyde, PA19on 1BB December 1st, home delivery available.

01475 521 536 www.cardwellgardencentre.co.uk

Greetings of the season to you from all of us here at Clyde Life

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his year seems to have flown by and here we are once again preparing for Christmas and Hogmanay.

We hope you enjoyed 2018 as much as we have and are looking forward to 2019.

Looking around the Inverclye area, you cannot help but be impressed by the incredible mix which goes into making up our greater community.

Busy post-industrial towns, friendly villages, country parks, a cultural hub like Beacon Arts, a nationally-important boat show; family shops and services that have been with us for decades and exciting new start-ups. Then we have our hospitality trade with exciting, cutting-edge food alongside traditional favourites.

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Christmas books – book reviews

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Ronnie Cowan MP writes for Clyde Life

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Shop local and stress not Sparkle this Christmas - Style Files

Beacon Arts Centre preview of events

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Cardwell Gardening Tips Join in - Clyde Life’s listing of classes, groups and local clubs

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And all this takes place against the magnificent backdrop of the mighty River Clyde, making this one of the best places in Scotland to live and work. Remember that many people choose us as a holiday or day-out destination – they want what we’ve got!

So enjoy your celebrations; enjoy your family and friends and your homes and all the good things you will share.

And remember to stay local, shop local and support each other within the fantastic place we call home.

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Contributors this issue: Ronnie Cowan MP, Kieran Gallagher, Joanne Simms, Marilyn Thompson, Holly Thompson

Christmas Issue 45 2018 Publisher: Wyvex Media Ltd

Advertising Director: Nicky Murphy nmurphy@obantimes.co.uk Features Editor: Joanne Simms joanne@clydelife.co.uk

Contact Info: Advertising: 01631 568000 Email: editor@clydelife.co.uk Web: www.clydelife.co.uk Web Design: www.plbwebdesign.co.uk 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. 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.

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 3

A new dental practice for Kilmacolm Patients can bank on exceptional service from 20th November

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nVisage Dentistry opened its newest practice this week, in Kilmacolm. The practice will welcome both NHS and private patients to its new premises on Lochwinnoch Road, in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building, from Tuesday 20 November.

A major refit of the site has transformed the old bank into a state-of-the-art dental practice, with full disability access.

LASERLIGHT CLINIC. 1 PRIESTON ROAD, BRIDGE OF WEIR, PA11 3AJ

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TO BOOK CALL 01505 873 852 Where to find us: 10 St James Terrace, Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm PA13 4HB (old RBS) EnVisage Dental Kilmacolm Clyde Life Magazine

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www.clydelife.co.uk | 9

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Happy Christmas y

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Stay local for Christmas shopping y you enjoy, not endure y y y y

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hat are you doing tearing down the M8 to go do your Christmas shopping in the big city when you will have a far better time y staying home and shopping locally?

Go there and you will have to queue to get into a car park, queue at the junction exit to get off the motorway, more likely than not, and then queue to pay at the tills.

So take your cue from us and don’t bother.

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We have everything you want and more right here.

Large branches of national chains and well known

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fast foods? Yes we’ve got those but interspersed amongst them are what makes Christmas shopping here in Inverclyde’s towns and villages so special and that’s the privately-owned and run retailers.

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Some of them have been here for years, decades and even generations. y

They know their customers and they curate their stock purchases accordingly. Not for them the task of selling a mass of goods picked by a buying team in London or overseas! They have chosen with time and care, mindful of what they know will appeal to customers. @clydelifemag

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shopping! y y

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y That way they have done half the job of gift buying for us! And we, their customers know that when we walk through the door the welcome will be genuine!

The time you would have spent on your longer journey can be spent on the act of shopping itself, an instant stress reliever, knowing that you aren’t pressed for time and the need to leave before everyone else does to avoid the same crazy rush going home.

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When it comes to buying gifts then we are spoiled for choice with the quality of the shops we have.

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And what about our clothes shops? They are not full of rails and rails of clothes with indifferent assistants, if you can find them. The stock has been purchased thoughtfully and the person advising and helping you will be the owner more likely than not.

Clyde Life Magazine

y

By Joanne Simms

Come on, admit it! How many time have you trudged round the big stores and nothing has grabbed you, only to pop into a local shop and find EXACTLY what you want in five minutes!

Likewise our local food stores, specialist fish, meat, cheese, delicatessens - they all offer quality produce and competitive prices and the best thing is your guests won’t look at your cheese board and know which supermarket you went to!

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So stay sane this Christmas and stay local! It’s nice to walk down the street and meet people you know!

Why not stop for a civilised lunch or a coffee, with home baking, not some fast-food encased in plastic.

Listen to local school kids, bands and choirs out singing carols to raise cash for your community.

Put the happy back into Christmas shopping!

www.clydelife.co.uk | 11

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theStyle files Have yourself a cosy and comfortable Christmas.... by Marilyn Thompson

Comfort and style are words to keep in mind this festive season and to pull off the perfect polished, yet comfy look for all your Christmas requirements, you’ll need some essentials that you can build an outfit around.

A classic coat is a necessity and when worn with a luxe cashmere polo neck, black jeans and comfy boots, it’s an elegant look that will take you almost anywhere, from Christmas shopping and visiting relatives, the heart warming carol service or your traditional Christmas Day walk. With the addition of some well chosen stylish accessories, like a cosy hat and scarf and some leather gloves, you can add your own unique sense of style and mix and match to suit each occasion.

When entertaining at home, you can’t beat the classic combination of a silk blouse and some easy fit but classic cut trousers, the perfect mix of comfort and style. Best of all, you get to keep your slippers on! (Hallelujah)

Get organised early, shopping done, presents wrapped, tree decorated, table set....then you can hopefully relax and actually enjoy the special spirit of Christmas - light a scented festive candle and snuggle up in your Christmassy Fairisle sweater with a cup of tea and a mince pie, peacefully contemplating, reading your favourite book or binging on Christmas movies. However you choose to relax is up to you - the important thing is that you find the time to do it before the magic of Christmas disappears for another year, and in its place, you just feel slightly bewildered.

Of course, you’ll probably need some form of party wear, but given that this is all about comfort, if you do need a bit more pazzaz then why not just add some sparkly statement earrings or jazz up an existing outfit with an oversized brooch.

Instead of torturing your feet by squashing them into high

12 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

@clydelifemag

heels, why not try a pair of flats decorated with glitzy embellishments. Little things like this may be all that’s required to add a touch of relaxed glamour when needed, without sacrificing comfort, or adding yet another sparkly creation to the once worn stash of ‘Christmas Past’ outfits.

The teen STYLE Files Sparkle all the way!

One of the biggest Christmas party wear trends of 2018 is the 1960’s, so embrace sequins, the miniest of mini’s, the sheerest denier tights you can find and pointed kitten heels for the perfect show stopping look. If the 60’s aren’t your thing, then anything that shimmies with sparkle and shine will do the trick.

Fashion & Beauty Notes...

Keep cold weather dry lips at bay with this Barry M lip scrub. £4.99

When it comes to clothes, surely the most comfortable and cosy part of Christmas has got to be new pyjamas. Is there a better feeling, after a long day of cooking, cleaning and entertaining, than the pleasure of easing yourself into your soft and comforting pj’s - I don’t think so.

In the run up to Christmas, it’s so easy to lose sight of what’s really important, ‘the big stuff’ - like faith, love, kindness and compassion - let’s not forget to put them on our to do’ list.

Merry Christmas!

Gadget

Hair

Technic glitter ball beauty advent calendar. £8.00

Superdrug Fantasy Queen of stars hair glitter pot. £2.99

Do’s & Dont’s - Sparkles

do don’t

• Do stick to metallic tones • Do keep it modest • Don’t over accessorise • Don’t go OTT • Don’t be afraid to shine!

Your Fashion Questions Answered?

Do - Kylie Jenner Don’t - Nicki Minaj

Q - Hi Holly, I LOVE sequins how can I wear them during the day without looking too “extra”? India.

A - Hey India, a cute sequinned scrunchie, worn either on the wrist or around your ponytail, is a great way to add a little bit of sparkle to an everyday outfit! 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

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 13

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Christmas books ❆

Michael Morpurgo with illustrations by Jim Field Egmont UK Hardcover ISBN -10: 1405284595

We lost a giant this year with the death of Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist, cosmologist and much more; an all-round hero for so many people.

If you are one of the many who bought A Brief History of Time and was lost after the first three pages then this is for you, as he writes about the ultimate challenges we face today. A percentage of all royalties will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Stephen Hawking Foundation.

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John Murray Hardcover ISBN-10: 1473695988

Misty Kalkofen and Kirsten Amann Hardcover Quarry Books ISBN-10: 1631594184

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Brief Answers to the Big Questions: the final book from Stephen Hawking

Drinking Like Ladies: 75 modern cocktails from the world’s leading female bartenders; includes toasts to extraordinary women in history

By Joanne Simms

A chance to improve your cocktail making skills and work on your feminist iconography; I’ll drink to that, anytime. (A review as long as the book’s title, Slàinte!)

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Michael Morpurgo’s novel War Horse has been adapted into West End play as well as a film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg. The former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo writes about protecting the environment in this beautiful story of an old man’s wish for his granddaughter to live in a better world. With Jim Field an award-winning illustrator providing the pictures, this is our Christmas must-buy; you know a small child somewhere and they should have this book.

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Grandpa Christmas

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A few thought-provoking wee reads for the festive season

The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry Edited by Matthew George Walter Paperback Penguin Classics

ISBN-10: 0141181907 On November 11 1918 the guns fell silent and any time now all the media will fall silent again until the next anniversary rolls around; that is why it is important to keep work like this in constant circulation in people’s lives.

@clydelifemag

Help is at Hand as your Life changes Woodside Care Home is a 19 bedroom Residential Home situated in the beautiful conservation village of Quarriers, just outside Bridge of Weir. Visitors are always made welcome.

The Home is registered with The Care Inspectorate for the regulation of care.

• • • •

Residential Elderly Long Stay Short Stay Convalescent Respite

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CO OF THE VER SC W IN OT HO G LA LE ND

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Contact Jamie on 07775 038977 www.clydelife.co.uk | 15

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We are all told ‘don’t let your heart rule your head’ but in

For your head because you know it makes sense; a quality, good-looking kitchen adds value to your home.

And for your heart, adding to the quality of life for you and your family. Kitchens are truly the hub of a home; even more so today as many families open up walls and connect today’s good-looking kitchens to living and dining space.

A well-designed kitchen-living area keeps a family together in the same room: kids at one end watching the TV or an i-Pad while mum and dad can sit and catch up. Today’s new homes, renovations and revamps

When you join forces with Affordable Luxuries’ top designers and excellent installation team, you will create a kitchen as unique as your home is; a perfect complement to your lifestyle.

‘Most families only buy a new kitchen when they move house or after a lengthy period of time living with what they inherited. When they first come and visit us at our lovely showroom what we have to offer comes as a real surprise; so for anyone thinking about a new kitchen come in and talk to us, take that all important first step – I promise you will not be disappointed’ said Tom McDonald of Affordable Luxuries.

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have kitchens that lead into conservatories or garden rooms and on through doors to a decked garden.

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new kitchen is a sound investment for your head and your heart.

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A kitchen for your family

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Your kitchen should look as good on the inside as the outside and work just as hard. Three really popular accessories chosen

by Affordable Luxuries customers are...

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the kitchen they can make a joint decision

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AND your finances

Fina n Opti ce Avai ons lable T&

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Lemans corner solution

Recycling

A fine example of where form meets function. Lemans makes perfect use of those hard to reach corners.

The individual trays swing smoothly and almost effortlessly out of the corner cupboard providing you with a clear view and ready access to every stored item. Each individual shelf can easily carry up to 25 kilograms making it impossible to overload, the Lemans might just be the perfect corner unit.

A must in today’s h o u s e h o l d s .

Affordable Luxuries can provide a large variety of practical storage solutions, from small 10 litre capacity bins to large 70 litre options all hidden away from view.

With recycling being a big consideration there are multiple options allowing you to separate paper, household waste, plastics and cans.

Having this essential requirement fully integrated and hidden ads to the sleekness of your kitchen design whilst removing unsightly bulky floor standing bins from view.

Drawer storage In a good kitchen design you can’t underestimate the importance of good drawer storage. Drawers can be designed to be task specific and do much more than provide somewhere to keep your cutlery. They can save you from bending down and reaching into the backs of cabinets where items are hard to see and awkward to retrieve. Instead they allow the contents to come out to you were they can be seen at a glance.

You may choose to store your crockery along with your pots and pans directly below your hob making them close at hand when needed; you may choose to store specific food groups, small kitchen appliances all of which can be done in many options from full height pull out fronts to sleek internal individual drawers. The practical use of the drawer can be accompanied by various interior options adding to the overall aesthetic, whilst remaining convenient, sturdy, smooth running and soft closing.

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“They listened to everything we said, they came up with a great design, provided us with a beautifully made kitchen which was then expertly installed by fantastic tradesmen.”

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by COSENTINO

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www.clydelife.co.uk | 17 CORIAN ©

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52 - 54 Regent St, Greenock PA15 4NP | Tel: 01475 727774 | www.affordableluxuries.co.uk

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The crisis that is Universal Credit In the 1980s the historian Derek Fraser said of the welfare state, it ‘Germinated in the social thought of late Victorian liberalism, reached its infancy in the collectivism of the preand post-Great War statism, matured in the universalism of the 1940s and flowered in full-bloom in the consensus and affluence of the 1950s and 1960s.

By the 1970s it was in decline, like the faded rose of autumn’.

Over the years different UK governments of various constructs have attempted to modify and amend the welfare system. The most recent and most ambitious is UC (Universal Credit). UC is still in the process of being rolled out across the UK. Inverclyde has had what is termed ‘full roll out’ since November 2016. But it isn’t finished yet and potentially 6,910 people in Inverclyde still need to be migrated from the old system.

UC was introduced to simplify the benefits system. There were separate benefits for different purposes, such as child tax credits which help meet the costs of raising a child, and housing benefit to help with the costs of rent.

UC is a single payment intended to meet the different types of costs.

Compared with the previous benefit system, Universal Credit is different in a number of ways.

The main changes are: • It is a single benefit payment.

• It is paid monthly into a bank account.

• You claim it online.

• You have your own online account.

• There are changes to who can get help with childcare costs.

Ronnie Cowan MP

• If you’re working and paying tax through the PAYE system your benefit is calculated on income figures your employer sends to HMRC. • You don’t have to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about every change in income.

• Money for your rent is paid directly to you and not to your landlord in most cases.

• Some expenses for example childcare will need to be updated regularly on your account (monthly).

There continue to be problems around access to online recording of data, time-lapse in receiving payments and those payments being an accurate reflection of the recipient’s requirements. The Trussell Trust tell me that in Inverclyde between 1st April 2018 and 30th September 2018 in Inverclyde, 3,013 three-day emergency food supplies were given to local people in crisis. Across the UK, foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network distributed 658,048 threeday emergency food supplies to help people in crisis, a rise of 13% for the same period last year. It is worth noting that the Trussell Trust is a charity, it is not part of the welfare system.

My constituency office has already processed hundreds of UC cases including a cancer patient whose treatment isn’t chemotherapy or radiography so he was refused the Employment and Support Allowances (ESA) element of UC and found fit for work. He now has to go through a lengthy appeal for his UC despite having incurable cancer. Another constituent is a part time NHS worker and had her UC claim closed due

to her four weekly payment pattern, leaving her with no funds and having to reapply despite the DWP being fully aware that once per year those being paid weekly or four weekly will receive no UC for one month.

Meanwhile welfare spending on poor people dropped by 25 per cent during the decade of austerity, cuts to benefits that disabled people receive were significant. Cuts include, tax credits (£4.6bn), universal credit (£3.6bn), child benefit (£3.4bn), disability benefits (£2.8bn), ESA and incapacity benefit (£2bn) and housing benefit (£2.3bn).

Sir Ian Diamond, chairman of the social security advisory committee is on record as saying: ‘The risk should be on the state not the individual.

Care for the most needy in society is something that defines us as a nation.’

Jo Miller, president of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives described UC as an ‘unholy mess’ designed by ‘people in ivory towers’.

‘The world of work for most people is not a monthly salary — that’s the world of the civil service,’ she said. ‘What they are really saying is, ‘We want you to be middle class but we are not going to give you the tools to get there because you are the feckless poor.’

It is time to stop the roll out and fix the system. Anyone for Universal Basic Income?

Ronnie Cowan MP, Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, 20 Crawfurd Street, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1LJ @clydelifemag

18 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018 ronnie.cowan.mp@parliament.uk Telephone: 01475 721 877

RECIPE Chicken parmesan with Prosciutto asparagus and pesto mash What came first Chicken or Prosciutto? Well the Chicken in this case

F

irstly get your Chicken breast onto your chopping board and slice it open to butterfly it. Then batter it out flat, you don’t need a fancy meat tenderiser I prefer the rolling pin method (also good for realising stress) Once this is done coat one side of your chicken in shaved parmesan then layer your strips of Prosciutto over the top of one side of your chicken.

Now heat up a shallow frying pan with a spot of extra virgin olive oil, once your pan is sizzling, place the chicken (Prosciutto side first) into the pan for about 3-4 mins on each side. Next place your chicken Prosciutto side up into your preheated oven at about 190 degrees.

This will take about 20 mins to cook through.

While you are waiting for this it’s time to make your pesto mash, this bit is simple once your potatoes are cooked simply

Clyde Life Magazine

drain the water add some salt and pepper for seasoning, and a dollop (technical term) of pesto, now if your super organised you will have made your own homemade pesto for this, but for the rest of us pesto from a jar is more than acceptable.

Next boil some water in a pot add salt and pepper and a smidgen of butter once it’s boiling add two spears of Asparagus and cook for about 2-3 minutes.

Now that you have tasty ingredients ready it’s time to marry all of these up, place your mash onto your plate either arty style or just a big scoop, take your chicken cut it in half and place on top of said mash, sprinkle some freshly shaved parmesan, drizzle with oil add your Asparagus and voila Enjoy!

www.clydelife.co.uk | 19

Live Music

Comedy

Theatre

Exhibitions

Events

Community

Family

Dance

Talks

December February 2019 December Friday 7th to Monday 31st, 7.00pm evening and matinee

Sleeping Beauty

£21/£13 (conc) You’d better set your alarm as this is one show you will not want to miss with fabulous song’s, dance numbers, sensational sets and costumes.

Monday 10th Saturday 19th January

I Welcome: An Amnesty International and Magnum Photos Exhibition

Free Entry The photographic exhibition features refugee crisis’s past & present, bringing together 70 years of Magnum Photos and Amnesty Internationals work.

Thursday 13th to Saturday 22nd, 7.30pm evening & matinee

It’s a Wonderful Life

20 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

£14/£13 (conc) Back by popular demand, for the seventh consecutive year. The story of the most inspirational film of all time. The heart-warming American family classic. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is brought to the stage in a Live Radio Play.

Performed as a 1940s radio broadcast in front of a studio audience.

Six actors play 1940s radio actors, who in turn portray ALL the characters of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. @clydelifemag

Monday 10th, 7.30pm

Emily Smith’s Songs for Christmas £12/£10 (conc)

Friday 18th January, 7.30pm

Dirty Dusting

£21 £19(conc) Treat yourself to an evening of pure theatrical Viagra when Dirty Dusting returns to the stage in 2019 after three sell out UK tours.

Saturday 19th January, 8.00pm

Duncan McCrone Band In Concert Emily Smith presents her annual Christmas show ‘Songs For Christmas’

January Saturday 12th, 7.30pm

The Legends of American Country

£20 The Legends of American Country returns for another fantastic night of toe tapping Country classics.

£12 £10(conc) An evening with the Duncan McCrone Band is an event as much as a concert, with songs, lots of stories and the chance to join in.

Wednesday 30th January, 8.00pm

The Outside Track

£12/£10 (conc) A stunning synthesis of virtuosity and energy, The Outside Track’s marriage of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music and song has been rapturously received around the world.

February Coming soon

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly Ballet West’s The Nutcracker

Festive Menu, starting in December Book online at www.resdiary.com/restaurant/ beaconartscentre or via our website www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/bar-kitchen Book over the phone on 01475 327884 Pre-Theatre dining For information and to book visit beaconartscentre.co.uk | Tel: 01475 723 723 Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock, PA15 1HJ ClydeBeacon Life Magazine www.clydelife.co.uk | 21

22 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

@clydelifemag

£2900

40 Day Guests 80 Evening Guests

Additions can be arranged, the venue can accommodate up to 120 day guests.

2019 / 2020 / 2021 DATES AVAILABLE • Venue hire • Glass of sparkling for arrival • Ceremony charge • Master of ceremonies • Half bottle of House wine for meal • Glass of sparkling for toast • Cake stand and cake knife • 3 course menu • Table stationery • Hot Filled Rolls for 80 Guests • Choice of 2 centre pieces • Dance floor • Full table linen

Subject to availability.

T: 0141 353 4770 E: WEDDINGS@HOUSEFORANARTLOVER.CO.UK W: WWW.HOUSEFORANARTLOVER.CO.UK Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 23

Choosing the right Chr Make sure you ask the right questions before you buy your tree!

By Kieran Gallagher Cardwell Garden Centre

A

s Christmas approaches thoughts stray from the garden to more pressing matters, particularly if you have children.

Preparing for a visit from Santa Claus will take priority over gardening.

fragrance into the house. The hyacinths, especially, have a powerful scent that is hard to miss and can be nought ready to flower.

December is a quiet month for the average gardener and some basic regular maintenance will keep things ticking over nicely. Even the humble houseplant is happy with a small amount of water every few days, depending on your heating at home.

The delicate plants need to kept at steady room temperature and transported and sold accordingly.

I would avoid buying plants located next to a door or refrigerated area. Your plants should have protection whilst you take it home from the shop, usually a plant sleeve. I might be biased, but I buy my poinsettia at Cardwell!

Poinsettias, Amaryllis and prepared Hyacinth bulbs are all ideal ways to introduce some colour and

Poinsettias require a little more care and you should select your Poinsettia from your retailer carefully.

One of the most important purchases at this time of year for the home is the Christmas tree and cut or real trees remain popular.

The are several different varieties of pine trees available, so the days of losing all the needles from your tree two weeks before Christmas are a thing of the past.

The best for needle retention is the Nordman Fir. The Nordman has been available for a number of years, but the quality of the trees varied a lot. It was very difficult to get a good shaped Nordman above 6 feet or 2 metres tall.

At Cardwell we have been buying all our Nordmans from the same Dumfries based plantation for around 10 years. The quality and consistency of the trees is unsurpassed by anything I have seen in some 25 years of selling them.

The Nordman Fir is one of the most expensive of the trees you can buy, but it really is a case of ‘you get what you pay for’ if you want to avoid problems with sharp needles and needle drop.

Of course, there are alternatives to the Nordman, most commonly the traditional Norway Spruce and Fraser Fir.

24 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

@clydelifemag

ristmas Tree for you Fraser Firs are a good ‘in between’ option if the other two do not appeal. It has quite soft needles and has decent needle retention.

The Norway Spruce is the traditional style of Christmas tree. It has the worst needle retention of the three varieties and has firm pointed needles that anyone who has handled them will be all to aware of. However, our customers like them and they remain popular.

There are a few things to be aware of when buying and caring for your tree.

I would avoid buying a wrapped tree as there is no way of telling what shape it will be once it has been in a tree stand for a few days. Make sure you see the tree unwrapped and the shop should be able to wrap it again for transport or have it delivered.

When removing the wrapping from your tree always do it from the bottom up. This avoids pulling against the natural shape of the branches and pulling needles off unnecessarily.

Buy a fresh tree. As soon as a tree is cut down it starts to die from the base of the trunk. Trees that are harvested, stored and shipped may be weeks old by the time they are available for sale. As I mentioned earlier, our trees travel only a couple of hours to get to Cardwell, so we know they are fresh.

If possible, keep the tree outside until you want to put it up. Removing the wrapping at this point will allow the tree to ‘settle’ which just means that the branches will lower slightly as the tree regains it’s natural shape.

On most cut trees the base of the trunk will have started to harden. Cut off this part to leave fresh wood and once it is in a stand that will hold water the tree will actually take the water on and prolong its life while in your home. It is the same as you would do to cut flowers. Adding a little granulated sugar to the water will also help, but you must remember to check the water level and top it up as required.

Avoid placing the tree to close to a radiator if possible.

Follow these simple steps and your tree should see you through Christmas, but please remember each tree is unique. It is possible that the tree will not last as long as expected, but if this happens very quickly I would advise you to speak to the store where you purchased it.

They should be sympathetic if, like us, they are confident in the quality of their tree.

I do hope that you all have a great Christmas and a very happy New Year, from myself and everyone at Cardwell Garden Centre!

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 25

Clyde Life Events December Story Time Brunch with The Elves Saturdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, Sundays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd 8.30am - 11.00am - £11.95 Join our team of elves as they enjoy a well-earned break from toy-making. A lovely Christmas brunch experience which combines festive storytelling, Christmas crafts and an amazing Three Sisters Bake breakfast! For children aged 1 - 7. Three Sisters Bake Faith Avenue, Quarriers Village, Bridge of Weir.

Little Elves Christmas Crafternoon Tea Saturdays 1st, 8th, 15th Sundays 2nd, 9th 16th, 23rd, 12.00pm - 2.00pm or 3.00pm - 5.00pm - £14.95 Our Christmas elves are falling behind in the workshop and need your help to complete their list of jobs for Santa! Enjoy festive afternoon tea while helping the Elves to finish off their crafty Christmas duties! For children 4+. Three Sisters Bake Faith Avenue, Quarriers Village, Bridge of Weir.

26 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

Rat Pack Saturday 1st, 7.30pm - £19 The star-studded cast of the UK’s longest running Rat Pack show have achieved many accolades and awards after appearances worldwide, including seasons in The West End, A Royal Command Performance and numerous T.V shows including Strictly Come Dancing for The BBC last year The Albany Theatre, Greenock.

All Wrapped Up Sunday 2nd, 3.00pm - £12.50/£10.50 Elite Dance Academy are proud to present their fifth annual Christmas Show ‘All Wrapped up’, showcasing all students from babies to their advanced dancers. The perfect way to start the festive season - watch with family and friends as their talented dancers do what they do best. The Albany Theatre, Greenock.

@clydelifemag

December - January The McDougalls: Magical Toyshop

Sunday 2nd, 2.00pm - £6 It’s Christmas Eve in the Magical Toy Shop and Santa’s got the flu! The Elves have sent for the McDougalls to come and help with all the Christmas lists, but they need your help too! Will they wrap all the presents in time? The Albany, 10 Orangefield Place, Greenock.

Xmas Wreath Making Class

Monday 3rd, 11.00am - 1.00pm - £3 Get in the Christmas spirit at Belville and learn how to make a beautiful Xmas wreath for your door. We ask for a £3 minimum donation for this class to cover materials- please be kind to us if you can afford it, (classes in Glasgow cost £45!) Friendly workshop.

Belville Community Garden, Greenock.

Crafty Play Cafe

Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th, 10.00am - 12.00pm, 12.00pm - 2.00pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm - £2 Sick of Softplay? Three Sisters Bake have the answer! Come along to their Crafty Play Cafe on Tuesdays and enjoy a relaxing lunch or coffee while the kids play! Three Sisters Bake Faith Avenue, Quarriers Village, Bridge of Weir.

Wemyss Bay Christmas Lights Switch On

Friday 7th, 6.30pm Brass Sounds Inverclyde will be playing while Santa’s Grotto and a children’s entertainer will be hosted inside the community centre! There will also be snacks, tea, coffee, juice, and mulled wine available.

Wemyss Bay Community Centre.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Saturday 8th December, 8.00pm - £29.50 Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show so fierce it should carry a government health warning! From a cameo appearance at T in the Park in 2004 with The Darkness to opening the main stage in their own right in 2014, the past ten years has seen The Red Hot Chilli Pipers become the most famous bagpipe band on the planet – ever. Greenock Town Hall.

Peter Pan

Monday 10th - Saturday 22nd - £11/£9 Ceridwen Theatre’s charming retelling of JM Barrie’s classic story has been especially adapted for the stage this Christmas and features exquisite puppetry, an unforgettable original music score and heroic swordplay in an action-packed, festive family treat.

The Albany Theatre, Greenock.

Clyde Life Magazine

Oak Mall Artisan Market

Friday 14th, 10.00am - 4.00pm - Free Oak Mall Market offers a regular monthly market in the heart of the Greenock community! Stop by for fresh produce, homemade delights, arts & crafts and much more. Oak Mall Shopping Centre, 1A, Hamilton Gate, Greenock.

Carols at Cappielow

Sunday 16th, 4.00pm - 5.00pm This community event is a traditional carol service in the main stand at Greenock Morton FC.

Festive Wreath Making

Sunday 16th, 10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm - £7.50 Greenock Cut Visitor Centre

Eloquent Dance Academy 2018

Sunday 23rd, 6.00pm - £13 Eloquent Dance Academy present a ‘Christmas Spectacular’ not to be missed!

The Albany Theatre, Greenock.

Christmas with the Choir Brigade

Sunday 23rd, 7.00pm - £10 Relax and unwind into Christmas with The Choir Brigade and Pure Dynamic Jukebox. There promises to be music for all tastes. Lyle Kirk Community Church, Greenock, 01475 723956.

Beauty and the Beast

Monday 31st - Saturday 5th January - £15/£13 Three Spires & Guildhall make a welcome return to the theatre to tell the timeless tale of Beauty & the Beast. The Albany Theatre, Greenock.

January Practical Conservation Day

Saturday 12th, 10.30am - 3.00pm Start the new year with some light exercise in the form of conservation work at Muirshiel! Muirshiel Visitor Centre.

Best of Wham!

Friday 11th & Saturday 12th, 7.30pm - £26 Amazing vocals, costumes and choreography ensure that this show is a fun-packed and vibrant megamix tribute to the 80s pop sensations that features the very best of George, Andrew, Pepsi and Shirlie. The Albany Theatre, Greenock.

Adam Carter is Elvis

Friday 18th, 8.30pm - £15 A show that takes you from the Rock n Roll of the fifties through to the glitz of Las Vegas, you are guaranteed a great night singing along to the hits of The King. The Albany Theatre, Greenock 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 01475 745552/744404

www.enterprisechildcare.co.uk admin@enterprisechildcare.co.uk Yoga & Meditation

7pm-8.30pm

Boglestone CC

Wed

Jacci Stoyle

07790 262124

Yoga & Meditation, Mixed Ability

2.00pm-3.00pm

Greenock

Wed

Jacci Stoyle

07790 262124

Chair Yoga

1pm-1.45pm

Greenock

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

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

Birsay Yoga

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

Tue

Rachel Harper

01475 638481

Tai Chi

10.30am-11.30am Branchton CC

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

katiescotts@hotmail.com

7.30pm-8.30pm

Houston

Mon

Kate Black

07972 474965

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

28 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

@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

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

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

Langbank Greenock Golf Club Kilmacolm Gourock

2nd & 4th Mon Thur Tue Fri

Derrick McPherson Langbankcc1@gmail.com Heather Sinclair 07801 445102 David Walker 01505 873883 Ann-Marie Westwood 07971 607453

Other Clubs & Groups

Greenock Speakers Club 7:30pm - 10pm Ardgowan Club, Greenock Thur (Oct-Mar) Alastair MacDonald 01475 638613

Club Secretary aimacdon1@gmail.com MS Activities Group 11am-1pm Greenock Thu Stuart Anderson 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

Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Games Society

Inverclyde Ramblers

Dave Souza

07789 501605 01475 631654

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 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 Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 29

At Turtle Tots we are passionate about teaching babies and young children to swim; our programme is gentle and progressive offering a fantastic opportunity for some really special bonding time with your little one.

Our amazing Turtle Tots teachers are there to support you and your baby throughout your swimming journey and will always be on hand to guide and reassure you.

Relationships: Building strong relationships of trust through swimming Expertise: Exceptional people with a passion for what we do Inspire: Build confidence and a love of the water through play Safety: Respecting and creating a safe environment in which to explore At the forefront of our programme is the health and emotional well-being of parents and babies alike and our baby led approach ensures every swimmer progresses at a pace which is right for them.

We would love to welcome you and your swimmer to our classes with venues throughout Glasgow & the West including: Gleddoch House Hotel

Erskine Bridge Hotel

E: contactus@turtletots.com

E: swimming@turtletots.com

T: 07860 618 586

T: 07903 371 868

30 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018

@clydelifemag

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 31

CHRISTMAS at

The Chartroom 2018

Party Nights!

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHt TS way the perfec Our famous Party Nights are od! to get you into the festive mo

ous 4 course Arrive at 7.30pm for a sumptu h the par ty wit on Christmas Dinner, then it’s £26.00 y onl from g rtin until 1.00am Sta

CHRISTMAS EVE

Monday 24th December Relax before the big day and treat the family!

LAST ORDERS FOR FOOD 7.30PM

FRIDAY 28TH DECEMBER

The Christmas Supper Club presents live music from THE LOVELLS + Free Hot Supper!

TICKETS £10

HOGMANAY GALA DINNER DA NCE Cocktails & canapés, sumptuo us 4 course dinner, live music from Jimallywhy, danc ing till 2am with Radio Clyde’s Bill Smith & a piper at the bells! Tickets £65 per person. Early reservations strongly advised.

BOXING DAY at THE CHARTROOM 26th December 2 Courses £16.95 • Child menu £5.95

Open 1pm – 8pm • book now!

Tuesday 2nd January 1pm

– 8pm

START THE YEAR SIZZLE! WITH A fam ous Chicken Order one of our Price!

Sizzle’s and get a 2nd Half

01475 520919 • TheChartroom.co.uk 32 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2018 Kip Marina, Inverkip, PA16 0BF

@clydelifemag