Clyde Life February/March 2020 Issue 52

FEB/MAR 2020 ISSUE 52

SPRING FEVER STYLE FILES

SPRING BEGINS IN THE GARDEN

GREAT GEAR FOR KEEPING FIT

YEAR OF COASTS & WATERS BEGINS CL52 MASTER.indd 1

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CONTENTS

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MSP TALKS TRANSPORT FAB FITNESS GEAR

08 14 11 20 12 28

ROYAL GOUROCK YACHT CLUB BEACON ARTS NEWS WHAT’S ON GUIDE BEGINS

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24

14

MOTHERS’ DAY

D

id you know that originally Mother’s Day wasn’t about your mum at all?

It was the day you had to return to your Mother Church, where you were baptised, and as it was church law, all employers and apprentice masters had no choice but to let people go.

What a cunning plan to make them give servants and workers a day off.

As this was one of the few times people could go home and see their family they picked

Published by: Wyvex Media On the cover: The Cloch lighthouse

CONTACT INFO

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BE AN ECO WARRIOR

Photo credit: mountaintreks / Shutterstock

flowers along the way or brought home a gift.

As centuries unfolded the event became more about celebrating mothers.

So this year, on Sunday March 22 let your mum, granny or in-law know how much they are appreciated! We have plenty of inspiration for your Mothers’ Day celebration in this edition.

So make that reservation for lunch, get those flowers bought and a box of chocs wrapped because, yes, they are worth it!

Sales Director: Nicky Murphy nmurphy@wyvexmedia.co.uk 07786 861266 Features Editor: Joanne Simms joanne@clydelife.co.uk

/ClydeLifeMagazine @clydelifemag Website Design: plbwebdesign.co.uk Graphic Design: Grant Dickie – Scottish Field gdickie@scottishfield.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.

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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03/02/2020 12:07:51

I

It can be easy to ignore your misty windows, but failed double glazing can do a lot more than obscure your view.

If condensation is forming between your window panes, it means that there are gaps in the glass that are allowing in moisture.

Whether it’s due to physical damage or poor fitting, these gaps mean that heat from your home will escape – causing your energy bills to skyrocket.

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04/01/2019 09:36 03/02/2020 12:07:55

COME JOIN IN THE CLEAN UPS! A big round of applause to everyone who turns out in all weathers to help keep the Clyde and Inverclyde looking beautiful – why don’t you go along and join in the good fight

W

ith the arrival of spring comes some serious spring cleaning, not only our own homes but also our neighbourhoods.

And the work carried out by Inverclyde Council is backed up by hardy teams of volunteers who join in with litter picks and beach cleans.

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park rangers and Inverkip’s eco congregation are two such organisations arranging events; they do them throughout the year and amongst their biggest jobs are the first cleans of the year after winter gales have washed ashore litter or the winter die back of verges shows up all the hidden rubbish.

Each year the rangers work in conjunction with the Marine Conservation Society to carry out four official beach cleans to collect and record what type of litter is ending up on our beaches. This allows lobbying of governments to implement policy changes.

Their first clean up of the year was in January on a very stormy Saturday at Lunderston Bay. The 25 volunteers who joined in ranged in age from a three-year-old tot to pensioners. None of them let the weather stand in their way.

Between them they collected 27kg of waste was collected; 68 per cent of this was pieces of plastic and 27 per cent toiletry products like cotton buds and wet wipes.

Inverkip Church eco group coordinates litter picks in the village and the congregation is joined by volunteers from across village life.

The church is a member of Eco Congregation Scotland which is an interdenominational organisation based on the theme of caring for creation.

Hilary Cameron, the group’s convenor, says it is the only church in the presbytery to win the organisation’s bronze and silver awards and is now going for gold. The work fits seamlessly alongside Fairtrade activities and helps throughout the community with events like gardening litter picking and tree planting In the last three-and-a-half years they have collected more than 1,500kg of litter.

At their January litter pick alone they collected 22 bin bags weighing in at 83kg.

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MAKE A DATE Inverkip Parish Church eco group’s next village litter picks are on Saturday February 22 at 10am; Sunday March 15 at 1.30pm and Saturday April 18 at 10am.

Clyde Muirshiel rangers’ next clean up in on Saturday 25 April 25 from 11am to 1pm.

In each case the groups provide all equipment and the advice is dress for the weather on the day, and have suitable footwear.

Please check social media for final details nearer the time.

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

03/02/2020 12:07:56

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03/02/2020 12:07:56

EMJ LYMPHATICS G

ood news for everyone who has turned to Eliz Jennings for help with their oedema and lymphoedema problems, you can now visit her own clinic for treatment, help and advice.

Many people in the Inverclyde area with these debilitating problems will have visited Eliz at Ardgowan Hospice.

Redundancy made Eliz revisit her career path and decide to open her own clinic allowing people to come to her home where she has a dedicated room and she also works over in Dunoon.

‘Chronic oedema is usually caused by excess tissue fluid that had not yet returned to the circulatory system. Lymphoedema is swelling caused by excess protein-rich lymph trapped within the tissues.

‘Lymphedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system and this swelling occurs near the affected area and presents itself as swelling, over time the swelling can impair joint movement, the affected area can feel heavy, tight or pain, tissues harden and in some areas of the body such as the breast dimpling can occur - orange peel skin.’

Lymphedema can be congenital, where are born with a reduced lymphatic system, or you develop it secondary to something that damages the lymphatic system condition such as surgery or accidental trauma or injury or infection but is prevalent in Cancer patients and also people with reduced mobility/paralysis such as people suffering from MS, strokes and rheumatoid arthritis, among other things.

When Eliz began her nursing career more than 30 years ago she found most sufferers had awful sores and huge swelling that was bandaged and following this hosiery issued and was more often than not, having no impact on relieving the condition itself. It was the experience of seeing people suffer that prompted her to specialise.

After joining Ardgowan Hospice in 2003 as a nurse she trained at Glasgow University to become a lymphoedema nurse specialist.

She worked with patients to manage their chronic oedema/lymphoedema by gently moving the fluid to drain in

‘A lifeline service for so many who are in need of this treatment’

unaffected areas, and releasing blockages through manual lymphatic drainage combined with deep oscillation therapy, using the Hivamat 200 a unique noninvasive, non-traumatic therapy provides pleasant oscillation that penetrates deeply on all tissue components (skin, connective tissue, subcutaneous fat, muscles, blood and lymph vessels).

Eliz then recommends a regimen of hosiery and self-care to help maintain the lymphatic system.

She regularly crosses the Clyde to visit CHATS, part of Dunoon Hospice, where she treats people many of whom have been referred by their GP. ‘This really is a lifeline service for so many who are in need of this treatment and I am glad to be able to offer this service,’ said Eliz who is qualified in the management of Chronic Oedema, including Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Decongestive Lymphoedema Therapies at Glasgow University and registered with the British Lymphology Society and MLDuk.

Do you suffer from Lymphoedema?

Specialist massage therapy is available here in Inverclyde by Elizabeth Jennings.

Contact Elizabeth to arrange your treatment session in her therapy room in Bishopton, or in your own home if you are immobile.

Elizabeth is a fully qualified MLD UK therapist and a DLT member and is therefore fully trained in Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy to treat people with lymphoedema.

07455 196520 • emjlymphatics@btinternet.com 10

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03/02/2020 12:07:59

TRANSPORT AND THE ECONOMY Stuart McMillan, MSP for Inverclyde on bringing together transport officials and local business to look at infrastructure

T

ransport is unsurprisingly one of the top issues my office deals with given Inverclyde has two trunk roads, several ferry ports, two railway lines and numerous bus routes.

Considering there is only one main road out of Inverclyde, people mostly contact me about the trunk road network. This ranges from complaints about the condition of the A78/A8 to calls for a bypass.

I find myself in regular dialogue with Transport Scotland – which is why I invited transport officials to Inverclyde for a drive-around.

This was the second time I had organised a drivearound to highlight the issues local motorists face, but this time the meeting included representation from Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce to emphasis to Transport Scotland the impact on the local economy.

I am pleased that this drivearound resulted in: • The worst defects at the South Street roundabout on the A78 being repaired, with a resurfacing programme scheduled for this year • The vegetation at Newark roundabout being cut back, and the approach to the roundabout resurfaced • Sign cleaning, gully cleaning, road sweeping, weed spraying and removal, and the refurbishment of line markings and road studs also carried out.

In follow-up correspondence, I was told that a feasibility study regarding signalling improvements at the traffic lights along the A78 corridor will be conducted and provided to Transport Scotland for approval. This should help reduce congestion and improve bus reliability.

When our trunk roads flood leaving Inverclyde cut off, HGVs bringing supplies cannot reach the businesses they serve. It

Stuart McMillan MSP

also means commuters who rely on their cars or buses to travel to work are unable to do so – or are unable to get home.

This is counterproductive for boosting economic and population growth, which our area is in need of and we are trying to encourage.

That is why in my recent submission to the Strategic Transport Programme Review 2 (STPR2) I stressed the importance of a major transport project for Inverclyde.

I called for an extra hourly train service on the Wemyss Bay line as our population moves westwards due to significant housing proposals in the area. I also emphasised that, while we are facing a climate emergency, a bypass is necessary for attracting inward investment.

I will continue to push for improvements to Inverclyde’s transport infrastructure and welcome any feedback or suggestions from you.

Get in touch with Stuart McMillan MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde. Drop in surgeries last Friday of every month, except July and December, 10am Port Glasgow Library, 1pm Gourock Library. Telephone: 01475 720930.

Email: Stuart.Mcmillan.MSP@parliament.scot. Twitter: StuMcMillanSNP. Facebook: Stuart McMillan MSP

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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03/02/2020 12:08:10

THE

STYLE FILES

by Marilyn Thompson

It’s fashionable to be fit! Sportswear for everyday

F

ashion and Fitness make a perfect match and the name given to this hybrid is ‘Athleisure’. Defined in the dictionary as ‘casual clothing to be worn for exercising and general use’ it’s now one of the biggest influences in the fashion industry. According to Global Data statistics, the UK sportswear market is set to reach £6.7 billion by 2023 - Now, that’s a really big slice of the fashion pie!

Social media is part of the reason for this huge growth in everyday casual wear.

The ‘Instagram’ influencers - glossy girls who post lots of photographs showing themselves sipping healthy green juices, (freshly blended of course) to displaying their spectacular, (if slightly unrealistic), yoga moves on beautiful deserted beaches - all while wearing covetable high end sportswear.

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This ‘lifestyle’ is the perfect balance between performance, aesthetics and fashion and has us all wanting to tap into it. (Disclaimer - don’t try the ultra advanced yoga poses without the assistance of a trained professional!)

Seriously though, with more and more of us caring for our overall health and wellbeing, it makes perfect sense to feel comfortable and look amazing all at the same time.

Whilst undoubtedly casual, the Athleisure trend still takes time and effort to successfully pull together. However, once mastered it’s a wardrobe that will then easily take you from the early morning school run to your choice of fitness class - gym, spinning, running, yoga, boxing, dancing, golf or tennis and then on to whatever else the day may bring. There’s no need to change out of these

clothes - they are wear all day, look good, feel good products.

With Athleisure’s popularity soaring, it appears that most retailers want a slice of this calorie free, gluten free, sugar free, yet still delicious pie!

Everyone, from top design houses like Chanel and Gucci to high street shops like M&S, Matalan, New Look and H&M all have their own ‘in house’ designers working to bring us on trend athletic clothes.

While designer sportswear may be prohibitively expensive, if you are looking for something a bit different but more affordable - you could try these brands: Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, GymShark and Fabletics.

All of them offer well designed, fashion forward pieces. There’s also the more traditional brands such as Nike, Under Armour, New Balance and Adidas, all of whom are forging forward with innovative developments in fabrics and construction as well as design.

There’s everything from sweat wicking fabrics, which help keep your body cool, to technology which inhibits the growth of the bacteria which causes odour. There’s also lots of research and development being done on highly innovative tracking technology. Incorporated into sports and casual wear, it monitors your every breath and movement. (If you are into that kind of thing!)

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

03/02/2020 12:08:12

TEEN STYLE FILES

THE

Athleisure: Fashion & Functionality and, if you are on the go most of the day, it makes perfect sense to wear clothes and trainers which are specifically designed for actual athletes. If it’s good enough for them...

RUNNING INTO 2020

Awesome athletics

It’s a New Year - why not join your local running Club ? - it’s the perfect way to keep fit, make new friends and you get to wear the most fashionable sports kit, from shorts and leggings to crop tops, hoodies, vests and more - what’s not to like?

STATIONERY Keep track of your progress with this running journal. There’s even a part for planning your outfits!

Paperchase, £12

ACCESSORIES

You will need to hydrate.

So, a water bottle is a necessity. With so many to choose from you will be spoiled for choice.

This cute one is from npw, £8.

GADGET Invest in some technology with a Fitbit watch and you will soon wonder how you managed without it.

Fitbit,Very, £129.

DO’S & DONT’S:

RUNNING SHOES

• DO try on lots of brands.

• DO break them in.

• DO get professionally fitted.

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• DON’T prioritize style over comfort.

• DON’T wear wet you’ll get blisters!

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03/02/2020 12:08:15

ROYAL GOUROCK YACHT CLUB

R

oyal Gourock Yacht Club invites new Members of all ages and experiences to join and enjoy: • Social sailing and winter theory and social meetings • Club’s six safe one design Piper yachts • Coastal and social rowing with two new St Ayles Skiffs • All year-round social events • Waterfront Clubhouse with veranda, bar and excellent dining facilities • Cost effective moorings served by club launches • Excellent mid-week and weekend racing • Cadets section learns to sail yachts, Toppers and row • Four on the water sailing or rowing classes free of charge Try sailing with our social sailing programme on one of our six Piper Class keelboats during the sailing season, on Friday evenings between 19:00 and 21:00 from May to September. Be trained as a Piper class helm; crew on the club’s races or just have a good time sailing and cruising.

Join in the fast-growing water based activity of coastal rowing with our brand new four-person plus cox St Ayles skiffs. It is a great healthy and social activity for every one of all ages and levels of fitness. Men, women and mixed crews meet and enjoy rowing on the Clyde or participating in countrywide events.

Members meet like-minded people; enjoy all year-round events and activities in our historic clubhouse with welcoming bar and excellent dining. Enjoy musical afternoons, quiz nights, dances and barbecues.

This is the perfect opportunity to get involved with the club as it’s the year of coast and waters.

For more information on house, associate and ordinary memberships contact: The Clubhouse, Ashton, Gourock, PA19 1EW Tel Office: 01475 632983.

Tel Clubhouse: 01475 637192.

Email: rgyccoastalrowing@gmail.com www.rgyc.org.uk Facebook: royal gourock yacht club

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03/02/2020 12:08:19

The Clyde from Lyle Hill Greenock. Robert Colquhoun/Shutterstock

YEAR OF COASTS AND WATERS Wet your appetite for a year of celebrations

T

his is Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters rgyccoastalrowing@gmail.com. and it goes without saying that the Clyde will This autumn Scotland’s Boat Show and Kip play a major role in the festivities.

Marina will make a splash in 2020 with a brandAcross Scotland there will be events for new event that will see Scotland’s biggest boat everything from canals to the coast and all the mighty show’s programme extended into the evening by lochs and wee lochans in between. Nature, wildlife, creating a ‘River of Light’. culture, history, food, environment, sport and leisure Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of you name it and you will find it celebrated this year.

VisitScotland, has called the event ‘a fantastic As a great way to get involved in this the Year of opportunity to play to our strengths’.

Coasts and Waters, the Royal Gourock Yacht Club He said: ‘Our coasts and waters are host to is inviting new members. There is a social sailing an amazing array of riches and are greatly valued programme for those who would love to try it and the and cherished by visitors and locals alike, so it’s new coastal rowing activity is a great healthy outdoor fitting that we have a full-year placing them in the activity with members building the club’s own St spotlight.

Ayles skiffs, a venture which is supported by the ‘From fishing and textiles, to whisky and wave European LEADER Grant. power, Scotland’s waters have shaped us’ A novel way of financing the club’s contribution This summer will see a new state of the art to this is by ‘selling’ 1/64th shares visitor centre welcoming cruise Viking Style, for £100 each and ship passengers from across the for which a name is added, or world in Greenock. It will allow up commemorated, on the skiff’s to 150,000 passengers a year to ‘From fishing and planking. pass through Greenock Ocean There are social activities in the Terminal, bringing with them £26 textiles, to whisky and club’s historic waterfront clubhouse million in annual visitor and crew wave power, Scotland’s and 2020 is the 100th Anniversary spending. Greenock is the top waters have shaped us’ race in August for the trophy UK cruise destination and also in presented by King George V. the top five for Western Europe.

For more information email WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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03/02/2020 12:08:21

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HEY THERE, YOU SAINT VALENTINE LOVE BIRDS! WE STILL LOVE YOU

For this was on seynt Valentynes day, Whan every foul cometh ther to chese his make, Of every kinde, that men thenke may; And that so huge a noyse gan they make, That erthe and see, and tree, and every lake So ful was, that unnethe was ther space For me to stonde, so ful was al the place.

G

eoffrey Chaucer wrote the Parlement of Foules Parliament of the Birds in 1382 for the engagement of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia; both were only 15-years-old.

The idea stuck; Valentine’s day is tradition and folklore when birds choose their mates.

S

t Valentine may have been demoted but his saints’ day continues regardless.

The saint who became a by-word for romance had his feast removed from the general church calendar in the late 1960s.

With little confirmed about his life and the chance that there might be two or more Valentines, whose stories merged over the centuries, led to his demotion and the removal of his liturgical feast.

Pope Gelasius had made him a saint back in 496AD. There is no doubting there was a Valentine; archaeologists found a catacomb in Rome dedicated to him and his feast still appears on the calendar of some local churches, particularly the Diocese of Terni, Narni and Amelia in the Umbria region where St Valentine is claimed as a former bishop The diocese says it has hard evidence that the martyred Bishop Valentine was known and venerated in the city about 65 miles north of Rome, as far back as the seventh century.

From top: Love birds cushion (amara.com); Be my Valentine card (cambridgeimprint.co.uk); Love birds book ends (oliverbonas.com).

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03/02/2020 12:08:41

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03/02/2020 12:08:42

Sat 15 Feb | 7:30pm | £23

ALASTAIR HOUSTON EXHIBITION

Sat 1 – Sat 29 Feb

Sat 22 Feb | 7:30pm | £23/£22

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Sat 4 Mar 8pm £15/£13 (conc)

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK Greenock Arts Guild Limited Trading as Beacon Arts Centre. Registered in Scotland Company No. SC024805 Registered Scottish Charity No. SC003030

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CROFT & PEARCE:

Double Take Sat 14 Mar | 8pm | £12/£10 (conc)

Fri 6 Mar | 7.30pm | £23

Sat 7 Mar | 7.30pm | £25/£23 (conc)

PATRICK MONAHAN: STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM, NOW I’M HERE

Sat 21 Mar | 8pm | £12/£10 (conc) WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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Fri 17 Apr | 2.30pm & 7pm £18/£16 (conc) 21

03/02/2020 12:08:43

ENTHUSE YOUR KERB! Your ‘kerb appeal’ will bring the buyers flocking

S

pring is just around the corner and we will soon see that multi-coloured species, the ‘for sale’ sign, blossom in gardens all over the neighbourhood.

So make your first impression count with ‘kerb appeal’ to make sure that potential buyers like what they see as they arrive.

A morning’s labour will reap dividends when you do a front garden feng-shui by having a good tidy and clean up.

Remove winter’s plant debris, with a little judicial shrub and hedge pruning where needed, and pull up any weed daring to show its face.

Give hanging baskets and pots a clean before replanting with fresh spring bedding.

Garden seats and ornaments will look better for a good scrub and give those gnomes of yours their annual bath! A old nailbrush and a bucket of hot water and detergent will do it.

Get a sweeping brush, power washer or gravel rake, depending on your chosen surfaces and go to work on the drive. Who needs the gym for a work out?

Don’t just clean the windows but also the frames, the doors and their fittings and steps.

Evict any spiders and their webs on show in the porch.

If it’s needed, reach for a paint pot for touch ups.

Make sure the front gate looks good and the hinges and latch are working smoothly.

Hide or camouflage the wheelie bins, if they have to stay at the front, and give them a good scrub too.

Lastly make sure the cars on the drive are clean and tidy too!

w

From top: Tidy up your wheelies! (gardenfurniturecentre. co.uk); Metal accessories like these galvanised metal planters send a subtle message of dependable quality (gardentrading.co.uk); You can never go wrong with terracotta, in a traditional or modern design (dobbies.com); Add a unique wow factor with a custom-designed window (film.purlfrost.com).

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03/02/2020 12:08:47

PREPARE FOR SPRING

Potted Spring bulbs, new season’s seeds, winter/spring bedding and much more now in stock. Expert advice available in store.

Lunderston Bay, Gourock, Inverclyde, PA19 1BB 01475 521 536 www.cardwellgardencentre.co.uk

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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03/02/2020 12:08:48

WE LOVE THE SPRING! Kieran Gallagher says it is important to take the time to mark Spring’s arrival while working in your garden

N

ow that the festive period is a distant memory and we are all trying to maintain our New Year’s resolutions, our collective thoughts can turn to Spring and the inevitable burst of colour and life that awaits us in our gardens and in nature.

We love Spring at Cardwell and I think it is important to take the time to welcome it’s arrival.

The transition between the bare branches of deciduous trees and shrubs and the first bright green signs of growth are one of the most heart-warming sights of the season. Even an evergreen Laurel hedge outside my living room window will have an amazing range of shades of green that are, honestly, the highlight of an otherwise plain display throughout the year.

Although the winter weather has brought more wind and rain than anything else it is too early to assume that we have escaped any frost or snow. February, March and even April will almost certainly hold some frost for our gardens, particularly if you live inland. Coastlines and cities tend to avoid the worst of the cold, but precautions should still be taken.

Have a look around your trees and bushes for damage caused by the high winds we have experienced. Damaged limbs are usually best removed and if these limbs are of a significant size or are high up, please consider hiring a professional to help you.

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03/02/2020 12:08:54

The type of fertiliser to use will, again, depend As always, obtain quotations for any work on what you plan on growing. It is definitely worth you require and check that the operator has any taking a little time to plan what you intend to plant necessary insurance before allowing them to work where, bearing in mind what you wish to achieve on your property. when it is all said and done. Height, width and We have been subjected to a high volume of colour should be considered. rain in Gourock over the last three or four months, A natural fertiliser like well-rotted manure or a high even for Gourock! The ground is at saturation man-made granular fertiliser are commonly used point in many places and, unless you are able to to boost your soil. Both will offer your plants all the provide sufficient drainage, there is not a lot you nutrients they need when they are planted and, can do about it. depending on the fertiliser used, Try not to walk on the lawn if will feed them through at least the soil underneath is very wet the early part of the season. as you may leave indents which In most cases some more could remain once the grass has ‘The first bright green fertiliser will need to be added recovered. The flip side of that signs of growth are one of later in the year and this may advice is that this is the ideal the most heart-warming need to be a different fertiliser time to sort out any bumps that to achieve different outcomes. you already have on the lawn. sights of the season’ I have said it before, there is no Other than perhaps using a one fertiliser that is suitable for garden fork or aerator to create everything in your garden. drainage through the upper layer If you are not familiar with the of soil, I would suggest you leave large range of fertilisers and other treatments that the lawn alone until at least April, maybe even May. If it does begin to grow during a mild spell, then we stock at Cardwell, we are more than happy to guide you through and help you choose exactly you should only give it a very light trim. This will what you need. It can appear daunting trying to allow it to build up it’s strength prior to the main figure out what is right for you and most folk are growing season. not experts, but our staff are.

Beds and borders in the garden can be We offer free and unbiased advice, so please reinvigorated by the addition of fertiliser, which do not be afraid to ask for help with any aspect of should be dug through the soil to a similar depth your garden. as the plants that you intend to use. The aim here And remember to take the time to simply notice is to mix the fertiliser a little bit deeper and wider than the root system of the plants that will live here, Spring’s arrival. It won’t come around again until next year. allowing the roots access to the nutrients as they grow.

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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03/02/2020 12:08:58

A SELECTION OF EVENTS AT

FINLAYSTONE ESTATE FEBRUARY

SNOWDROP WALK Every Sunday in February, 1pm to 1.40pm and 2pm – 2.40pm. Join the Ranger for an informative walk around Paradise and Burnside paths.

MARCH

Sunday 29th MOTHER’S DAY WALK 1 – 3pm.

Bring mum along for a gentle stroll through the woodland with moderate slopes then relax afterwards with a cream tea in the tearoom.

For more information and lots more about Finlaystone Country Estate, visit WWW.FINLAYSTONE.CO.UK

Sunday 1st JUNIOR CROSS-COUNTRY TIMED RACE 1pm – 3pm. Do your kids think they are Speedy Gonzales? Put their stamina to the test. Visit website for more info.

Sunday 8th RANGER HIKE 1pm – 3pm. Join the Rangers for a brisk walk around our best woodland trails.

Sunday 15th SCAVENGER HUNT 1 – 3pm. Join the Rangers to search around for some natural spring wonders.

Sunday 22nd DEN BUILD 1 – 3pm Learn how to build a solid den and try your hand at fire-lighting with the Rangers on the first den-build of the year!

ADVERTISE WITH US 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 Nicky Murphy on 07786 861266 nmurphy@wyvexmedia.co.uk • www.clydelife.co.uk 26

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WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

03/02/2020 12:09:00

INVERCLYDE SPORTS PERSONALITY AWARDS The Inverclyde Sports Personality Awards are back!

T

he search has started for the Inverclyde sports people who have made the headlines in 2019, culminating in the glittering awards dinner which this year will take place in the Greenock Town Hall on Friday 27th March 2020. The 2019 awards promise to be another very enjoyable occasion for all involved.

The nine categories of award for 2019 remain the Inverclyde Senior Sports Personality of the Year, Junior Sports Personality of the Year, Disabled Sports Personality of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, Team of the Year, School Team of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year (up to age 25) and Adult Volunteer of the Year.

The 2019 awards are once again organised by West College Scotland, Inverclyde Council through Active Schools, Inverclyde Leisure, New Horizons Marketing and sportscotland with technical help from 8digital. Anyone, whether a club, official or individual can nominate in any and all of the nine categories either online on the awards website www. inverclydesportspersonality.com or download the forms there and complete and post them to Inverclyde Sports Personality Awards, 43a Esplanade, Greenock PA16 7RY. Nomination forms will also be available in all Inverclyde Leisure facilities.

Nominations which should cover successes during the 2019 calendar year are warmly invited by the organisers and need to be in by Monday 3 February 2019 either online or by post, with the requested photographs. Late entries will be accepted for a few days thereafter.

On behalf of the organisers Chris Jewell from New Horizons Marketing said, ‘Last year’s awards produced a considerable number of nominations and some very worthy winners.

2019 was a great year for many Inverclyde sportspeople so please nominate your local sporting heroes so they have the best chance of winning an award. They have got to be in it to win it!’

Once again, the net proceeds from the Awards will go towards providing grants to aspiring Inverclyde sportspeople to help them compete at regional, national and international events.

New and recent sponsors of these prestigious awards include West College Scotland, Specsavers Greenock, Inverclyde Leisure, Inverclyde Council, Oak Mall Shopping Centre, Amazon, Ogilvie Homes, Riverside Inverclyde, Morton in the Community, sportscotland and Ice Catering and Events.

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More information about the awards is available is on the website www. inverclydesportspersonality. com or from the organisers on 01475 783000 or by email to: ispagreenock@gmail.com

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03/02/2020 12:09:01

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

To

P

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

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

General Yoga

8.00pm-9.15pm

Bridge of Weir

Thu

Janis Green

07748 150001

10.00am-11-00am Kilmacolm

Mon

Janis Green

07748 150001

1.30pm 10.30am

Mon Tue

Fiona Bretherton Fiona Bretherton

07811 766672 07811 766672

Move it or lose it! - More than just a fitness class for the over 60s

Gourock Bridge of Weir

07748 150001

1.30pm

Greenock

Tue

Fiona Bretherton

07811 766672

10.30am

Houston

Thu

Fiona Bretherton

07811 766672

2.00pm

Kilbarchan

Thu

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

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03/02/2020 12:09:01

S

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

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

Ann MacLeod

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!

ADVERTISE WITH US contact Nicky Murphy on 07786 861266 nmurphy@wyvexmedia.co.uk OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm

Clyde Blinds Ltd Are you looking for high quality blinds?

Call into our extensive showroom today!

5 Salmon Street, Greenock, PA15 1TF 01475 728547

Covers Dunoon and surrounding areas and also does caravans!

blindsbygerry.co.uk WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

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03/02/2020 12:09:02

RECIPE

METHOD

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CRÈME BRÛLÉE INGREDIENTS

4 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped 1 3/4 cups double cream 6 large egg yolks 1 whole large egg 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 3/4 cups milk 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or any Orange liqueur 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar or raw sugar 30

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Put chocolate in a small metal bowl. In a heavy saucepan heat 1/2 cup cream over moderately high heat until it just comes to a boil and pour over chocolate. Let chocolate stand until softened and whisk mixture until smooth.

In a bowl whisk together yolks, whole egg, and granulated sugar and whisk in chocolate mixture.

In pan heat remaining 1 1/4 cups cream and milk until mixture just comes to a boil. Add milk mixture to egg mixture in a stream, whisking, and whisk in Grand Marnier and zest. Skim off any froth.

Divide custard among eight 1/2-cup flameproof ramekins set in a roasting pan and add enough hot water to pan to reach halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake custards in middle of oven until they are just set but still tremble slightly, about 40 minutes. Remove ramekins from pan and cool custards. Chill custards covered loosely with plastic wrap, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Our pyromaniac chefs love to use a blow torch for this part but if you have a raised tray for your grill that works just as well!

Sift brown sugar evenly over custards and torch/grill custards until sugar is melted and caramelized, about 2 minutes.

WWW.CLYDELIFE.CO.UK

03/02/2020 12:09:03

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03/02/2020 12:09:04

Clyde Comedy Festival presents

Saturday

RICHHALL

13June 2020

AND FRIENDS THE CHARTROOM KIP MARINA, INVERKIP

DOORS OPEN 7PM STARTS 8PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE ON EVENTBRITE & CHARTROOM @ComedyClyde

@TheChartroom

@ClydeComedyFestival

@chartroom.marina @therichhall

@richhall

In association with

! y a D s ’ e n i t n e l a V t S Friday 14th February TREAT YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE! 2 Courses & Cocktail £18 per person Non-alcoholic alternatives available!

Our Valentines Menu will also be available from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th Reserve your table now by calling 01475 520919

Whatever you’re Celebrating…

Have a Party!

2 courses £12 EVERY DAY 5-7pm *excludes special event days

New Party Package Special!

DJ, Glass of Fizz & Buffet for up to 150 guests From £600* *T&C Apply

Call 01475 520919 thechartroom.co.uk

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24/01/2020 Friday, 24 January 11:09 03/02/2020 12:09:05