257 February 2016 - Gryffe Advertizer

February 2016 No.257
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Distributed to:
• Bishopton
• Bridge of Weir
• Brookfield
• Elderslie
• Houston
• Howwood
• Kilbarchan
• Kilmacolm
• Langbank
• Lochwinnoch
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Snowdrops at Finlaystone Estate, Langbank
Gryffe
ADVERTIZER
your LOCAL community magazine February 2016 No. 257
PLEASE TAKE A FREE COPY OF YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

2 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Expert Gutter Cleaning
With Winter now well and truly here the wind has now blown the last
of the leaves off the trees and unfortunately many of them are now
lying in our gutters along with moss, twigs, etc blocking the gutter and
stopping the water from flowing down the spout where it should go.
We use a state of the art carbon fibre gutter vacuum system which
is safer for your gutters and safer for us giving a more efficient &
effective clean than old fashioned methods whilst potentially saving
you money. Call now for a free quote. 01505 863 863.
Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal
Every March, thousands of people across the country join together and pull out
all the stops to get behind the Great Daffodil Appeal.
Why not join us for just two
hours to collect donations
and give out daffodil pins?
Every £20 pays for an hour
of nursing care – giving
peace of mind to people
living with terminal illness
and a chance for their
family to rest.
You’ll see daffodils
everywhere in March –
from your local high street
to national TV – and we want you to be part of it.
Sign up with a friend if you like at https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/
daffodil-appeal and get involved!

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
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contact us
The Gryffe Advertizer
Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN
t: 01505 613340 or e: info@advertizer.co.uk
For more information please call us on 01505 613340
or check our website at www.advertizer.co.uk
Next Issue: No.258 March 2016
Deadline: Friday 12th February 2016
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without
written permission is strictly prohibited. The Gryffe Advertizer
cannot be held responsible for unsolicited materials. The views and
opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the
views of the publishers. The Gryffe Advertizer takes no responsibility
for claims made by advertisements in this publication.
contents
local news..........................8-12
dental blog.............................13
photography hints & tips.......16
what’s on.............................14-20
business news.....................25
financial blog.........................25
it blog..................................25
local history...........................28
on the road...............................29
pets...............................22-23
pet blog ............................22
village news....................30-39
outdoors..........................40-43
sports & clubs news.............49-51
sporting blog..........................51
schools news.....................44-48
advertiser directory................55
business classified...........52-53
church listings....................53
deadlines dates...................53
property classified.................53
sales & wants......................54
This Month
Do you remember what happened in 2007?
Did you know we’ve got all our back issues online? All the way back to 2007 with
a couple even older than that! I received a notification that one of our online
issues (Jan 2008) hadn’t been looked at for some time and would be taken
down, so a quick review and a share on facebook got that one reactivated. In
reading through the January 2008 issue, I noticed that I had commented on
the completion of extensions at both Gryffe High and Houston Primary schools.
Also, the three new sets of traffic lights: 1. Houston Road / Kilmacolm Rd,
Bridge of Weir; 2. Torr Road / Main St, Bridge of Weir; 3. Magnus Road /
Houston Rd, Houston. The traffic lights may not be perfect, but it’s hard now to
remember how awful these junctions were before.
By the end of 2007, the new gym at Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm was almost
complete and in Lochwinnoch the Community Buy-out Group was awarded the
‘right to buy’ the former Struthers bottling plant, while the dangerous junction
at the Beith Road was being sorted out with a new roundabout. Sadly the
Struthers purchase didn’t go ahead and that building still sits empty, but the
new roundabout at the Beith Road is a huge improvement.
Local funding
It was reported in the news a couple of weeks ago that council tax in Scotland
has not increased since 2007. This was a strategy by the Scottish Government
to freeze council tax, which seemed like good idea at the time, but as councils
have struggled year after year under ever-reducing budgets, maybe it is time for
a rethink. We hear now that Moray Council have decided enough is enough and
are proposing an increase of around 18%. They have calculated that this is the
figure they need to maintain the level of service the public expect. Of course,
if they had made increases year on year in line with inflation, it would probably
be far more than the 18% rise suggested now. But the public will perceive this
as a huge increase and there will be complaints; although I’m sure there will be
even more disgruntled constituents if their services were cut even further.
Tale of a Dog
This time last year, we reported on a happy ending for a wee dog who’d gotten
lost. The power of social media works well in these circumstances. A couple of
weeks ago, a lovely dog found in Kilmacolm had her photo posted on Facebook
by a concerned villager. After The Advertizer shared the post, we got a message
from a reader saying their friends visiting from afar had just lost their dog.
Putting the two in touch with each other, we quickly established it was indeed
the missing pooch and everyone was happy again. Like it, or not, (no pun
intended) Facebook has it’s uses.
On the Road
We hear there are to be improvements at the roundabout on the A8 at Langbank.
Much needed many will say, following an increasing number of ‘near-misses’
as traffic speeds through that junction. We’ll update as plans progress.
Check out proposed roadworks by visiting www.roadworksscotland.org or via
our two local council websites, www.renfrewshire.gov.uk and www.inverclyde.
gov.uk. We’ll try to keep you updated too on Facebook and Twitter - please
follow our facebook page, “Gryffe Roadwatch”, for regular updates on road
repairs and conditions. Facebookers can also post to this page, so if you’re out
and about and see a hold-up, please let us know.
Next deadline Friday 12 February!
The Advertizer is the ideal platform to tell the community your news as we
reach over 13,000 homes and businesses in the Gryffe area.
Send in your news and photos to: info@advertizer.co.uk
Rona

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Volunteers required to help with Snowdrops
Regular visitors will be aware that
February is Snowdrop time at
Finlaystone and many hours are spent
lifting, splitting, selling and replanting
these magnificent plants. If you would
like to be part of this activity, even if
it is just for a couple of hours, please
contact Norah or Fraser on 01475
540505 or email shop@finlaystone.
co.uk

6 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Call To Yarns! A Community Project
It is time for The Renfrewshire Tapestry
Andrew Crummy, Scottish artist and designer - who drew the panels for the
Battle of Prestonpans, the Great Tapestry of Scotland and the Scottish
Diaspora Tapestry - will be working together with an eclectic group of people to
create a tapestry for Renfrewshire. It will be a celebration of the amazing global
importance of this part of Scotland, a tourism draw and have its part to play in
the City of Culture bid 2021.
Want to know more? Want to
take part?
Everyone is welcome to our Call
to Yarns! – The Renfrewshire
Tapestry project launch on
Saturday 20 February at
Paisley Abbey from 11am
until 1pm
Andrew Crummy will be
introducing the project, as
well as leading a workshop.
You can also:- Take part in a textile walk; - Chat to historians
and meet up with a monk, walk with Wallace, greet a gallus Mill Girl…; -
Tell your stories and memories; - Try your hand at a stitch or more; - Please
also - Donate your tapestry wool - authentic Anchor tapestry wool is needed
to sew the tapestry. We are determined the tapestry will only be sewn with
authentic Anchor yarn. Please look out any tapestry wool that you have in your
households… and bring it with you.
The Renfrewshire Tapestry will reflect the wonderful history of Renfrewshire.
Everyone who is involved will be acknowledged in this stepping stone in the
continued celebration of the unique status of Renfrewshire.
WELCOME to Call to Yarns! - The Renfrewshire Tapestry Launch
Further details or any questions – call: 07702 961301
Image copyright of Andrew Crummy, Alex Hewitt and Weaving Musical Threads [WMT]

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Carol Thomas - cycle track at Kilbarchan
Advertizer readers are being given an exclusive 15% early bird discount for
the RAMH 2016 Dinner & Quiz on Friday 13th May at the Normandy Hotel,
Renfrew. This year’s fabulous event is sponsored by University West of Scotland
and includes a fizz reception, delicious 3 course meal and celeb-hosted quiz.
Guests can compete for the champions’ trophy either as a business, or a team
of fab friends.
Save 15% by booking before Friday 26th February; tickets are only £29.95 p/p
when you contact enquiries@ramh.org or 0141 847 8900 quoting RAMH1605.
Bookings made after 26th Feb return to the regular price of £35 p/p. Teams
are of 10 guests maximum.
The complementary reception begins
at 7pm with dinner commencing
at 7.30pm. There are 8 rounds of
quiz questions ending at midnight
followed by dancing until 1am. Dress
is smart/casual.
This fun filled event is terrific value for
money and your support will enable
local people to recover from mental
ill health and build independent,
fulfilled lives. RAMH looks forward to
seeing you there!
With the Christmas holidays being a
distant memory and an Easter break
still a long way away, staying mentally
healthy at work is key to sustaining
yourself. Top tips include:
• Go home on time
• Take a lunchbreak
• Set realistic deadlines
• Take your holiday leave
• Allocate time to do the things
you enjoy
RAMH is here for you 365 days a year.
If you live in Renfrewshire and need
urgent support call 0141 848 9090
or (freephone from landlines) 0500
829 093. For information about other
available services visit www.ramh.org
or call 0141 847 8900.
15% early bird discount
for the RAMH 2016
Dinner & Quiz !
Save The
Children
Noel and Holly are pleased to
announce that they were successful
in finding a loving home for Christmas.
The winner of the raffle was Isobel
Evans who has twin-grandchildren –
we know we will be very happy with
them.
Tricia and Lyn are pleased to donate
the £100 raised to help to improve
the often appalling and tragic lives
some children have to endure in the
UK and worldwide. Many thanks to
all who purchased raffle tickets and
made this possible and to Three
Sisters Bake who hosted the raffle.
Dream children meet
the cast of Aladdin
Two young Inverclyde girls, Hollie Watt and Emma
Mackintosh enjoyed a special time when they were
able with their families to enjoy the pantomime Aladdin
at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock and then meet the cast.
Arranged by Dreams
Come True in
Inverclyde with the
help of the Beacon, the
girls’ parents said that
they all greatly enjoyed
the occasion. Chris
Jewell, Inverclyde Coordinator
for Dreams
Come True, added,
“We were very pleased
to make this happen
for the girls and are
extremely grateful to the Beacon staff and to the cast for their help.”
Both girls recently received their dreams come true, Holly’s being to receive a
new sensory ball pit while Emma went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Chris added, ‘We hope to make many more dreams come true for children and
young people aged 2 to 21 who are seriously ill or who have life limiting medical
conditions. Anyone can nominate a child or young person to receive a dream on
the charity’s website www.dreamscometrue.uk.com or by getting in touch with
me on 01475 783000 or by email to me at chris@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Louise is a hit with singer
Jason Donovan
A Slimming World Consultant from Houston
is feeling ready to make any (weight-loss)
dream come true after meeting legendary
soap actor and pop star Jason Donovan.
Louise O’Neill, who runs a Slimming World
group at New Tweedie Hall, Linwood every
Tuesday, was delighted to get a chance to
cuddle up to the Australian heartthrob when
he swapped Ramsay Street for the annual
Slimming World Awards. He co-hosted the
event with the organisation’s chair and
founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.
Louise said meeting Jason was a wonderful
way to round off a fabulous year for the
Linwood Slimming World group, as well as a
great way to get ready for another successful
12 months: “I couldn’t be prouder of the
members of the Linwood group. They’ve lost
fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2015, with many of them making their
weight loss dreams come true by hitting their target weight, improving their
health and more.
Please Give Blood
Boglestone Community Centre
Dubbs Place, Port Glasgow PA14 5UD
Monday, 15 February
4pm - 7.30pm
Slimming World Consultant Louise
O’Neill meets former soap star and
singer Jason Donovan.
Kirklandneuk Community Centre
Ness Road, Renfrew PA4 9DE
Thursday, 18 February
2pm - 3.45pm & 5.15pm - 7.30pm

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
A Gem in the Crown
of Inverclyde
9 9
One of Scotland’s oldest registered charities is on
our doorstep and yet many local people are unaware
of its charitable objectives and the good work that
it does. It is Greenock Medical Aid Society, and as it
exists today, was constituted through the merger of
two organisations with similar objectives in the field of
charitable work.
The Greenock Destitute Sick Society was founded in 1798 to provide assistance
to widows and other women who had been abandoned and who lived in poverty
within the rapidly developing township of Greenock. The local merchants of
that time provided funds which purchased food and other essentials for these
vulnerable families who lived in abject poverty.
The Greenock Medical Aid Society was inaugurated in 1876 to provide care
for those who had fallen ill and could no longer be assisted by the Greenock
Destitute Society
In 1917, The Greenock Medical Aid Society joined with The Greenock Destitute
Sick Society to be known as Greenock Medical Aid Society.
Over the years, the Society has evolved and developed its services to meet
the needs of the people of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire in changing times.
Nowadays, the Society operates two care homes for older people with nursing
support at Glenfield and at Bagatelle, both located in the west end of Greenock.
Admissions are accepted from anyone resident in the west of Scotland and
from those who have a past or present connection with the area.
The Society has set as its main objective the provision of the highest standards
of care and nursing support for those who live in Bagatelle and Glenfield.
Recent reports issued by the Care Inspectorate confirm that the Society’s prime
objective of providing care of the highest quality is being achieved.
For further information and admission procedure, contact: Greenock Medical
Aid Society, Admin office, 47 Eldon Street, Greenock PA16 7RA Tel: 01475
729424 Email: admin@gmas.org.uk Website: www.gmas.org.uk
Blanket Appeal!
In March 2016, at The Quilting Show in Glasgow, WMT is
exhibiting ‘Comfort for Kindness’ - 40 quilts from the Canadian Red Cross Quilt
Research Group collection, quilts made and then sent all the way from Canada
for displaced people in the UK, during WWII:
Alongside, it is our hope that the compassion and kindness shown by the women
of Canada and their Canadian Red Cross Quilts will be echoed in this Scottish
Blanket Appeal – and not just by women this time, by everyone.
We are asking crafters, groups, and individuals throughout Scotland and further
afield, to donate handmade blankets that we will hand on to the Scottish Refugee
Council – an independent Scottish charity which helps refugee families to meet
the challenges of settling in
Scotland.
As with the WWII Quilts,
we will also attach a label
to each blanket but with a
swatch of tartan; to express the message of love,
to celebrate our heritage and culture and to raise
awareness for the Incorporation of Weavers of
Glasgow and the Scottish Tartan Authority. We are
very grateful that the swatches of tartan are being
supplied to WMT by Houston’s of Paisley.
The blankets can be: quilted, fleece, woven, knitted,
crocheted or sewn.......
Sizes can vary from infant shawls to children’s
blankets and single bed covers, please.
We plan to gather so many blankets that we also
have enough to be able to gift some to Mary’s
Meals – a second Scottish charity - that provides
food and education for children in the world’s
poorest communities, and raises awareness of
people’s plights.
We hope that you can help us.
Contact details: Weaving Musical Threads (WMT),
Tel: 0141 882 4520 / 07990 981682
Email: info@weavingmusicalthreads.com
www.weavingmusicalthreads.com

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www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Morrison’s Smooth Operators
11 11
Back in November, four brave employees from Morrison’s
Johnstone undertook a hair-raising challenge for St
Vincent’s Hospice.
The four employees, Stephen Blane, David Jelphs, Chris Toogood,
and David Kenny took to the waxing table and braved the clippers to raise just
under £1,000 for local patient care. Long-haired Stephen agreed to have his
locks sheared (but drew the line at allowing his beard to be shaved!), while the
two Davids and Chris writhed in pain as their legs were waxed by Kat from ‘Be
Gorgeous Hair ‘n’ Beauty’. Customers got involved too, with many donating £5
to wrench a strip of wax from the boys’ legs.
Chris Toogood
Stephen Blane pre-head
shave
Stephen Blane post
head shave
Audrey Cave, manager of ‘Be Gorgeous’, said, “As a new business, it was a
privilege to get involved in this community event. My team thoroughly enjoyed
the day, and we were delighted to help such a worthwhile local charity.”
Scones and Songs
(Back row from left) Cheryl Mahoney, Audrey Cave, Chris Toogood, Stephen Blane,
David Kenny, David Jephs.
(Front row from left) Katrina McLeod, Louise Strachan, Andrew Cassidy.
Julie Scott, Morrison’s Community Champion organised the event and said, “I
always enjoy my community work with Morrison’s,
and being able to support local charities and local
businesses is a fantastic feeling.”
Louise Strachan, Community Fundraiser at St
Vincent’s said, ‘Julie and all the team at Morrisons
Johnstone are great supporters of St Vincent’s
Hospice, and teaming up with Be Gorgeous resulted
in a fantastic event and wonderful fundraising
result. Support like this from the community makes
a huge impact on the lives of local patients living
with life-limiting illnesses. I’d love to hear from
anyone who would like to arrange a similar event
for St Vincent’s Hospice – give me a call!”
Dinner & Dance
Langbank Parish Church are holding an evening of Scottish Songs, on Friday
5th February at 7pm in the Church. This evening will showcase Scottish music,
and will include guest performers and audience singalong. A supper of both
sweet and savoury scones, and other Scottish treats will be served after the
concert.
Tickets, which includes your delicious supper, cost £5 adult £2 children, and
are available from Church members.
Every Saturday night from 8pm - 11pm at Willow Bank
Hotel, 96 Greenock Road, Largs. Booking essential.
Call 01475 675435 for further information.

12 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Thank you for making 2015 another successful year at
LEAP. We’re delighted and proud to have helped our
community throughout the year, with our Free Energy
Saving Advice, LEAP Car Club, Bike Swaps, Big Energy
Saving Week, E-bike hire, LEAP YEP! Workshops
and Summer Space programmes for young people,
Meddle and Make workshops, External Wall Insulation,
Make It Happen energy measures and installations, and
representing local rural needs through our work with Tackling
Poverty in Renfrewshire and Energy Action Scotland. Thank you all for your
support and to celebrate we’ve prepared a few of the highlights of 2015 in our
Time-Line:
Winter 2015
Spring 2015
January 2015 – LEAP launched it
keep warm this winter programme
with it thermal images service, helping
residents identify where their homes
were losing heat and providing advice
on a range of home energy measures
that would assist them.
February 15 – LEAP Futures Eco Film
Clip competition for young people is
announced and the winners share
their experience with other junior
climate challenge projects across
Scotland.
Summer 2015
June 15 – Bike Swap in Lochwinnoch
gets residents swapping and recycling
children and adult bikes and LEAP
E-bikers get off to a good start
combining a cycle and train journey
to get to work.
July 15 – YEP Summer programme
begins with Young People with choices
of workshops including Bike and
Trailer Building, Animation, Clothing
Re-design and Print and Tie-dying.
August 15 – LEAP Energy Advisor
and local Bridge of Weir resident
appear on the front cover of Energy
Saving Scotland’s Energy Review to
tell their story of the how the LEAP
‘make it happen’ service has helped
vulnerable and often elderly residents
combat rising fuel bills, by practical
home energy improvement actions in
their homes.
Winter 2015
December 15 – energy advisors
prevent draughts in homes for
vulnerable householders by installing
loft insulation, and draught proofing
measures in homes. ‘Make it Happen’
home energy measures continue
to help those in need to make their
homes cosier and warmer for winter.
March 15 – LEAP secured new
funding from the Climate Challenge
fund to launch the Calder and Gryffe
community project and engage the
new villages and residents from
Kilbarchan, Houston, Crosslee and
Brookfield in home energy, transport
and fuel efficiency services.
April 15 – LEAP’s Youth Engagement
Project, YEP! receives Climate
Challenge funding to provide a
series of hands-on green vocational
workshops for young people to learn
more about their environment and
gain practical skills they can use to
reduce their carbon emissions.
May 15 – LEAP Car Club launches
the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid car in
Kilbarchan and re-launches the
Eat Lochwinnoch Organic Fruit and
Vegetable Delivery Club.
Autumn 2015
September 15 – LEAP Meddle and
Make workshops for adults had local
people designing and screen printing
bags, recycling and re-fashioning
clothes, tie dying with onions,
cabbage and wood, to create some
of the most impressive and artistic
individual creations ever made in one
day.
October 15 – LEAP ‘s Big Energy
Saving Week was sponsored by Home
Energy Scotland and featured LEAP’s
Green Homes Tours where local
people got the opportunity to find out
first-hand about other villagers home
energy efficiency measures and
renewables.
November 15 – LEAP Energy saving
and car club films are launched at
the Energy Savings Trust’s national
conference in Peebles.
Do you want the skills
to help save a life?
BHF February 2016 FREE - Lead by Lochwinnoch and Howwood
Heart Start. We have more dates available for the FREE two
hour course.
Wednesday 17th February from 7-9pm at
the Bowfield Hotel, Howwood.
If you are interested in attending contact Morag on morag.Thow@gcu.ac.uk or
01505 843183.
The course is practical and deals with;
• An unconscious casualty • Cardiac arrest • How to use a AED
• Suspected heart attack • Choking • Serious bleeding
Dr Morag Thow

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Dental Blog
13 13
by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner,
Kilbarchan Dental Practice
Are you nervous about going
to the dentist?
It is not at all uncommon to be nervous about a visit to the dentist – particularly
if it has been some time since your last check up or you think treatment is
required.
In extreme cases this can even prevent some people getting the treatment
they need as they avoid seeing a dentist at all. To help nervous patients
overcome their fears dentists have developed sedation techniques to help ease
apprehension and make the experience entirely pain free using a combination
of drugs that take away anxiety (anxiolytic) and take away pain (analgesic).
Some even cause you to forget about the treatment you have just had!
Intravenous conscious sedation delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream
for an immediate and controllable effect. The patient will become drowsy,
relaxed and unaware of any treatment whilst remaining conscious and able
to communicate.
Don’t worry if you are afraid of needles as oral sedation (in liquid form) is
one of the most popular methods now offered as an alternative to Inhalation
sedation (gas and air) which is rare in general practice these days.
In order to help you sleep the night before any treatment you may also be
prescribed an oral sedative (in pill form) to take at home.
Modern practices like ours offer both oral and intravenous sedation. Prior to
any type of sedation we take a full health history and go over the procedure
with you in full. You are closely monitored during and after the procedure.
If you would like to find out more about
sedation and anxiety services offered
by dentists don’t hesitate to visit us
at the practice, call us on 01505
704969 or check out our website at
kilbarchandental.co.uk

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February events
Sun 31 January
Come And Sing Mozart
Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley
6.30pm
Rehearsal: 2.30pm Performance: 6.30pm (entry
from 2pm) Singers: Adult £15, Students/school
pupils £5 Audience: £5 at the door. Information for
singers on how to apply, pay and hire scores etc.
Can be had at 0141 848 1392 or from proutley@
talktalk.net
Wed 3 February
St Fillan’s Angel Voices
Greenock Town Hall, Cathcart Square,
Greenock PA15 1LS 6.30pm
St Fillan’s Angel Voices Community Children’s
Choir will be singing at the Inverclyde Music
Festival. The Choir will be in the Mixed Choir
Section as the children of Angel Voices attend
five different schools in the area.
Thu 4 February
Wedding Open Evening
Ingliston Country Club, Old Greenock
Road, Bishopton 6pm to 9pm
Free admission with complimentary canapés and
sparkling wine on arrival. Email general@ingliston.
com or tel: 0845 301 1010 for further information.
Main advert on page 9 of this issue.
Fri 5 February
RSPB Local Group
McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive,
Renfrew 7.30pm
There will be an illustrated talk entitled The
Sparrow (and the arrow), the ecology and
conservation of swifts and house sparrows by
Toby Wilson. All Welcome.
Fri 5 February
Kilbarchan Agricultural Show
Whist Drive
Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan
7.30pm
Price £3 including refreshments. Contact
Secretary, Aileen on 07766 221369. Everyone
welcome.
Scones and Songs
Parish Church, Main Road, Langbank
7pm
This evening will showcase Scottish music, and
will include guest performers and audience
singalong. A supper of both sweet and savoury
scones, and other Scottish treats will be served
after the concert. Tickets, which includes your
delicious supper, cost £5 adult £2 children, and
are available from Church members.
Fri 5 - Sun 21 Feb
Art in the Park
Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip
Road, Lochwinnoch 10am to 4pm
The Lochwinnoch Art Group return to Castle
Semple to splash a little colour in the Centre’s
Sempill Rooms. All works are for sale and use local
areas and often natural themes as inspiration! For
info call 01505 842 882 Ex 20
Sat 6 February
Test our Binoculars & Telescope
in the Field!
RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch
2pm to 4pm
Test our telescopes and binoculars under
field conditions! Go for a guided walk with our
knowledgable staff and try out a range of different
optics out on the reserve! Enjoy the scenery and
wildlife, whilst finding out what binoculars or
telescope suits you best. Please book, as places
are limited. Cost: £3 (refunded if you purchase a
pair of binoculars, or a telescope, from the reserve
shop on the day!)
Sat 6 February
LEAP’s Bike Swap
The Annexe, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch
12noon
Dust off your bikes for the approach of spring and
get cycling! If you have no bike to swap, come
along at 1.30pm to see if we have one that suits
you. For more information, please email susie@
myleapproject.org or check out our facebook page
www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website
www.myleapproject.org
Tue 9 February
The Annual Shrove Tuesday
Coffee Morning
St Fillans Church, Kilmacolm
10am to 12pm
Tickets £3 – lovely pancakes, home baking And
various stalls.
Fri 12 February
Advertizer Deadline
The Advertizer Office - Neva Place,
Bridge of Weir
If you want something placed in the March issue
of The Advertizer, please either send an email to
info@advertizer.co.uk or call the office on 01505
613340. Don’t miss out!
Stargazing Evening
Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen
Road near Lochwinnoch 7pm to 9pm
Join the Rangers and staff from Coats Observatory
Paisley for an evening of galactic exploration
in Renfrewshire’s darkest sky. For more in call
01505 842 882 Ex 20
Fri 12 - Tue 16 Feb
Wild Challenge: Be a bird!
RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 10am-4pm
Simply pop into the Visitor centre any time and
the friendly staff will give you a map and get you
started. (Allow approx 1hr for the challenge.)
Then visit different stations along our main trail
to find out what it might be like to be a bird! When
you have finished, come back to the centre to
complete the challenge and tell us all about it!
Cost: £3 (RSPB members £1)
Sat 13 February
Valentine’s Bistro Evening
Bernie’s Cafe Deli, Neva Place, Bridge of
Weir 6.30pm
Stunning 3 course Bistro Menu and a glass of fizz.
£19.95pp BOOK NOW!
Kilbarchan Hill Organ Open Day
West Church, Church Street, Kilbarchan
2.30pm
All organists and everyone interested in the organ
are welcome to attend. This former church is no
longer used for worship. Tom Ferguson, organist
at Kilbarchan West from 1979 till 2015, will talk
about and demonstrate the Hill organ (listed
Grade 1).
Build a bird a home
RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 11am-4pm
Help us celebrate National Nest Box Week and
give birds a home this Spring! Build and decorate
your very own nest box to help provide a pair of
love birds with a home in time for the breeding
season. Who knows, if you put it up in your garden,
you may even see some baby birds in a few months
time... Please book a time slot (1st slot is at 11am
& last is at 3pm). Cost: £10 (RSPB members £6)
per box made.
Sun 14 February
Habbie Tat
Performing Arts Centre, Steeple Square,
Kilbarchan 1pm
Each month, there is a different batch of bric-abrac
and collectables presented and there will be
several new stallholders bringing along items for
sale in February. Doors open at 1pm and all of the
admission money collected (tickets are 50p) go to
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Tue 16 February
6 Legal Must-do’s for older
people
Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston
7pm to 8.15pm
A free 45 minute talk everyone over 50 should
attend! Discussing Wills, Power of Attorney and
Advance Directive. Please call Kingsley Wood &
Company, Solicitors on 01505 874114 to book a
place or for more information.
Thu 18 February
Embroidery and Coiling with Jane
Campbell-Smith
Langbank Village Centre, Middlepenny
Road, Langbank 7.30pm
We would like to invite anyone who is interested
in this subject to come along, enjoy the demo and
have a cup of tea, you will be more than welcome.
We look forward to seeing you.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
15 15
Sat 20 February
Sun 21 February
Fri 19 February
Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow
Agricultural Society Whist Drive
Kilmacolm Community Centre,
Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm
Tickets £3 includes light supper.
A Night With Musicality
Lochwinnoch Parish Church 7pm
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival - Tickets £5 (con £3).
A very talented group of artists who have been
great supporters of our Arts Festival.
Sat 20 February
Call To Yarns!
Paisley Abbey, Abbey close, Paisley
11am to 1pm
Everyone is welcome to our Call to Yarns! – The
Renfrewshire Tapestry project launch Andrew
Crummy will be introducing the project, as well
as leading a workshop. Further details or any
questions – call: 07702 961301
Swan Chat
Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip
Road, Lochwinnoch 2pm to 3pm
There’s more to our swans than eating bread and
chips by the lochshore. 01505 842 882 Ex 20
Wildlife Explorers: Colourful
Nature!
RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch
10am to 12noon
Please wear suitable clothing for being outdoors.
Ages: 5 to 14 years. Please note that all children
aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an
adult. Booking essential. Cost: £5 (£3 RSPB
members)(adults go free)
Sun 21 February
Scotlands Gardens Scheme
Ardgowan Open Garden
Ardgowan Estate, Inverkip 2pm to 5pm
Enjoy woodland walks carpeted with masses of
snowdrops in a lovely setting overlooking the
River Clyde. Admission is £2 and beneficiaries are
Greenock Medical Aid Society and SG charities.
Wetland guided walk
RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 12-2pm
If you have interest in wildlife, or would like to hone
your birdwatching skills, then this is the walk for
you! Stout footwear and clothing suitable. Please
book, as places are limited. Cost: Adults: £5;
Children: £3 (RSPB members: £3/£2)
Wed 24 February
Tartan Walk
Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip
Road, Lochwinnoch 11am
The Renfrewshire Walking Network will again be
out in force donning their tartan for a leisurely
stroll and homage to Scottish folk tunes. Form
more info call 01505 842 882 Ex 20
Evening Talk
RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch
7.30pm to 9pm
A Naturalist’s view of the Canadian Arctic – bears,
birds and other beasts of the Yukon by Prof
Paul Tatner. Please book as places are limited.
Cost: Adults: £5; Children: £3 (RSPB members:
£3/£2)
Sun 28 February
Mother’s Day Gift and Craft Fair
Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green,
Kilbarchan 1pm to 4pm
Stalls to make your Mother’s Day (Sunday 6th
March) special from local artists, beaded and
silver jewellery, pottery, make-up, cushions, cakes,
candles, homebaking, confectionary and much
more. Entry includes Tea and Coffee: Adults £1.50
Children 50pence.
Beginners Spoon Carving
Workshop
The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees Bridge,
Greenock 10am to 3.30pm
A very rewarding skill to master, come away with
a hobby and product at the end of the day! Cost:
£25. Must be 16 or over to take part for more info
call 01475 521 458 booking essential.
Quarriers Ladies Lunch
The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow
12.30pm - 4pm
Get the girls together for a fun day out and raise
much needed funds for Quarriers at the same
time! Great food, shopping, goody bags, guest
speaker and live music from the fantastic Paulo
Martini. It really is an event not to be missed. Call
01505 616054 for tickets (£40 each).
Fri 4 March
World Day of Prayer
St Columba Church Hall. Kilmacolm
1.30pm
The children from St Columba’s Junior School
will be able to join us with their singing and
music. Refreshments after the Service. Everyone
welcome! Call Maureen Russell Convenor
(telephone 872905) for further details.
follow The Advertizer on twitter
and facebook for regular updates
t: @GryffeAds
f: www.facebook.com/GryffeAds

16 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY HINTS & TIPS
ISO
With The Studio
Bridge Of Weir
The ISO – often referred to as film speed, is a measure of how sensitive your
film or chip is. The higher the ISO the less light you need to expose the image.
With a Digital camera you have the ability to vary the ISO from shot to shot
without having to change films. ISO – can range from 100 to 36,000.
As you increase your ISO your images become more grainy as noise is introduced
into the image. Turning up the ISO on a digital camera is similar to turning up
the volume on a sound system amplifier, the higher you go the more distortion
of the signal you get.
Gryffe
Camera Club
Our Last Competition in 2015 was
our league competition judged by
Members.
The winners were Rick Bolton (A
Prints), Malcolm Martin (B Prints),
Rick Bolton
(Mono Prints),
Roger Calvert
(A Digital)
with Callejo
Harbour
Lights and
Malcolm
Martin (B
Digital) with
Crested Tit.
In your camera this shows itself as grainy images and odd colours in the shadow
areas.
At the extreme end the images are almost unusable.
When to change ISO?
If the subject is well lit or you are using a tripod and you are not concerned
about shutter speed then choose the lowest ISO setting possible.
If the subject is dimly lit or you are trying to achieve a faster shutter speed to
capture some action then increase your ISO.
You can leave your camera in AUTO ISO and it will choose the ISO for you, but
you may get noisy pictures when you could have avoided them.
Typically you need to use higher ISO when indoors, at concerts, if you are trying
to capture some atmosphere etc. Also there are some churches and galleries
where flash is not allowed so high ISO becomes essential.
Every Month The STUDIO – Bridge of Weir (07904 419578) will bring you hints and tips to
improve your photography - regardless of what kind of camera you have.
More detail on each tip can be found on the Advertizer web page
http://www.advertizer.co.uk/blog
George Kennedy - Style and Speed
Our first evening in 2016 was our
league competition judged by Angus
Campbell.
The winners were Rick Bolton (A
Prints), Malcolm Martin (B Prints),
Rick Bolton (Mono Prints), George
Kennedy (A Digital) with Style and
Speed and Joe Gillick (B Digital) with
Mum Me.
Joe Gillick - Mum Me
Duncan McEwan Showed us “The
Games”, his photographic skills used
during the Commonwealth Games.
We have various competitions with
other clubs during the coming weeks
through February.
Anyone interested can come along
on Wednesday Club nights. Joining
is now half price for the rest of the
session before the end of May.
Wedding Fayre
Sunday 28 February from 1pm
- 5pm at Paisley Town Hall,
Paisley. Call 0141 258 3380 for
further information. FREE Entry

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
17 17
Paisley Colour Photographic Club
Borbasket Trophy 2015/16
Last month at the McMaster Centre in Renfrew, Paisley Colour Photographic
Club’s annual competition for the Borbasket Memorial Trophy was held.
For this competition entry consisted of three images judged as a set with the
first image in each set either a table-top, a portrait or a still life photograph.
Judging the competition were the last year’s winner of the trophy, Duncan
McEwan and the winner of last season’s Henderson Trophy, Richard Bennett
and they had the difficult task of having to rank the top three sets in a high
quality and varied entry.
In turn the judges gave a detailed critique of each image making encouraging
comments and also making suggestions as to how an image could be improved
either at the time of taking the image or at the processing stage.
This year the award for the top set of
images by a non-advanced member
was made to Ken Dow for his set
including close-up butterfly image
“Meadow Brown”.
For the main trophy, Duncan and
Richard judged Mike Cruise’s set of
images in third place. This set included
“The Look”, “Boys and Their Toys” and
“Morning Mist”.
Bill McCance’s set of three beautiful studio portraits was awarded second
place and this set included images “Reverie”, “Coy” and “Solo”.
Langbank Camera Club
The Borbasket Trophy for this year was awarded to a new member of the club
Ken McArthur for his impressive set including “After Crita”, “Hands Touchin’
Hands” and the atmospheric and superbly composed image “Motorway”.
For further details about PCPC and updated members galleries please view:
www.paisleycolour.co.uk
January’s print competition was
“Waterscapes”. There were many
entries of excellent and beautiful
waterscapes.
First place was awarded to Alf Todd
for his early morning shot of the
Zambezi River, above the Victoria
Falls. Second place was awarded
to Derrick McPherson for his image
taken at the lagoon in Venice, looking
towards the Church of San Giorgio
Maggiore. Third place was awarded
to Deborah Galloway for her striking
image of Rathmullan Beach, County
Donegal.
This month’s lecture focused on the
use of the camera’s aperture setting
to demonstrate the difference and
impact it can have on a photograph.
The term used to describe this effect is called depth of field (DoF) which
describes the degree of sharpness (focus) of the foreground and background
in relation to main subject when it is in focus. Confused? Then come along to
our meetings to find out more and potentially realise that inner photographer
waiting to get out and about.
Our PDI (digital meetings) which are held on the fourth Monday of the month
(last meeting will be held in April) provides a different forum for our members
where we showcase images on the big screen. We also provide many hints and
tips on photo editing and things associated with digital photography.
The February meeting will be held as usual on the second Monday of the month,
8th February at 7.30pm. The next PDI meeting will be held on 22nd February at
7.30pm. The print competition topic for February is “Glasgow”.
Club meetings are held in Langbank Church Halls, Langbank. Visitors are
always welcome at any of our evenings.
Membership of the club is only £10 for the first year. If you wish to find out more
about Langbank Camera Club please visit our website: www.langbankcameraclub.
weebly.com or contact Derrick McPherson at langbankcc1@gmail.com with your
enquiries.

18 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
9 to 5 The Musical
The Lyric Club presents 9 to
5 The Musical in The King’s
Theatre, Glasgow from
Tues 8th March to Sat 12th
March. The musical is based
on the 1980 film starring
Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and
Dolly Parton. The book is by
Patricia Resnick who wrote
the film screenplay and
music and lyrics are by Dolly
Parton. This is a story of 3
girls in a 70s office and how
they plan to get the better
of their sexist boss. It’s
fun, got some fab music,
is a real feel good musical
and is a little bit naughty in
places!
Maureen Todd from
Kilmacolm is delighted to
be playing Violet Newstead,
the Lily Tomlin role, in
this production and will
be running a bus from Kilmacolm/Bridge of Weir to the Thursday evening
performance (10th March) and the cost is £23 for the ticket and the bus. Times
and prices for other performances are above.
We will be supporting MND Scotland as our nominated charity this year and
they will benefit from each performance. So, if you fancy a fun, laughter filled
girls or work night out or just a night out with your other half, please get in touch.
Although the show is in March, tickets are selling fast already and the bus is
filling up so let Maureen know if you’d like to come along to any performance
on 07789 077749 or 872094.
Winter Concert Series
Houston Old School Trust (HOST) is holding a series of classical music concerts
in the Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston this coming winter (2016/17).
As a preview to this we are holding a concert on Saturday 19th March with a
performance by the Barochan Quartet. This is a string quartet of local talent, all
professional musicians, and members of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Ticket prices are £12 with concessions for children and students £5. Option
is also available to have a 2/3 course meal (table service) before the concert
in our cafe. Two courses + coffee £15. Third course available at extra cost
(bring your own booze). We are also looking to enlist support from a working
committee to help organise/promote suture concerts.
To request tickets or register your interest in helping out, please call the Carrick
Centre on 01505 229597 or email thecarrickcentre@gmail.com
LEAP - Children’s Shoe
Collection
Are your children growing fast and leaving half worn shoes behind them? Fed
up of sending perfectly good shoes to landfill?
LEAP, along with several local primary schools and nurseries, will be organising
a collection of children’s footwear (including sports shoes) from 22nd-26th
February. Some schools will be holding a shoe swap or sale event at the end
of the collection week - look out for flyers in your child’s school bag for more
details. Surplus sports shoes will be donated to Linwood’s Kit & Caboodle,
while other shoes will be passed on to the children’s shoe charity Sal’s Shoes,
who will re-home them where they are needed most.
For more information about your nearest collection point, or if you would like to
get involved, please email susie@myleapproject.org or check out our facebook
page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject.org
Wedding Band Showcase
Thursday 4 February from 6.30pm - 10.30pm at The Glynhill Hotel &
Leisure Club, Renfrew - This is a free event
Looking for the perfect evening entertainment for your wedding? Join us for a
relaxed evening listening to five fantastic wedding bands all performing live,
along with other great wedding suppliers. Call 0141 258 3380.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Reliable Service Meets
Reliable Flooring
Getting your floor refitted can be a stressful time, especially if you are not in the
right hands, be it for your home or place of business.
Whether your old floor is water damaged, fitted badly or simply needing a
breath of fresh air, we understand that the process should be as smooth as
possible for you. That is why Orchard Flooring’s professional fitting services
have been recommended by
customers for busy homes
and businesses in the Gryffe
area for many years.
When it comes to Karndean
and Amtico, laying the sub
floor correctly is crucial
to ensuring a successful
refit and here at Orchard
Flooring we always say that
preparation is paramount.
Orchard Flooring
have over 15
years’ experience
in fitting
Karndean and
offer a reliable
and efficient
service. We make
sure that the very
best materials
are used and that
the relevant time
and expertise are
applied to your
floor.
We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and clear communications. We
want to walk out that door knowing that, not only do you have a floor that looks
and feels spectacular, but that will continue to do so for many years to come. With
a home sampling service, why not give us a call and be on your way to a stunning
floor from Orchard Flooring? You can contact Scott on 01505 229584 or 07563
633432 E: sjmproducts@hotmail.com web- www.orchard-flooring.com
19 19
Fairtrade Fortnight 2016 will be here
soon, from 29 February - 13 March.
This year’s theme is Sit down for
breakfast, stand up for farmers! As
Martin Luther King said, ‘before you
finish eating breakfast in the morning,
you’ve depended on more than half
the world’. This recognises the variety
of farmers in many countries who
provide the foods that we consume
for our breakfasts; tea, coffee, cereals, fruits and so on.
So, during Fairtrade fortnight, local Fairtrade groups are encouraging everybody to have a Fairtrade
breakfast, choose Fairtrade products and think about the support this gives to farmers around the
world who need help to improve their lives
and communities. We also remind people
that choosing Fairtrade products all year
round is the way to help in the long term.
The Fairtrade principle is simple: when
people are paid a fairer price for their
goods they can have more control over
their lives. Whether it’s the extra cash in
their pockets, being able to expand their
farms to grow more food to eat, or to invest
in community facilities like health and
education, it gives them help to a better
life.
The week or so before Fairtrade fortnight,
two rice farmers from Myanmar (formerly
Burma) are visiting Renfrewshire. They are
part of the first ever Fairtrade food export
operation from that newly democratised
country.
There will be a range of visits to schools
and public venues soon to be announced.
A chance to find out how your Fair Trade
choices help in very poor countries.
Fairtrade Renfrewshire needs help! There
are Fairtrade campaign groups active in
Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir, Lochwinnoch,
Houston, Bishopton. They all need some
extra support from committed Fairtrade
people to keep the Renfrewshire Fairtrade
movement going.
Anyone interested should contact their
local group (you can get contact details
from the Rainbow Turtle office or shop in
Paisley (0141 887 1881). Rainbow Turtle
also needs volunteers to help in its shop
and warehouse so, to anyone with a bit
of time to help we say, get in touch, get
involved.
We can finish by saying that Renfrewshire
Council gives welcome support to the Fair
Trade local groups.

20 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
How You Gonna Live Your Dash
the
This shattering piece explores the life-altering decisions we
make in order to get the most out of our time on earth: giving
up a high-flying career, confronting an addiction, dropping it
all and moving to a new continent.
Wednesday 3 February - 7.30pm - £8 to £10
Guide Gods
Using dance, live music, humour and interviews with
religious leaders, academics and deaf and disabled people,
acclaimed performer Claire Cunningham goes on a perilous
quest to explore how the major world faiths view deafness
and disability in this witty and illuminating new show.
Thursday 4 February - 2.30pm & 7.30pm - £8 to £10
Mum’s the Word 2
One of the Scotland’s favourites “Mum’s The Word” laughs at
the wonderful comedic horrors of child and teenager-rearing
in this new and updated version of the hit show. Both funny
and emotional by turn, this is a wonderful evening out.
Friday 12 - Sat 13 February - 7.30pm Fri; 2.30pm & 7.30pm Sat - £18.50 to £20.00
The Nutcracker
An essential part of wintertime, a wonderful escape for
children and ballet lovers of all ages into magical world of
snow, sweets and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Sunday 14 February - 7.30pm - £12 to £16
Francie & Josie
A fantastic evening of Scottish entertainment, with special
guests and a tribute to the Kings of Scottish Comedy –
‘Francie & Josie’.
A show for the whole family, featuring original routines and
songs, this trip down memory lane will have you laughing
out loud.
Thursday 18 February - 2.30pm & 7.30pm - £14.50 to £16.50
SCOCHA
Scocha are undoubtedly one of the most entertaining live
acts on the music circuit. The band’s unique blend of largely
recognisable Scottish “folk ‘n roll” coupled with audience
banter ensure a SCOCHA gig is never a dull affair.
Saturday 20 February - 7.15pm - £15
every Monday
Lochwinnoch Community Walk
The Cross, Lochwinnoch 10.30am
This event will not take place on public
holidays.
every Tuesday
Bishopton Belles Line Dancing
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hall 6.30 - 8.30pm
Beginner/Improver class. All welcome. Call David
or Mair 07886 034037.
every Wednesday
Knitting Group
Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon
Knitters of all levels welcome!
Skinny Minnies
Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir 7pm-8pm
For a healthier, slimmer, more energetic you!
every Thursday
Weekly Volunteer Group
Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Conservation Volunteers - adult group.
Newcomers always welcome.
every Saturday
Weekly Volunteer Group
Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm
Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers
always welcome.
every Sunday
Weekly Volunteer Group
Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon
Youth volunteer Group - age 12 - 18 years.
Newcomers always welcome.
1st & 3rd Thurs monthly
‘Outlook’
Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm 2pm-4pm
Social activities group for the community in
Kilmacolm. Guest speakers, afternoon tea, local
issues of interest. Everyone welcome.
Crafty Hobbies
Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 7.30pm
No previous craft experience necessary. Call
Lorna on 01505 612844 for further details.
2nd Wednesday monthly
Inverclyde Carers Outreach
Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 11am-2pm
Email enquiries@inverclydecarerscentre.org.uk
or call: 01475 735180.
2nd Thursday monthly
Solas Bereavement Support Group
The group meets in the Kidston Hall. 6.30pm
to 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.
3rd Friday monthly
Hearing Aid Clinic
The Bridge, Bridge of Weir 1-2pm
Personnel are at The Bridge for the issue of
hearing aid batteries and hearing aid checks.
2nd Saturday monthly
‘Brunch & Browse’
St Fillan’s Hall, Kilmacolm 10am-2pm
Home made soups, home baking, tea, coffee,
books & lots of stalls. Great value! Disabled
access. £4.
last Saturday monthly
Table Top Sale
Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Ave 11am-
1pm
This is a free event. Call 01505 328802 for
details.
1st Sunday monthly
Messy Church
Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir 4pm-6pm
Free entry for all ages. Meal included. Just turn
up. Tel: Catherine 07980 649377.
1st Saturday
Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm
10am-2pm (“The Square”)
1st & 3rd Sunday
Loch Lomond Shores
10am-3pm Tel: 07977 179 861
2nd Thur & last Sat
Paisley Cross
10am-2pm Tel: 01655 770217
3rd Saturday
Erskine Garden Centre
10am - 2pm Tel: 0141 814 4626
A Night of Musicals - Kieran Begley & Friends
Come along and support Kieran in his fundraising event,
an exciting evening shared with special guests, children’s
choir, his friends from Greenock Light Opera Club, Sideline
Productions and Ayrshire Opera Experience.
Sunday 21 February - 7.30pm - £8 to £10
30:60:80
A celebration of three lives, spanning fifty years with the
women of one family and inviting audiences to consider the
richness in their own maternal her story.
When Amy’s grandma turned 30, she had three children
and was thankful to finally live in a house with an indoor
toilet. When Amy’s mum turned 30, she had a profession, a mortgage and was
pregnant with her first child.
Friday 26 February - 7.30pm - £8 to £10
BEACON ARTS CENTRE, CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY, GREENOCK, PA15 1HJ
INFO@BEACONARTSCENTRE.CO.UK TELEPHONE: 01475 723723
A Night With Musicality
(Glasgow Theatre Guild)
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival early event 2016 Friday 19th February in the Parish
Church doors open 7pm Tickets £5 (con £3).
A number of the village went to
see the Glasgow Theatre Guilds
excellent production of Sweet
Charity in Eastwood theatre
in 2015. Their cast will be
performing a selection of songs
from film and theatre for us
again. A very talented group of artists who have been great supporters of our
Arts Festival.
Tickets £5 (con £3) in Now and then, Cucina Minucci at the Junction café and
Calder Gallery and framing. DON’T MISS IT!!

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Jillian’s Cambodia Update
I have been in Cambodia for 5 months
now and every day I live here I am
amazed by the country in a different
way…be it beauty, culture or the crazy
driving!
We have had the most amazing festive
season here. We started December
with a bang and ran the Angkor Wat
International Half Marathon race. We
underestimated how big an event this
was as in our race there were over
1000 people! (Our race was one of 6).
Although it was nearing 30 degrees by
the end of the run, the experience was
one of a kind. Being able to run through
the temples was breath-taking and
distracted us from the aching legs and
struggle for breath.
We celebrated Christmas by holding a
massive party for the children from the
village and at our project adding to a
total tally of 500 kids throughout the
day. The party was a huge success and
included tug of war, musical statues, a
talent competition and gift giving with
a show of Santa at the end wishing
everyone a Merry Christmas. I’ve never
seen smiles so wide! With a 7.30am
start and an 8pm finish the day flew by
and was one that I’ll never forget.
There is never a boring day at the
project and we welcome the New Year
and all the adventures it has to bring.
So far we have attended two weddings
and a festival celebrating the one year anniversary of a death. We have really
settled here in Cambodia and made our self a home and many new friends.
Best wishes for the New Year to everyone at home. Jillian
Gryffe Valley Rotary -
Burns Beats Blizzards!
Despite blizzard conditions throughout the
day, some 160 hardy souls battled through
the snow to attend the annual Gryffe Valley
Rotary Burns Supper at the River Inn.
Unfortunately, amongst those unable to get
there was renowned Burns speaker Jack
Glennie who was scheduled to deliver the
Immortal Memory. Incredibly, and with only
3 hours notice, the Rev Donald Campbell of
Houston’s Killellan Kirk agreed to step in to
fill the breach – barely time to get changed!
No sooner had Rotarian
Ronald Aitchison
given a large haggis a
typically robust working
over as he addressed
anecdotes on
it, than Donald was up
Scots society with
on his feet to deliver
informed insights
an array of amusing
into the life and
works of Robert
Burns – a truly
first class example
of the Immortal
Memory genre.
Luckily there is
no truth in the rumour that Rotarian Adam
McCartney will reciprocate by delivering a
sermon at the Kirk!
Many people think that Jim Ferguson is
Tam O’Shanter, and once again he held the
audience in the palm of his hand with his
rendition of Burns’ epic poem. Not only that,
but he went on later to lead the gathering
in rumbustuous community choruses of some well known Burns’ songs. This
supplemented the rather more sophisticated and tuneful solos over the evening
from Jan Cranston, accompanied by Helen Mills.
The Toast To and the Response From the Lassies are always highlights of a
Burns Supper, and Gryffe Valley Rotary was fortunate to have Graham Hill
and Helen McLaughlan to perform these roles. Graham, who braved the
snow although just back from Australia, used some hilarious tales from the
school playground to illustrate some of Burns’ references to ladies and their
relationships. His closing section on the kilt was delivered in humorous verse.
Helen, the first lady President of the Paisley Callants Rotary club, gave as good
as she got with some scurrilous tales to back up her premise that Burns would
have said that “it is good to laugh”. Her closing section was also in verse, this
time on a somewhat windy topic!
Past President Alan Bowie, appropriately garbed in the kilt, rounded off the
evening by thanking all those who had contributed to a great event. There was
of course an ulterior motive for it all - beyond that of having a really good time!
The Burns Supper is an important fundraiser for Gryffe Valley in support of its
local good causes, especially this year’s major project to help develop a toy and
therapeutic resource lending library based at Corseford School – this will be
accessed by all children who attend specialist schools in the area, giving the
opportunity of making a significant difference to their wellbeing, experience,
play and development.
With generous prizes from many, including corporate members the Malcolm
Group and from Jason Andrews for the River Inn and the Fox and Hounds, the
charity raffle helped boost the contribution from the event towards £3000 – a
great testament to the hard work of President David Fairbairn, and convenor
Angus Matheson with his team of organisers.
21 21

22 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue is situated near Beith in
North Ayrshire. It occupies a 20 acre site, including
woodland, marsh and open water. This gives a variety
of release sites for our patients. We aim to rescue,
treat, rehabilitate and release birds and animals back
to the wild, and we have the facilities and experience
to treat all species of Scottish wildlife.
Resources at the Centre include an intensive care unit,
a swan/seal hospital with indoor pool, a hedgehog
unit, a surgery and more than 60 outdoor aviaries,
enclosures and release pens. The centre has a 24hr
emergency service, and is available to give advice on
wildlife problems throughout the day.
Why not join us?!
Support Hessilhead by becoming a member and get 2
newsletters a year. Ordinary membership: £12 a year.
Family membership: £16 a year.
Sponsor A Patient
Hessilhead is an independent charity. Funds are
raised through the Membership and Sponsor-a-Patient
schemes and through fundraising events.
Sponsoring a patient is a good way to help an individual
casualty. Receive a photo and reports on the patient’s
progress. Sponsorship packages can also be sent with
a card as a present for Christmas, Birthdays etc. Trust
newsletters included. Cost: £25
What can I sponsor?
Choose from the following, which sadly, are all too
common patients at the Trust:- Kestrel; Swan; Otter;
Rabbit; Deer; Badger; Duckling; Fox; Owl; Hedgehog;
Buzzard; Seal. Please give a second choice of
casualty, and remember that some, such as ducklings,
are in care only at certain seasons. You are welcome
to email us at info@hessilhead.org.uk first to check the
availability of your preferred species.
How do I pay?
You can make a payment to sponsor a patient - see
our website for details. We have offered as many
choices as possible, and have listed the pros and cons
for us associated with each method. Please read our
important notes beside each option. If you have any
questions about any of the below please email us at
info@hessilhead.org.uk.
Visit our website for further information on how to help
us - http://www.hessilhead.org.uk/
Newspapers
Wanted
With so many hedgehogs in
care, and other patients, our
newspaper stock is running low.
We’d be grateful if you could start
saving them up and drop them off
at the centre.
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue has
facilities and experience to treat
all species of Scottish wildlife.
Facilities at the Centre include
an intensive care unit, a swan/
seal hospital with indoor pool, a
hedgehog unit, a surgery with
x-ray equipment and more than
60 outdoor aviaries, enclosures
and release pens.
Contact us on 01505 502415 or
Email: info@hessilhead.org.uk
Website: www.hessilhead.org.uk
Pet Blog
by PetVets
Let’s Talk About Eyes….
Vision is very important to our pets and each species sees the world in
a slightly different way.
Dogs are very good at seeing moving
objects but may struggle more with
small, inanimate objects at a distance.
This is why your dog can easily catch a
flying Frisbee or ball but may struggle
to find the toy once it has landed,
despite it being obvious to you! They also see
fewer colours than we do.
Cats can see very well in low light conditions, with good vision in just
an eighth of the light that a human would need. This is due to their
vertical pupils allowing them to stretch their pupil wide to let in as
much light as possible and a reflective layer at the back of the eye that
bounces light back through the eye. This reflective layer is the reason
your cats eyes glow in the dark.
Rabbits have a larger field of vision than humans, cats or dogs. With just
a slight turn of their head rabbits can see 360 degrees! They are good at
seeing moving objects even in the far distance. This allows them to spot
predators approaching. However their near site is not as good and they
have a blind spot directly in front of their face, so can find it difficult to locate
treats which are literally right under their nose!
To protect their vision it is important to check your pet’s eyes regularly
and if you spot any changes such as
redness, excessive tears, discharge
or signs of pain take them for a check
with your vet.
Common eye problems include:
• Conjunctivitis
• Entropian
• Eyelash disorders
• Cherry eye
• Dry eye
• Corneal ulcers
• Glaucoma
All these condition are treatable
especially if diagnosed early, so if you
have any concerns contact your vet.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
23 23
23
Re-homing Pets
Can you offer a home to any of our featured pets?
Goldie - 2 year old female
short hair tortoiseshell
Goldie would need access
to a garden. She would be
best suited to a home with
no or older kids and no
other cats. It is unknown
whether she would like to live with dogs. She
has been waiting
a long time here at
the centre for that special someone, is that you?
Tommy - 3 year old male short hair domestic cat
Tommy (Tom for short), arrived at the centre as his
owner became ill and could no longer look after him.
He is a wee shy guy at the centre and needs time to
settle into a new home. He is an indoor cat only and
can be homed with other cats and dogs, but older
children as he is timid.
Cardyke Farm, Langmuirhead Road, Auchinloch,
Glasgow G66 5LD - Telephone 0141 779 3341
Randall - Male
Rabbit - age
unknown
Randall is a lovely wee chap that came here
through no fault of his own as a stray and
is now looking for his forever home. This
handsome man is very bright and is litter
trained. He would be suited to a home with
someone with previous rabbit experience
as he can be slightly territorial over his
enclosure. When he is out and about exploring he is a very sweet boy who
loves his cuddles. He loves nothing more than running about like crazy and
tucking into some fruit and veg.
Oscar - Male Rat - Age unknown
Oscar is a handsome male rat who came
into our care as his owner could no longer
look after him. He is a bit nervous around
people but is starting to come around and
become more curious with us. He is slightly
overweight and is looking for a home where
he can run around and explore, with lots of
tunnels and toys to keep him active. Oscar will make a great companion for
someone who can give him the love and affection he deserves.
To contact the centre about any animals, please call 03000 999 999 or visit
www.scottishspca.org/rehoming
Buster - 11 year old male
crossbreed
Buster still loves to go
for walks and runs in the
car! His favourite treat is
a dentastick! Buster can live with children
who are 16 years old or over and needs his
own secure garden to have a potter about
in. Buster needs a calm, quiet home with
few visitors to retire too. Someone who has
owned rescue dogs previously would benefit
him and help him settle. He needs a home who are around for most of the day
and who are willing to give him the time and space he needs to come out of his
shell. Buster must be kept on lead when out on walks.
Molly - 2-5 year old female Terrier
Molly loves to run around playing games
with her ball and soft toys. Molly can
live with children who are 16 years old or
over and needs to be the only dog in the
home. She needs her own secure garden
to practice her training in. Molly is not a lap
dog and needs a home who has previous
experience of owning terrier types to give
her the time and space she needs to come
out of her shell. A home with calm, quiet
areas for walking would also benefit her.
Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, 315 Hamilton Road, Uddingston, Glasgow, G71
7SL. Open: 12noon - 4pm (inc weekends); 12noon- 7.30pm on Tuesdays; closed:
Wednesdays
LOST
PETS
If your pet has gone
missing and you
would like to place
a notice in The
Advertizer, please
call 01505 613340
or email info@
advertizer.co.uk.
We can also
put updates on
our website &
Facebook.
This is no charge for
this service!
Lost Cat
£200 reward
£200 reward for information
leading to the recovery of
Carmela an 11 year old Burmese
cat missing since 27th October
from Churchill Road Kilmacolm.
She is a small, friendly brown
cat and much loved companion
for her owner.
Anyone with any information,
PLEASE phone 01505 874806
Rescue Centres
Johnstone
Cat Rescue
If you can help
us with any
f u n d r a i s i n g
or donations
of either food
or bedding,
please call Sheena on 01505
337321.
Thank you in anticipation.
Dogs Trust Glasgow: 0141-773-5130 - www.dogstrust.org.uk
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue: 01505-502415 - www.hessilhead.org.uk
Johnstone Cat Rescue: 01505 337321
Cat Protection: 0141-779-3341 -www.cats.org.uk/glasgowac/adopt-a-cat
Scottish SPCA: 0141-882-1688 - www.scottishspca.org
These centres are always on the lookout for donations and fundraising.
If you can help, please get in touch with any of the centres above.

24 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
25 25
Financial Blog
with Colin Fyfe of Colcom
Office 365 has featured heavily at work recently.
I feel that people’s
resolve is slowly
weakening to
the prospect of
paying an annual
fee for the use
of the program.
When Microsoft
started selling its
unrivalled office
application suite on a buy as you go basis a couple of years ago uptake
was slow but with the amount of subscription based purchases we
encounter these days it seems that we are getting used to the idea.
I must say that I am quite impressed by the product too, 365 now uses
the Office 16 version of the software, which is very good so far. For
businesses, the professional version charged at £7 a user per month is
very powerful, with cloud sharing at its heart.
For anyone looking for another option,
available free is Libre Office, available at
www.ninite.com. This too is powerful and almost fully compatible with
Microsoft’s offering.
Having made an easy mistake last year to trial Amazon’s Prime
membership, my trial slipped over into the following month which
prompted a phone call from Amazon to ask if I was sure I wanted to
pay for a full year. No, sorry that’s what might have happened if they
were not a highly tuned profit making machine, I was charged the year
the second my eye was off the ball. Anyway, a year passed where I felt
damned if I wasn’t going to get value for my misplaced money so I used
their services, TV offerings, music on my mobile and the free postage
on selected products. I enjoyed using the services so much that this
time I have intentionally allowed my subscription renewal. Another cog
in the machine.
by Carl Melvin,
Affluent Financial Planning Ltd
State support for
Mortgage Interest to
be reduced
The government will pay your mortgage interest costs if you are ill or
unemployed (called Support for Mortgage Interest or SMI). This is a
means tested benefit and is paid after 13 weeks, if you meet the criteria
and this is paid without time limit (with a few exceptions).
However, this will change in April 2016 when new rules come into
force. The initial waiting period will rise from 13 weeks to 39 weeks. So,
you will have to fund your mortgage for almost 10 months before the
Government will step in to help.
Currently SMI payments are non-refundable, but this will change in
April 2018 and the support payments from the Government will become
loans – you will have to pay back the money you receive with interest
when you return to work or sell your home.
So what should you do?
Initially, you should try to build up cash savings to provide the money
you will need to pay your mortgage interest and other bills should you
become ill of lose your job. So, regular saving is a good first step.
Try to secure a line of credit that you can call upon if needed. Having
suitable insurance is essential to cover you against death, illness or
unemployment (not all payment protection insurance plans are poor
value) so that you don’t end up losing your home.
The changes are likely to affect young people with big mortgages most,
as they may have borrowed heavily to get on the property ladder. Don’t
rely on the Government - make sure you have your own safety net.
Call 0871 702 9490 for a FREE financial review or pop into the Affluent office
opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir.
www.affluentfp.co.uk

26 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Diaporama
We started 2016 with sequences from Adrian, Ronnie and Sue. Ronnie
decided to go first with his AVs. He started with ‘Drivin’ Sister’ - an action
packed combination of film and images and put to music by Mott the Hoople.
We then visited the 2008 Glasgow ‘River Festival’ on the river Clyde. ‘Skye
Fall’ was a look at autumn with all its fantastic colours on the Isle of Skye.
For the next two sequences Ronnie had chosen the music then put the
images to compliment the music - ‘Ghost Town’ was a look at a housing
estate in Faifley and ‘GO! - East/West’ contrasted the east and west of the
world. He finished with ‘The Future?’ where he had taken some images with
his phone and it had made the sequences! We decided as a group we liked
to be ‘in control’ and do it ourselves.
Flat mountain - Ronnie
River Festival - Ronnie
Houses at Nanortalik - Adrian/Sue
Statue - Ronnie
Flowers - Tromso Botanic - Adrian /Sue
After the tea break Adrian and Sue showed ‘Erskine Garden’ - a tribute to
WW1 gardeners. This had been improved following comments received
at Scotland’s Audio-visual day. They then did a series of AVs under the
collective title of ‘An Arctic Odyssey’. This began with a short introduction to
the places they had visited in the Arctic. At ‘Tromso’ (Norway) there was a
quick look round the town followed by an in-depth look at the world’s most
northerly botanic garden. We then travelled to Greenland to see ‘Nanortalik’
-a coastal settlement with typical houses, a superb museum and beautiful
scenery. They finished with a bit of fun - ‘G&T’ (Gin & Tonic) with a visit
up close to the ice bergs floating in the harbour and sea (and around the
ship!!). It was a fun evening & a nice way to start the New Year.
This month it is Hugh and Gerry’s night on Monday 8th February, 7.30pm at
the Carrick Centre, Houston. Everyone welcome.
visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter
Ice berg - Greenland -
Adrian/Sue
BIKE SWAP - Saturday 6 February 2016
Dust off your bikes for the approach of spring and
get cycling! Bike the wrong size? Swap it for another.
Unused bike lurking at the back of the garage? Donate
it, so another can use it. No bike to swap? Come along to
see if we have one that suits you.
Bikes can be dropped off at 12 noon on Saturday
6th February at The Annexe, Lochlip Road,
Lochwinnoch, with the Bike Swap starting at
12.30. If you have no bike to swap, come along
at 1.30pm to see if we have one that suits you.
For more information, please email susie@
myleapproject.org or check out our facebook
page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject.
org.
LEAP Year Pledges
At LEAP we’re always looking for feedback from local people and villages
about the actions and changes they are making to reduce their energy use
in their daily lives and therefore their carbon footprint. For some people it’s
about changing 6 of their bulbs to LED, cycling to work 2 days a week rather
than driving, switching off their games consoles instead of leaving them on
stand-by, turning the heat thermostat down one notch, car sharing to get to
a local club in the evening, insulating lofts to save heat escaping, joining a
car club to reduce carbon emissions, growing vegetables, recycling clothes
and furniture, swapping bicycles…. This February to celebrate the LEAP
year, and to help you re-energise those new year’s resolutions which have
maybe slipped away in January we’d like people across our villages to let
LEAP know about YOUR actions All you have to do is simply choose an
action that suits you and tell others about your pledge. To help you decide
what types of action people have already taken and the environmental
impact of this measure, we’ll be dedicating a page on the LEAP website
with this information. We’ll also showcase some of the actions people are
taking as individuals, as families, as groups, as charities, as businesses
and as villages. All we ask is that you make a pledge in February and March
and let LEAP and other people know about it! For more details visit www.
myleapproject.org email lesley@myleapproject.org or call 01505 842 530.
Yep!
LEAP’s Youth Engagement Programme
rounded off 2015 with a visit to the Galgael
boat building project in Govan and the
placing of the all important ‘Whiskey Plank’
in their own boat, in the Yep! Boat Hut at
Lochbarr Services. The usual glass of our
national drink - normally tippled on this
occasion - was of course replaced with mugs
of hot black current juice to help the boat builders to fend off the cold! Boat
building will continue to be part of the workshop programme this year.
Free Workshops for 2016
If you haven’t already joined in at the workshops but want to start now,
YEP! will be running the following free workshops until March: Thursdays
from 4.30pm until 6.30pm - Boat Building at the YEP! Boat Hut, Lochbarr
Services, Lochwinnoch. Fridays from 6pm until 8pm - Recycle or Dye,
Clothing re-design, printing and making workshops at the Lochwinnoch
Annexe.
We’re hoping to re-start some activities in the Community Garden as the
lighter nights creep in, including the completion of the Meet Hut’s grow roof.
To take part just turn up or call Gillian on 07854468512 or email gillian@
myleapproject.org for more details.
Why own a car when you could join a Car Club?
A lot of people don’t notice the true costs of running a car, but when you add
up the cost of tax, MOT, fuel, servicing, repairs, depreciation and parking,
you could be looking at an average of over a hundred pounds a week!
And who wants all the hassle that goes with car ownership? What if you
could walk down the street and climb into a clean, new car that has its own
guaranteed parking space, and drive away? LEAP Car club is giving drivers
and householders the opportunity to work out just how much their car or
cars are costing to drive every year. If you go to LEAP car Club’s website
pages www.myleapproject.org/leap-car-club you can calculate the true cost
of owning and driving your car each year. Joining a car club can reduce the
costs of driving especially if your car is sitting in the driveway or outside you
home unused except for the weekly journeys you make to the supermarket,
to visit friends to take the children to nursery and school. Make the right
choices and save money with community car hire with LEAP Car Club in
Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan and Bridge of Weir.
For more information about car club travel or to become a member of LEAP Car Club,
email mike@myleapproject.org.uk or call 01505 842530.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
27 27

28 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
LOCAL
history
The Barony of Auchinames
For over four hundred years the long-forgotten Barony of Auchinames,
on the west of Kilbarchan village, was the property of the Crawfurds of
Auchinames. Reginald Crawfurd was granted the Barony by Robert the
Bruce in 1320 for his services at the Battle of Bannockburn. It remained in
the possession of the Crawfurds until the middle of the eighteenth century
when Patrick Crawfurd, the 16th baron, sold the estate off in lots. The
Crawfurd’s Castle of Auchinames was demolished, but the remains of their
chapel, dedicated to St. Catherine, and an old knight’s gravestone can still
be seen in the old Parish Churchyard.
St.Catherine’s Chapel was built early in the 15th century by Thomas de
Crawfurd, 3rd Baron of Auchinames. The function of this chapel was the
salvation of his soul and the souls of his predecessors and successors. The
patronage was vested in himself and his heirs. By the Foundation Charter of
Next SOPS Presentation: 6 Legal MUST-DOs for older people
Tuesday 16 February
Carrick Centre, Houston from 7.00-8.15pm
A FREE 45 minute talk everyone over 50 should attend,
discussing Wills, Power of Attorney & Advance Directive.
Landlords Workshops - coming soon!
These workshops are aimed at Landlords to include information/advice on
setting up a residential tenancy; landlords obligations; legislation – costs &
implications; repairs & taxation; management issues and controls.
Also, advertising; management and documentation preparation; tenant
credit referencing; lease preparation; regular property inspections;
Bespoke letting and marketing recommendations for properties.
Contact our office to book your place at our next events!
1401, Crawfurd gave the rental of
some of his lands for maintenance
of a chaplain ministering in the
chapel, which was about to be
built; or ministering to the altar of
the Holy Virgin Mary in the Church
of Kilbarchan. The charter was ratified by King Robert III and St Catherine’s
Chapel was built soon after.
At the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Crawfurds lost the
chapel lands which were given over by charter ‘in feu’ to laymen. Mary
Queen of Scots confirmed this by charter in 1565 and she ‘dispensed
with the statues’. However, some years later, William Crawfurd, 9th Baron
of Auchinames (1547-82), regained the endowments of St Catherine’s
Chapel, and James Chalmers, a zealous Protestant, was the appointed
patron. The chapel was still upstanding in 1696 when Archibald Crawfurd,
9th Baron of Auchinames included ‘the chappell of Saint Katharine, situat
within the church yeard of Killbarquhane’ in the property he wished to leave
to his heirs.
The chapel was shown as a ruin in the 1st ed. OS Map of 1856. The
accompanying O S Name Book states that the walls of the chapel stood
about 4ft high. The walls had been faced with dressed stone, and an iron
railing placed on top, the enclosure being in use as a private burial ground.
The iron railing has since been removed. The lower walls of the chapel still
stand in the churchyard today as an enclosure where subsequent owners
of former Auchinames lands were buried.
An old medieval gravestone of a knight, irreverently used as building
material, can be seen in the
churchyard wall on the left of the
entrance pillars in Church Street.
The gravestone appears to show
the spots of ermine of the Crawfurd
coat-of-arms and is almost certainly
from the burial place of an early
Baron of Auchinames.
Renfrewshire Local History Forum’s next Archaeology Lecture, Waterloo
Uncovered: The Archaeology of Europe’s most Famous Battle takes place
in the Shaw Gallery, Paisley Museum at 7.30.on 11th February. Our speaker
on the night is Tony Pollard, Director, Centre of Battlefield Archaeology,
Glasgow University. Visitors are always welcome at our lecture meetings.
© 2016 Helen Calcluth
Kingsley Wood & Co, Solicitors & Notaries, Burnside Chambers, Kilmacolm PA13 4ET
Tel: 01505 874114 Email: mail@kingsleywood.co.uk Web: www.kingsleywood.co.uk

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
29 29
Winter Road Safety
The weather in Scotland is notoriously unpredictable at the
best of times and none more so than winter. Whether you
are a cyclist, driver or pedestrian, the information below
should give you an understanding and awareness of what
you should be doing to ensure that you are ready for winter.
Consider keeping an emergency kit in your car for severe weather, this
should at least include:
• An ice scraper and de-icer
• A shovel for snow
• A torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes, boots and a blanket
• Some food and a warm drink in a flask
• A first aid kit
• Battery jump leads
• A map or device with offline maps for any unplanned diversions
Driving in bad weather
Be mindful of the road conditions when you drive; bad weather is often
blamed for causing accidents however the real cause is often inappropriate
driving for the conditions that exist.
In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for
stopping on dry roads. Aquaplaning can be a frightening experience; this
is where a wedge of water builds up between the front tyres and the road
surface. If this happens, the safest solution is to remove pressure from the
accelerator, allowing the vehicle to lose speed which will help the tyres
regain their grip.
Ice and snow can increase stopping distanced by up to ten times so keep
well back from the vehicle in front. Anticipate when you will need to be
stopping and be alert to other road users. When the roads are icy, drive
at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very
gently.
Driving in fog drastically reduces visibility so it is important to make your
presence aware to other road users. Use dipped headlights if driving in
light fog and use fog lights if driving in thick fog. Fog lights must only be
used if visibility is less than 100 metres and must be switched off if visibility
improves.
For more visit http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/road-safety/winter-road-safety
Johnstone History Society
Tues 9th February, Masonic Hall, Collier St, Johnstone at 7.30pm
The Speaker is Steven Sutcliffe and his topic is Dugald Semple (1884-
1964) The Hermit of Linwood Moss and the Idea of Life Reform in the
early 20th Century. This should be an interesting talk so we look forward
to a good turnout of members and friends.
Our 2016 session got off to a good start with an interesting talk about
Lismore by Douglas Breingan. This was well attended and again we had
a few new members which is very encouraging .
The Museum is now open again, after the festive break, and the times
are as usual 10.30am till 4pm - Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.We
still have a few Johnstone Calendars left for anyone who still has not
managed to purchase one. These can still be purchased online at
johnstonhistory.org We also have a selection of books and publications
on sale in the Museum.

30 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
bishopton, langbank
& bridge of weir
.....................................................
The Bridge
Spring is awakening. Get ahead - renew your stocks of stationery and prepare
for all the birthdays and celebrations expected in 2016.
ADVERTISING FLYER - delivered with this copy of The Gryffe Advertizer. Please
use our flyer to remind you The Bridge needs your support.
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED - to determine how we can improve our services
within The Bridge we are asking customers to complete a SURVEY over a 6 week
period. A pre-printed sheet will be available from 1st February for completion.
There is no need to provide your name. A box will be provided for all completed
sheets.
POST OFFICE – all types of Insurance, Savings products and
Mortgages are available through the Post Office. Please
ask Donald, Pat or Anne for an information leaflet. Our
unique identification code is provided on all leaflets.
Use of this code allows The Bridge to earn income on all
completed transactions.
STATIONERY–we stock a comprehensive range of stationery items. We are
delighted customers are using The Bridge as a “one stop shop” bringing items
for posting, purchasing the necessary packaging, wrapping on site and posting
all in one go.
GREETING CARDS – we are continually replenishing our stock to cover life’s
events. For those with milestone birthdays the range of cards covers from ages
1 to 10 and 18 to 100. A small stock of Valentine cards are on sale – send
your love in 2016! Easter falls at the end of March this year – send your Easter
Greetings - individual and packs of Easter Cards on sale from mid February.
(Opening Hours: Mon – 9am to 5pm (PO closed 12 noon to 12.30pm); Tues &
Fri – 1pm to 5pm; Wed & Thu – 10am to 2pm; Sat – 9am to 1pm)
RagBag
Recycle
Bin -
Langbank
and the Winner is......
The Winner of the Kid’s painting
competition was Stella Charlecrafte
and the second prize was shared by
Erin and Lucy Daly.
An independent judge, Art Teacher,
Tom Murray (featured in photograph)
was invited to choose the winner and
present the prizes and certificates.
The Bridge (post office) Main Street,
Bridge of Weir will continue to feature
artists and hopefully have more
budding artists entering next year.
Congratulations to the successful
young artists.
BoW Community Council
Bridge of Weir Community Council will be holding its first meeting of 2016
on Tuesday 2nd February at 7pm in the Cargill Hall.
The guest speaker will be Fraser Carlin, Head of Roads at Renfrewshire Council,
who will update members on the current planning proposals affecting the
village as well as outlining the process for the next Local Development Plan. A
list of concerns has been sent to him in advance of the meeting to inform the
debate.
On Saturday 5th December flooding caused the partial closure of the village.
The Community Council will seek assurances that measures are put in place to
prevent this re-occurring.
Works have started at the Primary School to accommodate additional nursery
places, and work has also commenced at Houston Road Park to alleviate the
flooding problem. The Community Council will request information on the full
works programme for both these projects.
A letter has been sent to Renfrewshire
Council with the Community Council’s
concerns over the changes to the recycling
depots with large items of waste having to
be taken to the Underwood Road recycling
depot at Paisley. The Community Council
is also concerned about the stopping of
the weekly food waste pick-up and having
to use of the brown bins for this waste with
a fortnightly pick-up throughout the year.
Community Council meetings are open to
the public.
Bridge of Weir
Lace Group
We meet fortnightly, on Tuesday
mornings, throughout the
winter.
If you are interested please
phone 01505613967. Everyone
is welcome.
The permanent RagBag
Recycle bin sited in
the school car park of
Langbank Primary School
for any of your unwanted
textiles (no duvets or
pillows).
Any money raised from
this will go to Langbank
Playgroup. If anyone has
any items and is unable
to get to the recycle bin
please call Jacqueline on
01475 540728.
Thank you in advance.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
31 31
Memorial - Bridge of Weir and
the First World War
100 years ago this month – February 1916
Malcolm Brodie, 1st Gordon Highlanders
Since the horrors of the Battle of Loos, there had been no further bad news
from the font. But the spring thaw in 1916 was the signal for renewed ferocity,
and unwelcome telegrams being received back home. In the early months of
the war, volunteers were mainly single men. But some married men had a zeal
to serve that was stronger than their family ties. One of those was Malcolm
Brodie, a nurseryman living with his wife Agnes and a family of four. They lived
in Blackhall, next to Windsor Place in the Main Street. He was thirty-one when
he volunteered for the Gordon Highlanders in September 1914, with whom he
had served for a year in 1902.
By March 1915 he was in the trenches with the 3rd Division, which was active
in the Second Battle of Ypres. In October 1915, Malcolm was slightly injured
by a falling trench, but recovered enough to enjoy a week’s home leave in
November. But his luck ran out on 21 February 1916. The Battalion was still
in Ypres, contesting ownership of a mound of earth spoil excavated from the
Ypres-Comines Canal that formed a strategic ridge known as The Bluff. The
Germans had captured it on 14 February 1916 and were subjected to fierce
counter-attacks for the next two weeks until the British regained it on 2 March.
On the 20th and 21st February Malcolm Brodie’s battalion was holding a trench
in the Ravine at Verbrandenmolen at a time when artillery on both sides was
exchanging high explosive shells. The front lines were so close that the risk of
men being hit was equally great from British and German guns. A short entry
in the Battalion war diaries completes Malcolm’s story: 21st February 1916:
Dull. Frost in the morning. Considerable aerial activity. 1 killed by our guns.1
wounded by sniper.
Malcolm was killed by what we now call, ironically,
“friendly fire”. He left a widow and four children
under the age of ten. Agnes kept Malcolm’s
Memorial Plaque, popularly known as the
“Dead Man’s Penny.”
Read more about Malcolm’s life and untimely
death at http://www.bridgeofweirmemorial.
co.uk
Gordon Masterton
Bridge of Weir SWI
Next meeting Thursday 4th February at 7.15pm for 7.30pm at
the British Legion hall. We look forward to an entertaining and
thought provoking evening with Jo James, who is a performance reader and
singer. We are happy to welcome guests, so please come along.
Langbank
SWI
For our
second
meeting
of the year
we will be
having a demonstration
on Embroidery and
Coiling with Jane
Campbell-Smith.
This will take place in
The Village Centre on
Thursday, February 18th
at 7.30pm.
We would like to invite
anyone who is interested
in this subject to come
along, enjoy the demo.
And have a cup of tea,
you will be more than
welcome.
We look forward to
seeing you.

32 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
February can be such a dreary
month weather-wise, but don’t let
yourself feel down - make yourself
feel fabulous in February with
Laura’s Nail & Beauty Lounge.
Treat Your Feet Full Pedicure
- £30
OPI Gel Polish Manicures &
The Lounge Eye Package (this
includes brows shaped and tinted
and lashes tinted) - £35
Aveda Facial - £35
Manicures ~ Pedicures ~ Waxing ~ Tinting ~ Massage Facials ~
LVL Lashes ~ Spray Tanning
Valentine's Day and Mother's Day
will be upon us soon.
A gift voucher is a great solution
to show a loved one you care.
Pop in to the Salon to collect or
simply phone 01505 690090
and we will post direct to you.
37 Main Street
Bridge of Weir
01505-690090
07872-929798
The new build extension to Bridge of Weir Primary school is
almost complete, with work anticipated to be complete at
the end of February. This will enable the Council to offer and
deliver enhanced nursery provision – giving our youngest
children the best possible start.
The exceptionally wet weather caused flooding across the
ward with parts of Bishopton, Langbank and Bridge of Weir
affected. I liaised with Scottish Water and the council to
ensure problems were addressed as quickly as possible.
I know Scottish Water are working with developers at
Dargavel and increasing their inspections to ensure that any
construction activities are not adding to the problem.
For the first time since records began youth unemployment in Renfrewshire has
fallen to below the UK average. It is now under 2%. Many people do not realise
what councils can do to support the local economy – we made supporting
our economy a priority and have invested in businesses and jobs. We are now
seeing the results – but we cannot rest on our laurels and are working hard to
ensure every young person in Renfrewshire who can gets into employment.
As the Convenor of Finance I have spent the past few weeks trying to produce
a budget that balances the books for Renfrewshire. This is well-nigh impossible
without slashing services that I am simply not prepared to do. Our children
deserve a world-class education service, our elderly deserve excellent social
care services and you deserve to walk on decent pavements and drive on
decent roads. However with the Scottish Government passing on double the
cuts to local authorities they themselves are dealing with, and once again
putting Renfrewshire at the bottom of the league table in terms of grant makes
balancing the books whilst protecting people from cuts a real challenge.
E-mail: cllr.michael.holmes@renfrewshire.gov.uk Surgeries: 4th Monday:
Langbank PS (from 6pm) and Bishopton Library (from 6.45pm) and Cargill
Hall, Bridge of Weir 4th Wednesday (from 6.30pm). Tel: 0300 300 1295.
Bridge of Weir Tenants and
Residents Association
The first meeting of the new year was well attended with a number of issues
raised and discussed. Our thanks go to Councillor James MacLaren, Andy
Summers, Amenities Manager with Renfrewshire Council, the Police and
Renfrewshire’s Wardens Service for their attendance.
The Police report showed that there were eleven crimes committed within
the village over the past month of which two have been detected. The crimes
ranged from a common assault, to attempted break-ins at both commercial
and private properties. Vandalism has been the biggest single factor affecting
the figures, with four cases report over the month, two concerning cars.
The Wardens Service have issued eight penalty notes for dog fouling over the
past month and we have been informed that from the 1st April the fine for dog
fouling is increasing from £40 to £80, which if the fine is not paid within 28
days, sees the fine rise further to £100. Hopefully the increase in fines will give
an incentive to those still reluctant to clean up after their pets, to bag it and
bin it in future. Besides from dog fouling, fly tipping is rearing its head again
with four fixed penalty notices given around the village, from Livery Walk to St
Andrews Drive. If you see rubbish getting dumped illegally phone the Wardens
Service.
The continued maintenance of the drainage system at Houston Road Park is
going to be with us for a little longer. The existing field drainage is needing
to be tweaked and upgraded and the Council are endeavouring to have the
works done as quickly as possible, which is no mean feat given the weather
conditions.
Photos and a report have been sent to all three local Councillors and Andy
Summers by TARA, regarding the badly rutted path from the kids play area in
the Glen, and this has been passed on to the relevant department.
The next meeting of Bridge of Weir TARA is on Tuesday 16th February at 7.30pm
in the Pirie Centre, Freeland Church. Why not come along if you have a local
issue, or issues you’d like to discuss.
kilmacolm
& quarriers
.....................................................
Shrove Tuesday Spiritualist
Coffee Morning Church
St Fillan’s Church, Moss Rd, Kilmacolm
on Tuesday 9th February 10am – 12
noon. Tickets £3 – pancakes, home
baking and various stalls.
Angel Voices
Hall to Hire - Kilmacolm
Kilmacolm Community Centre,
Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm.
Help every Tuesday at 7.30pm (doors
open 6.45pm)
St Fillan’s Angel Voices Community Children’s Choir will be
singing at the Inverclyde Music Festival in Greenock Town
Hall on Wednesday 3rd February at 6.30pm. The Choir will
be in the Mixed Choir Section as the children of Angel Voices
attend five different schools in the area.
The Guide Hut on Woodrow Ave is a great venue with easy access near to the
village centre. Newly refurbished main hall, with additional kitchen facilities
and outdoor area. Perfect for children’s parties, weekly classes and one off
special occasions. For further contact Carol on 01505 874428.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
33 33
The replacement and upsizing of culverts in Gowkhouse
Road and Market Place has been estimated at £358k.
Officers have identified where the flooding that affects
Gowkhouse and Gillburn Roads emanates, but I am not sure
when work will begin. Scottish Water are back in the village
after the relief of December but disruption is considerable.
It should be remembered that these works are redoing a
previous unsuccessful job.
I attended seven school nativities, carol services and
concerts. All most enjoyable and a credit to the pupils and
their teachers. 9 Lessons and Carols at St Fillans Episcopal
Church is a most popular evening and for me marks the
start of Christmas. St Columba’s Musical Celebration in a packed Greenock
Town Hall under the Master of Ceremonies Ian McCrorie MBE, well known in
Greenock music circles, gave us a wonderful performance of voice, orchestral,
Jazz and Pipe Band music.
Houston, Glencairn, Finlaystone, West Glen, East Green, Cloak, Dunrod and the
Old Largs Roads are all scheduled for major resurfacing in 16/17. I know many
villagers in these roads will welcome the investment.
As I visit other Renfrewshire villages, I am constantly comparing how
Renfrewshire Council treats its villages with Inverclyde Council’s understanding
of Village life. Report after the Scottish Elections, it is good to take the best
from both Councils.
2016 is the 25th Anniversary of Marcus Humphrey House in Quarriers Village.
I visit its barbeque annually and there is always a short service which the
residents enjoy and the company of the many Masons from the West of Scotland
who attend, though the home is open to all in a resident and day basis.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. I visited Flanders
and the Somme last year with the local Army Cadets of which I am the Honorary
Patron. I was able to visit Beaumont Hamel where the 32nd Division of the HLI
attacked on July 1st 1916 including the 16th Battalion HLI made up exclusively
of Glasgow Boys Brigade members and old boys. Between 1st July and the last
engagement of battle on the 25th November the Battalion of 1650 men lost the
lives of 965 of their Pals plus many injured. It was a very little consolation that
with 38 individual awards it was the most decorate British Battalion of WW1.
I am giving a presentation to Old Boys of the Greenock and District Battalion
of the Boys Brigade of the Battalion’s short history and its last stand at the
Frankfurt German Trench on the 25th November 1916 in the last engagement
of the disastrous and pointless Battle of the Somme.
I can be contacted on david.wilson@inverclyde 01475 741969 and 712727
mobile 07766 992294. My surgeries are 11th Feb 11am-12noon in the Cargill
Centre, Kilmacolm and 15th Feb 5pm-6pm Boglestone Community Centre.
OUTLOOK
We meets in Kidston Hall at 2pm - everyone welcome
to attend the community social afternoon group in
Kilmacolm.
On 4th February we are delighted to welcome Mr Kingsley
Wood who will be speaking to the group on a few of his favourite subjects -
Wills, Power of Attorney, Inheritance tax etc, covering useful information with
his usual flair of light-hearted chat. Plus afternoon tea and community issues.
On 18th February our guest is Eleanor Robertson from Inverclyde Tourism
group, she will tell us of the group’s formation and their welcoming work ‘when
the cruise ships come into the Clyde’. Everyone welcome.
World Day of Prayer
In St. Columba Church Hall, Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm at 1.30pm on
Friday 4th March. Written by the Christian Women of Cuba. Jesus said ‘Receive
children, receive me’.
The local WDP group of representatives from the local Churches warmly invites
you to share worship and fellowship with people around the world who will be
participating in the World Day of Prayer. We are delighted that the children from
St Columba’s Junior School will be able to join us with their singing and music.
There will be refreshments after the Service.
Everyone welcome! Maureen Russell telephone 872905
Kilmacolm Show Schedules
Industrial Section Schedules now available for the Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow
Agricultural Show at the usual outlets or can be downloaded at
www.kilmacolmshow.co.uk
Thankfully, Inverclyde Council, with £1.7 million of funding
from the Scottish Government, is now working on a
programme to tackle many local flood points throughout the
district of which some are in Ward 1 in Kilmacolm, Quarrier’s
Village and Port Glasgow. Where flood defence work has
already started in some parts of Inverclyde it has proved to
be effective in tackling flooding.
The news that Greenock’s Ocean Terminal will attract 59
cruise ships and over 100,000 passengers this year is most
welcome as is the expected £10 million boost to the Scottish
economy. The cruise industry continues to grow in Inverclyde
and Scotland and while many passengers still board buses
heading for Edinburgh, Loch Lomond or the Trossachs many of them decide,
along with most of the crews, to stay locally spending their money here.
In the next few years as part of the City Deal one of the three projects agreed
in Inverclyde is to expand berthing at Ocean Terminal so hopefully we will be
able to increase the numbers of cruise ships that can sail here this further
enhancing our tourist industry.
Recently I was contacted by a Kilmacolm constituent who is concerned that
students from the Port Glasgow Community Campus are not using the safe
traffic crossing on Kilmacolm Road to cross over to the former garage that sells
food but instead some of them appear to think the red markings on the road is
a crossing point. I have been told some cars are having to stop when students
cross the road here. I urge any students attending any of the three schools
on the Port Glasgow campus to cross the road at the appropriate traffic light
crossing and not endanger themselves or motorists and their passengers. I
have alerted the council education services about this.
My next surgeries in February are in Kilmacolm Community Centre on Monday
1st at 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Port Glasgow Community Campus Enterprise Centre
on Monday 15th at 5.30pm to 6.30pm and Kilmacolm Community Centre on
Tuesday 23rd at 6.30pm to 7.30pm. My surgeries will also be advertised on
my surgery posters. Anyone wanting to contact me in between surgeries can
do so by phoning
me through my
office on 01475
712727 or my
mobile number
07747 765 839
or by emailing me
at jim.macleod@
inverclyde.gov.
uk or writing to
me at Inverclyde
C o u n c i l ,
Municipal
Buildings,
Greenock, PA15
1LY.

34 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Coffee Morning
MND (motor neurone disease)
Coffee Morning on Saturday 5th
March from 10am - 12 noon in the
New Community Centre, Kilmacolm
(upstairs). Ticket £3.
kilmacolm
& quarriers
.....................................................
Scottish Water’s contractor arrived back
in Kilmacolm with a vengeance in early
January. The disruption to village life has
been considerable. Let’s hope the works
are successful this time.
We reported previously on the Council’s
budget consultation, which closed on
11 January. The responses from the
consultation will be used to inform
decisions to be taken by elected
members either this month or in early
March. Unfortunately the scale of the
challenge facing us is significantly
greater since the Scottish Government’s announcement in late December that
they are slashing our grant by £6.5m in the next financial year.
At the Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee on 14 January
approval was given for some carriageway improvements in Kilmacolm in the
next financial year. The roads involved are Houston Road, Glencairn Road,
Finlaystone Road, West Glen Road (the Lodge to the boundary), Blacksholm
Road, East Green Road and Knockbuckle Road (from the end of the houses
to Netherwood Road). A further report will be submitted in early March on the
carriageway and footways resurfacing programmes for 2016/17. We will provide
details in our April report. The resurfacing of Port Glasgow Road is still due for
completion this financial year once Scottish Water’s contractor is finished.
An update was also given on the proposed flooding prevention plans for the
Glenmosston Burn in Kilmacolm and Gotter Water in Quarrier’s Village. The
specialist consultancy Aecom has been appointed to design appropriate
schemes and hopefully these designs should be completed within the next few
months. Following agreement with relevant landowners the next stage would
be to put the works out to tender.
Councillor McColgan
My surgeries this month are on Tues 2 Feb, 6pm–7pm in Boglestone Community Centre and
Tues 16 Feb, 6pm–7pm in Clune Park Resource Centre. You can reach me on 01475 712727
(during office hours) and 07881 280016 (anytime) or by emailing me at james.mccolgan@
inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively you can write to me at Inverclyde Council, Municipal Buildings,
Greenock PA15 1LY. You can keep up to date with my work as a Councillor by visiting my
website: http://jamesmccolgan.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @jamesmccolgan.
Councillor McCabe
My surgeries this month are on Tues 9 Feb, 6pm-7pm in St Francis’ Primary School and Tues
23 Feb, 6.30pm–7.30pm in Kilmacolm Community Centre. You can also contact me directly
to discuss any matters that are of concern to you by telephone on 01475 712020 (during
office hours) and 871368 (home) or by
email to Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.
Whist Drive
Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural
Society. Friday 19 February at 7.30pm
in New Community Centre Kilmacolm.
Tickets £3 inc refreshments.
gov.uk. Alternatively you can write to
me at 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm
PA13 4HL. You can keep up to date with
my work as a Councillor by visiting my
blog: http://councillorstephenmccabe.
blogspot.com/ and follow me on Twitter
@CllrSMcCabe.
Can You Help To Save Inverclyde
Off-Road Horse Riders Group?
The Group at present is a fund raising group,
which uses the funds to improve gateways
and surfaces of roads, paths and tracks in the
Inverclyde area. These are of benefit to horse
riders who are keen to ride in quiet places away
from heavy traffic.
At present we are seeking to find some more
riders, who would be interested in keeping the
group active and in existence.
We feel sure that there must be younger
folk out there that would love to ride out
with friends or family on safe off-road
tracks. It would be a shame to allow this
group, which was founded in 2002, to
be disbanded.
We are affiliated to BHS Scotland for
Public liability insurance purposes and
to date have improved several tracks
and worked with the Local Access
Forum to establish the current Core path network in the Inverclyde area.
If you are interested in getting involved to help the continuation of this Group,
please contact Gillian Conway on 01505 872380, gillain.conway@btinternet.
com or Ann Kennedy on 01505 873756, anndkennedy2@aol.com
howwood
& elderslie
.....................................................
The recent consultation on the future of St Anthony's Primary
school is now complete and its outcome will be reported to
the Education Policy Board a few days after I have submitted
this article at its meeting on the 21st January. If agreed it
will mean the relocation of the Spateston Nursery into a
refurbished St Anthony's. Over 90 per cent of people who
took part in the consultation agreed with this proposal so
good news for the children who attend St Anthony's and the
nursery as both establishments being in the same building
will bring many advantages.
As I write this, the council are looking at what the Scottish
Governments budget means for Renfrewshire Council by the
time you read this some of the proposals might well be in the public domain. I
hope to update you on any issues that might affect the village.
At the recent Community Council meeting the issue of litter in the village was
again raised. This problem seems to be worse at the entrance's to the village
and it looks like some of it is thrown out of passing cars. I have asked the
council to have a look at this situation to see what can be done.
Further on the issue of litter, the Community Council have organised its annual
litter pick and this year it's being held on the weekend of the 16th and 17th
April. Volunteers will be most welcome. I will issue further details nearer the
time.
To close a reminder my surgery is between 6pm and 7pm in the village hall on
the fourth Thursday of the month.

Ladies’ Day
www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
35 35
A group of generous Renfrewshire ladies recently raised a wonderful £1400 in
aid of St Vincent’s Hospice in Howwood.
Julie Munro from Kilbarchan decided to organise an event when she realised
that work commitments would prevent her from attending the Hospice’s annual
Ladies Lunch. Around 60 glamorous ‘Friends of Friends’ attended Julie’s funfilled
Ladies’ Day at the River Inn in Crosslee.
Julie said ‘I’ll always be grateful to St Vincent’s Hospice for the care they gave
my mum. The Ladies’ Day was great fun and I am delighted that we managed
to raise so much for the charity.’
Julie Munro welcomes the Ladies
Lesley Miller, Fundraising Manager at St Vincent’s said, ‘Julie organised a
fantastic event which not only gave the ladies an opportunity to have a party,
but also raised vital funds to help us care for local families. I’d like to say a big
Thank You! To Julie and her friends for their generous contribution to the work
of the Hospice’.
Howwood SWI
Tuesday 16th February
Using Herbs at Home by Karon
Grieve
Competition - Candle Holder
Hostesses - Cath Love & Isobel
Brocket
Julie Munro with helpers Carolynne
Strachan (left) and Louise Dunn (right)
Vote of Thanks - Irene
MacTaggart
Meetings in Howwood Village Hall at
7.30pm
houston, crosslee
& brookfield
.....................................................
Subscription £18 per annum What’s on February 2016
Monday to Friday, Woodlands Out of
School 01505 615438
MONDAY
Crafty
Hobbies
Crafty hobbies is what
we do
Come and join the crafty
crew
Come and learn some
crafty makes
followed by some tea and
cakes
We meet the 1st and 3rd
Thursday in the month
at 7.30pm in the Carrick
Centre, Houston. No
previous craft experience
necessary. We are just a
group of ladies who enjoy
making things!
Next night is Thursday 4th
February.
Call Lorna Cairns -
612844 or Shirley White
- 610721
H.O.S.T. (Houston Old School Trust)
The Carrick Centre, Houston
Embroiderers Guild ( Weekly ) 10am –
12noon
Yoga (Weekly) 1pm Mary Laidlaw 01505
610217
Rockstar Tumbling Class (Weekly)
4.15pm Roz Hart 07734 714131
Young Farmers 1st, 22nd, 29th 7.30pm
Handiwives 15th 7.30pm D Ure 614651
Diaporama 8th 7.30pm
TUESDAY
Musical Theatre (Weekly) 3:30pm &
5.45pm
Yoga (weekly) 7pm M/s Lawson 01505
613690
Gryffebank Res. Association 2nd
7.30pm
Houston Show AGM 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY
Paint Pot Tots (Weekly) 10am Dawn
Campbell 07789 262 350
Galaxy Dance (weekly) 4pm Lauren
07974 285 102
Councillors Surgeries 17th 6.30pm
Gryffe Melody Makers 3rd & 17th 7pm
Camera Club (weekly) 7.30pm
Houston Community Council 17th
7.30pm
Brookfield Ceilidh
THURSDAY
Burlex Fitness (Weekly) 9.15 – 10am
07944 815 298
Gryffe Quilting Group (Weekly) 1.15 -
3.15pm 18th 10am -3pm
French Class ( Weekly) 4pm F McDevitt
Crafty Friends 4th & 18th 7.30pm
Folk Club (weekly) 8pm Paddybullen@
live.co.uk
FRIDAY
Galaxy Dancing (weekly) 4pm Lauren
MP Surgery (12th) 12.30 – 1.30pm
SATURDAY
Galaxy Dancing (weekly) 9.30am Lauren
Heyes Photography 10am
SUNDAY
Baptist Church (weekly) 11am and 6pm
Booking enquiries to Ian Simpson,
01505 612203 Sandy Young 01505
331488 Bill Haddow 01505 690693
hostbooking@outlook.com or The
Coffee Shop
Brookfield enjoyed a successful and energetic family ceilidh in the hall in
January. We were accompanied by Colin Walker Ceilidh Sound who instructed
our dance moves and kept our kilts whirling! Great fun was had by all who
attended.

36 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
houston, crosslee
& brookfield
.....................................................
Houston and Killellan Kirk
The fanatastic sum of £895.82 was raised by the Kirk Postie. The money has
been sent to Renfrewshire Christmas lunch and this made Christmas special
for so many local people. Well done and thank you.
The Guild are going to be busy this month on 2nd February Grant Young will
be entertaining us with his adventure around Europe by bike. This is also bring
a friend night. On the 16th February Mission Aviation Fellowship will be telling
us of the great work they do. On Saturday 27th we will be hosting a Daffodil
Tea in the West Hall from 10.30am until 12noon. Tickets available from Guild
members £2 adults and £1 for children to include cream tea/coffee. Come
along and enjoy! This year the World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday 4th
March at 7.30pm in Houston and Killellan Kirk.
Senior Citizens are looking forward to Wednesday 10th February hearing
Kate Jackson tell of her tales of cycling across Scotland. On Wednesday 24th
February a Bring and Buy sale is being held this being a fundraiser for the
group. They meet in the Church hall at 2pm. Please come along everybody
welcome.
.....................................................
My surgeries
are held on the
second Tuesday
of each month in
Brookfield Village
Hall from 6pm to
6.30pm then in
Houston Village
Hall from 7pm to
7.45pm.
I can be contacted
by phone on
01505 610018 or by e-mail at cllr.
allan.noon@renfrewshire.guv.uk or
through Renfrewshire Council on
0300 300 1265
Brookfield Village
Council AGM
Friday 18 March
As all residents of Brookfield have an equal
share in the land and property owned by
the village, including the Village Hall itself, it
is important to have your say, so we would
really like to encourage as many residents as
possible to join us on the evening of Friday,
18th March.
We will be discussing the important issues
of the year, sharing news from the various
Clubs and Associations, as well as garnering
opinion on some constitutional items.
However, please don’t think this is all serious
stuff, as following the AGM we will be enjoying
a fun social evening with our friends and
neighbours, so please do come along.
I will be holding
surgeries at
Linwood High,
Tweedie Hall,
Linwood and the
Carrick Centre,
Houston.
To keep up to date
with my work for
the area, or to
raise local issues,
why not 'like' my
local facebook page:
www.facebook.com/
CouncillorStuartClark
Brookfield
Art Show
Sat 19 & Sun 20 March
The ever popular Brookfield
Art Show will be held on
Saturday 19 March from
6.30pm - 8.30pm and Sunday
20 March from 12noon to
4.30pm.
We are supporting the Sport
Relief Mile and holding an
event in the village hall.
You can also check us out
on Twitter @brookfieldvpa,
Brookfield Village on
Facebook or on our website,
brookfieldvillage.org.
Houston and Killellan Kirk
Carnival
Star Wars “May The Force 14th Be With You” on Saturday 14th May. The Force
Awakens and Houston will become the centre for Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker,
Stormtroopers and soccer ball shaped droids and many others.
This is an important event in the church calendar, and we welcome all. Who will
be the First order trooper Snowtrooper or Flametrooper? This is an immensely
successful event within the village and a tremendous amount of hard work is
put into the day, dedicated helpers and extremely generous public.
It is also the time for gardeners to think about the sowing of seeds, people
clearing out bric a brac, toiletries etc., In next months edition more information
and contact numbers will be available.
kilbarchan
& lochwinnoch
.....................................................
Villagers in Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch who may have
heard rumours about the future of the Steeple Hall and
McKillop institute, will be reassured by the commitment
given by the current administration at the December
meeting of Renfrewshire Council, that it has not, and will not
close any of its community facilities, and is determined to
enhance and improve all those facilities, a move approved
despite some opposition councillors failing to back the
administration.
While I am seeking an accelerated programme of the work
involved, the timing of and funding of these improvements
and indeed others, sadly will be affected by the decision in
the Scottish Government budget on the 16 December, to yet again cut funding
to Renfrewshire Council.
Such cuts cannot continue without having a serious impact on services,
however I will continue to work to minimise the effects of these cuts, argue
for a fairer deal for Renfrewshire, as well as work for the improvements to our
community facilities.
Thanks to those constituents who contacted me regarding the resurfacing work
on Burntshields Road Kilbarchan, which was completed just before Christmas.
This has been long awaited, but has been welcomed by those who regularly use
the road, and who had made previous representation to me.
Congratulations to Carrie McIntyre Renfrewshire South Member of the Scottish
Youth Parliament and her colleagues, for their successful campaign assisted
by Hugh Henry MSP, in getting McGills buses to remove their evening curfew on
young peoples travel tickets. which are now valid up to 10pm.
Thanks also to McGills for responding positively to the campaign.
My surgeries are on the first Saturday of the month except January and July at
9am in the McKillop institute and 10am in the Steeple Hall
Please contact me any time at cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone
07534156007 or 0300 300 1274

Kilbarchan
Parish Church
We extend a warm welcome to join us
at either our Sunday service at 11am
or our Midweek Fellowship on a
Wednesday morning at 10.30am. On
a Sunday morning the Rev Stephen
Smith, our minister, conducts worship
in the Church building off Steeple
Square and Crèche and Junior
Church meet in the hall at 10.45am.
All children from babies to 11years
old will be made most welcome. On
a Wednesday morning we meet in
the small hall from 10.30am for tea,
coffee and chat followed by a short
informal service at 11am, taken
either by Stephen or one of our
worship leaders.
The Guild has two meetings during
February, both at 2.30pm in the
church hall. On Tuesday 9th February
we welcome other Guilds and
Fellowship groups to join us when
we will be entertained by the Comrie
Singers. On Tuesday 23rd February
Commissioner Banks of the Salvation
Army will tell us of his work as an
Airport Chaplain.
During the week many other groups
meet in the church halls – Tots Club,
Men’s Club, Stitching Group, Country
Dance Group, Badminton Club and
all sections of the Boys’ Brigade. If
you are interested in any of these,
details can be found on our website
- kilbarchan-kirk.btck.co.uk
Kilbarchan
Old Library
Centre
www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Kilbarchan
Hill Organ
Demonstration
Come and hear one of Scotland’s
best Church organs before it is too
late.
Kilbarchan East and West Churches
united to form Kilbarchan Parish
Church in December 2015, using
the former East Church. The organ
in the former West Church is one of
the finest Church organs in Scotland.
Built in 1904 by William Hill and
Son, it remains today with very few
alterations; it has three manuals and
38 speaking stops. The instrument
is listed by the British Institute of
Organ Studies (BIOS) as Grade 1, the
largest Grade 1 listed instrument in
a Church in Scotland, and the only
working Grade 1 instrument in the
Paisley area. It is hoped a new home
can be found for the organ.
On Saturday 13th February, at
2.30pm, Tom Ferguson, organist
there from 1979 till 2015, will talk
about and demonstrate the organ.
All organists and everyone interested
in the organ is very welcome to come
and hear this wonderful instrument.
There will be an opportunity at the end
for organists to try the instrument.
How about a New Year with a new
start with a resolution which you
can joyfully keep? Most importantly
something which gives you pleasure.
Kilbarchan is exceptionally well
provided with many opportunities
on offer. It may be that you already
are part of a group and have a very
satisfying programme. However,
if you are thinking about a new
beginning why not visit the Old
Library.
Stop this happening again
The Centre is a community facility run
for everyone by Kilbarchan Improvement Projects (KIPCo).
Many people will remember the history of the formation of Kilbarchan
Improvement Projects (KIPCo). When the Authority decided that the Kilbarchan
Library had to close there was an enormous protest and appeal by Kilbarchan
residents. This was to no avail. The Community Council decided to request that
the building should remain in use by residents of Kilbarchan and surrounding
area. On the submission of a business plan the Renfrewshire Council agreed.
One of the conditions required by the Council was that a company had to be
legally created. KIPCo was formed in 2001.
The Company is a registered Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by
guarantee. KIPCo is made up of a group of Directors and a team of helpers.
The Old Library Centre building belongs to Renfrewshire Council with the
maintenance, running costs and funding KIPCo’s responsibility. We are
extremely grateful to the number of people, many of whom have been donating
since 2001, who contribute annually to help finance this facility. Further income
comes from the usage of the facilities many uses. Please look on www.kipcokil.
com or call 01505 706070 for details of the opportunities for you to join.
Lilias Day 2016
Preparations are well underway for
this year’s Lilias Day taking place on
Saturday 4 June.
The event continues to provide
fundraising opportunities for good
causes and organisers are currently
inviting applications from charities
and local organisations to take a stall
on the day. A Stall Holders Evening
has been organised for Tuesday
15th March, 7pm, at The Old Library
Centre, Kilbarchan with a 10%
discount on stall prices being offered
to those booking on the night.
Local organisations and individual
streets in the village are once again
being invited to join in the fun by
theming and decorating a parade
float as part of the parade. Demand for floats has been high in the past and
they are currently being allocated so get in touch by emailing the committee on
info@liliasday.co.uk
2016 fundraising efforts begin with a Quiz Night on Saturday 12th March
(venue to be confirmed). Following the success of last years’ big prize raffle
another £1000 will be up for grabs for the top prize winner this year. Raffle
tickets will be available to buy in the countdown to the event.
Chair, Graeme Stockton, has been delighted with the ongoing support Lilias
Day has enjoyed: “We really appreciate the way the community rallies round to
support this important event each year. On behalf of the committee I would like
to thank the organisations and groups, businesses, volunteers and individuals
who all help make it happen.”
For more information email info@liliasday.co.uk like “Kilbarchan Lilias Day” on
Facebook or follow @LiliasDay on Twitter.
Country Dance Classes
Tuesdays in the McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch at 7.30pm.
We always have great fun and it's good exercise too! Phone
Lorna Black 01505 843048 for more info.
37 37

38 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
kilbarchan
& lochwinnoch
.....................................................
Kilbarchan Coffee Morning
Hosted by Kilbarchan Singers on Saturday, 5th March from
10am ‘til 12noon in Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple
Square, Kilbarchan. Tickets £2.50 Various stalls, books baking
& tombola.
Kilbarchan NWR
During the month of February we have 2 meetingseach
of us to talk about something/someone
beginning with the letter “M” and a Hat Night when
members bring along a topic or newspaper cutting,
serious or humorous, to be discussed.
I am always keen to support community initiatives and with the good work of
the Kilbarchan Smiles Group in mind, I proposed at the December meeting of
Lochwinnoch Community Council that a representative from Kilbarchan Smiles
attends a forthcoming meeting of the Lochwinnoch CC to talk about the Stalled
Spaces programme. This is a council funded initiative which has enabled Kilbarchan
to benefit from a targeted approach to rejuvenating unused open spaces in our
villages, and Lochwinnoch community activists are keen to see how this can benefit
their village also.
LEADER is a major EU project which is aimed at boosting businesses, creating jobs,
and regenerating our rural and village communities. Renfrewshire is to benefit this year
from over £2 million LEADER funding for villages like Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch.
Over the last year I have been fighting to get representation on the Local Action
Group, which will decide how these crucial monies will be invested, for all local community councils. The
ruling administration on Renfrewshire Council has did a U turn and selected two community councils as
being representative, one of which is Kilbarchan Community Council.
Risk of flooding is a major issue for parts of both Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, and I am far from
convinced that there is enough collaborative working between Scottish Water and SEPA. I have written
to Scottish Water management demanding more action to resolve these challenges.
My advice surgery in Kilbarchan is on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in the Steeple Hall at 7.45pm,
and my advice surgery in Lochwinnoch is on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the McKillop at 7.30pm,
excluding July. But I am also always available to constituents who can call me on 07534 148224, tweet
me on CllrAndy4Ward8 or e-mail me at cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Habbie Tat
Renfrewshire Riding Club
Fundraising Race Night
Saturday 20th February - Kilbarchan Scout Hall
- 7.30pm-late
Fundraiser to raise funds for the Junior SJ
Team who have qualified for the KBIS Winter
Championships in Bedford, the Only Scottish
Junior Team to do so.
Tickets are priced at £5 and include light
refreshments and race programme.
Contact admin@renfreshirerc.org.uk or 07791
698960 for more information and tickets.
....................................................................
Kilbarchan’s popular Habbie Tat event resumes with a
St Valentine’s day flavour at the Performing Arts Centre
in Steeple Square, on Sunday 14 February.
“We have some different stallholders participating
and given the date, we are all intending to present at
least some items that will be suitable, given the date,”
said organiser Brenda Temple.
“I’ve collected vintage jewellery
for years and have been looking out some of the pieces I can now live without,
some from the Art Deco period and some from the ‘50s and ‘60s, and there will
be items that could be bought as a nice gift for the man in your life too, such as
exquisite American silk ties from the ‘40s and ‘50s”
The Habbie tat events began after several friends spoke about wanting to clear
the attic or tidy out the garage and generally de-clutter.
Each month, there is a different batch of bric-a-brac and collectables presented
and there will be several new stallholders bringing along items for sale in
February.
“We have one couple who are wanting to dispose of a selection of bits and pieces
they were left after an elderly relative died, and a local picture framer is clearing
out his workshop too, with many really beautiful frames for sale at a fraction of
the usual price,” added Brenda.
Doors open at 1pm and all of the admission money collected (tickets are 50p)
go to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2016
early announcement!
39 39
This year's Lochwinnoch Arts Festival runs from
9th March to 9th April 2016.
The headline performer is the legendry Dougie McLean on Saturday
19th March, one of Scotland’s finest singer-songwriters.
The Capitol Big Band 24th
supported by the Factory Street
Quartet. The fantastic Rose Room
gypsy jazz swing bands supported
by Witches Brew.
Sunday 20th March -
Classical classic with opera
singers Hazel MacBain and Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, the Flute
Phonics flute orchestra and the The Melville Wind Quintet.
Tuesday 22nd March - A Scottish evening. The Govan Gaelic
choir, fiddle player Alistair McCulloch - who has been Scottish
National Fiddle Champion, Siobhan Miller - BBC ALBA singer of the Year 2014, and the Jimmy Blair
Accordion Orchestra.
Wednesday 23rd March - A charity concert on a fun sing along with the Lochwinnoch Small Fezzes
ukulele band and other artists. The Lochwinnoch Choral Society and local artists will perform the
final concert on Sunday 27th.
Saturday 12th March - A real ‘drama’ will unfold with Rapid Departure. In partnership with
Renfrewshire Leisure and Paisley Arts Centre present Rapid Departure the brand new immersive
comedy from Right Lines who performed the successful musical Whisky Kisses at Pitlochry Festival
Theatre in 2014.
Thursday 17th and Friday 18th March - More drama is on offer from our wonderfully talented
Calder Drama performing Ladies Day.
Friday 25th March - Dominic Snyder and Nina Enemark will perform ‘wired’ - Dominic Snyder’s
recent movement and dance.
On Easter the Calder church will perform the Lochwinnoch Easter Passion with many local artists.
Saturday 19th March - Well known authors at the Festival including Ron
Ferguson an award-winning journalist, writing for The Herald, The Press
& Journal and Life & Work. Previously, leader of the Iona Community and
minister of St Magnus Cathedral on Orkney. He will be interviewed by Ruth
Wishart who is one of Scotland’s leading journalists.
A well-known musician and artist Ronnie Browne of Corries fame will
talk about his book ‘That Guy Fae the Corries’. He will be interviewed by
Professor Rowena Murray.
Wednesday 9th till Saturday 19th March - The popular Art Exhibition
opening in the library followed by the photography exhibition in the library
from Wednesday 23rd till Sunday 9th of April.
Many workshops and participatory events including Saturday 5th at the RSPB - children’s poetry
workshop and competition, dance on Sunday 13th, photography on Saturday 19th and Sunday
20th, mixed instrument on Sunday 20th with Nigel Gatherer and bodhran with Chris, Waite, Pottery
workshop on Sunday 20th, Krafty Kids on Saturday 26th, Fiddle workshop with Alastair McCulloch
and accordion with Ian Muir on Sunday 27th.
Submissions are now welcomed for Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Art
Exhibition.
Details can be downloaded from the Festival Website, www.
lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk, hard copies are available from Calder
Gallery & Framing, 8 High Street, Lochwinnoch
Tickets can be purchased from Calder Gallery & Framing, The Junction café and
Now & Then in Lochwinnoch. For more information look at the
Lochwinnoch Web site http://lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk/
Lochwinnoch SWI
The next meeting of the Lochwinnoch SWI
is on Wednesday 17th February at 7.30pm
in the McKillop Hall.
Spring is almost upon us, hopefully, and
summer not so far behind so our thoughts
turn towards the new gardening season!!
So, to encourage a village full of colour in our gardens,
David Castelvecci is coming to talk to us about “ Plants for
Hanging Baskets”.
There will also be a sales table, so any donations of will be
gratefully received.
We look forward to welcoming members and visitors to
this interesting evening. Any further information please
contact, Elma Richmond Tel : 843193 or richmond32@
tiscali.co.uk
Kilbarchan Parish
Church Bible Class
and Fewsion
We held our annual campaign for donations to Mary’s
Meals leading up to Christmas. This year, all records
were broken and with the government set to double all
donations and Gift Aid reclaimed, the grand total is £2,300;
a marvellously generous congregation once again!

40 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Kilbarchan Beekeepers
January’s Kilbarchan and District Beekeeping Association (KBA) meeting,
marked the retirement of the outgoing Secretary Ian Craig. Ian has been the
Secretary for KBA for 36 years (1979 to 2015) and a member for far longer
than that. Ian started beekeeping as a 13 year old and in his seventies, is
still one of the area’s most prolific beekeepers (although he has downsized
significantly in the past few years). Ian’s services to the local, Scottish and UK
Beekeeping agenda has been wide ranging and well recognised, even by the
Queen when he was awarded his MBE for Services to Beekeeping in the 2013
New Years Honours list. He joined the Scottish Beekeeping Association over
43 years ago and has been a member of the SBA Executive (now Board of
Trustees) since the early 1990s. Ian took on the role of Education Convenor in
1994 until handing it on in 2012 (although he still performs examinations the
width and breadth of Scotland), and has twice been President of the SBA.
We presented Ian with a hamper for picnics, a gift certificate for a stay in Appin,
all of which he will share with his lovely wife Aileen (who has accompanied
Ian around the country on his beekeeping activities). He also
received a cake (see picture), gloriously covered in fondant
Honeybees, which was shared with the club during the Tea Break
(sorry Aileen).
Interested?
If you are interested in beekeeping for yourself or the whole family,
anyone is welcome. Contact Helena Jackson, the Kilbarchan
and District Beekeepers Association Secretary via e-mail
Helena.Jackson72@sky.com if you would like to know more!
KBA hold evening meetings during Autumn & Winter months in
The Steeple Halls, Kilbarchan between 7.30–10pm. To find out
more about Honeybee husbandry and related topics, drop in to
find out more at one of the remaining winter season meetings
below, or contact us to come along to one of the Apiary visits in
the Spring.
Evening Programme 2015/16
12th January Beekeeping DVD’s Daytime Programme 2016/17
with Peter Stromberg
8th May Apiary Visit 1 Ian Craig
9th February Basic Bee Anatomy
with Alan Riach
8th March A to Z of Swarm Control
with Phil McAnespie
5th June Apiary Visit 2 Duncan
MacGilp
Kilmacolm Horticultural Society
Kilmacolm Horticultural Society will hold their February lecture on
Wednesday 17th February at 7.30pm In the New
Community Centre. Our guest speaker, Dr Sheena
Wurthmann, will ask the question ‘Can Gardeners make
a difference?’ The challenging facts of biodiversity and
climate change figure prominently in our world today -
come along and hear Sheena’s response as an Ecologist.
Everyone welcome, refreshments follow the lecture.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
41 41
December was a very busy
month with Christmas tree sales,
conservation work and many children
attending the New Santa’s Grotto,
so many in fact that we completely
sold out and had to add another two
days. Although regarded by many
as the quieter time of the year, the
next few months will see much
activity, not only conservation work
in the woods and gardens but also
gearing up for the snowdrop trails
taking place throughout February.
We all look forward to seeing you
on the estate soon and the much
anticipated opening of the NEW
FALCONRY CENTRE.
In the garden
We can normally expect January to
be our coldest month of the year,
and probably the wettest also, with
average rainfall in the region of 200-
250 mm; however even in these
poor conditions we can still enjoy
the garden. Many shrubs and plants
in our winter border will be blooming;
The Silk-tassel bush (Garrya
eliptica) looks stunning with its long
silver catkins which can measure up
to 14” (35mm) in length; Viburnum
bodnantense with their rose tinted
flowers,(which are sweetly scented)
are still in bloom and are great value
plants as they bloom for most of
the winter. Even though flowers are
scarce at this time of year, there
are many evergreens; Conifers,
Hollies, Mahonias etc which add
great structure to the garden
(especially when draped with fresh
snow), they make great subjects for
photographers and artists alike.
Winter vegetables now in season
include Parsnips, Red and Green
Brussels Sprouts, Red Kale, Leeks
and Purple Sprouting Broccoli.
Press Cuttings
We would be grateful if you see
anything about Finlaystone in the
press to cut it out and bring it in for
our press files as these will help
form the archives of the future!
Volunteer news
Are you interested in doing some
survey work? This is a great
opportunity for budding naturalists
to hone their skills and for people
interested in nature to learn as we
are planning on setting up several
easy to do monitoring schemes in
2016 – sampling lichens to assess
air quality, bird watching and
wildflower I.D. No prior experience
needed. Your data will be used at
a national level and could make a
real difference to conservation in
Scotland.
And a big thank you to all the
volunteers who help out in the
woodlands and gardens, we couldn’t
run this place without you and we
hope to see you in the new year.
Dates for your Calendar:
Every Sunday in February we will
have a ranger guided walk through
the snowdrop trail, these are held
from 1-3pm. We will have a “Special
Moonlight Snowdrop Walk” on Friday
the 12th Feb the cost of this is £5 per
Adult and £3 per child aged three or
over. This is a pre book event only.
Waxwings Visit
The waxwing is a round bird, which
is smaller than a starling. It has a
large Mohican-like yellow crest. It is
reddish-brown with a black throat, a
small black mask round its eye.
Waxwings have been visiting the
estate this winter to feast on berries,
the birds don’t breed in Scotland but
are winter visitors from Scandinavia.
There has been a very good
season for them and large numbers
‘overflow’ their home territories
in what is known as an irruption,
we then see increased numbers
stripping the bushes of berries.
For further information
telephone 01475 540505
or visit the website at
www.finlaystone.co.uk
Ardgowan House, Inverkip - Sunday 21 February 2pm-5pm
The first garden opening of the year
- Ardgowan House, Inverkip - is
open on Sunday 21 February from
2pm-5pm. Enjoy woodland walks
carpeted with masses of snowdrops
in a lovely setting overlooking the
River Clyde. The paths can be very
muddy at this time of year so come
prepared with sturdy waterproof
footwear and clothing. The garden
is not wheelchair accessible at this
time of year but there will be delicious
homemade teas and a plant stall
at the house. Admission is £2 and
beneficiaries are Greenock Medical
Aid Society and SG charities.

42 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Welcome to Scotland’s largest Regional Park
Continue Your Good Work!
Did you succeed with your New Year’s resolution or even if you ‘failed’
don’t be disheartened and certainly don’t give up, get back on it and
explore the Park’s roads, paths, trails and tracks by walking, running or
cycling. Don’t think about it, just get yourself here and go! Need a goal to
keep motivated? Sign up to Pedal the Park, details below…
Pedal the Park 2016 – Sun 24 Apr
We are proud to announce that this year Pedal the Park’s official charity
partner is CLIC Sargent with £5 from every entry going to helping the
children’s cancer charity. We have 2 exciting sportive options Classic
75km and a Challenging 100km to choose from and just £15 entry fee!
Also returning will be para cycle ride. Put Sun 24 Apr in your diary now
and check Ride 63’s facebook page for link to the British Cycling Entry
Form – now LIVE!
Art in the Park Returns to Castle Semple
The Lochwinnoch Art Group’s annual exhibition will run at Castle Semple
from Fri 5 Feb until Sun 21 Feb. All paintings are for sale. Drop in and
have a look or even a coffee!
Beginners Spoon Carving Workshop – Sun 28 Feb
Join us to learn how to carve wood at Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. It’s a
great hobby and skill to learn plus there will be advice on what knives and
types of wood are best too. Book in on this unique workshop call 01475
521 458, time is 10am – 3.30pm and cost is £25.
Duke of Edinburgh Programmes at Clyde Muirshiel
The Park has expanded our range of expeditions and skills to suit
Duke of Edinburgh participants of all abilities. Get in touch with dofe@
clydemuirshiel.co.uk if you know of a group of 14-24 yr olds who could
benefit from a tailored programme!
Ride 63 Club News
Save the dates now and get involved! Email the Secretary at
ridesixtythree@gmail.com to become a member or email the Park at
routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk or more information.
Windows on Wildlife
The Clyde Muirshiel Windows on Wildlife Project aims to bring people
closer to wildlife, gaining a unique insight to the furry & feathered
inhabitants of Castle Semple Country Park. Countryside Ranger Hayley
Douglas gives us an update.
Wildlife News
Well the weather has certainly been wild over the last wee while with
the various storms hitting us and the water levels remaining high on the
River Calder and on the lochs. There were many reports of little auks,
a small black and white seabird, being blown inland although none of
them appeared in Lochwinnoch. We did however, have three great blackbacked
gulls hang around for a day before departing back to the coast.
The number of wintering mute swans has increased and we are regularly
getting 30+ birds looking to be fed. Whoopy the whooper swan is still about
and visits regularly although he is more likely to be seen over at the RSPB.
Please remember to throw all food into the water, particularly any bread,
so it swells up before the birds eat it. We feed the swans barley on bad
weather days which they really like if you wish to feed them something else
or why not come along to one of the Swan Chats to get more info?
With the higher water levels there has been an increase in swans getting
tangled in fishing line as old discarded line gets moved about and caught
on vegetation. We welcome responsible fishermen so please remember to
clear up after you and if you see any line or affected wildlife, please let the
Rangers or Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue know (01505 502 415).
Some of the badgers have been very active during the recent mild spells
with Rough and Salt regularly caught on camera. It is hoped that Tufty will
again produce cubs in February although we won’t know for certain until
April-May time. Don’t forget you can catch up on all the wildlife news on
the project’s Facebook page as well as tuning in to Scotland’s City Safari
on STV Glasgow on Friday nights at 8.30pm and STV (Channel 3) on
Sunday at 12.30pm.
Events
The next Swan Chat, where you can pop along and find out more about
the swans and wildfowl at Castle Semple Loch, takes place on 20th of
February at 2pm.
More Info…
Details can be found on the Park’s website page www.clydemuirshiel.
co.uk or by emailing wow@clydemuirshiel.co.uk. Footage can be viewed
on the Park’s Youtube channel or on the WoW Facebook page. Talks to
groups can be arranged.
Regular Events
Mondays (put not public holidays)
Lochwinnoch Community Walks
meet 10.30am at The Cross,
Lochwinnoch.
Weekly Volunteer Groups -
Newcomers always welcome!
Thursdays
Castle Semple Conservation
Volunteers, Adult group, from
12.30pm – 3.30pm.
Saturdays
Greenock Cut Conservation
Volunteers, Adult group, 10.30am
– 2.30pm.
Sundays
Castle Semple Young Volunteers,
12-18 yr olds, 10am – 12noon.
Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or
Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
43 43
Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society
The Society’s guest speaker in January was local
member Ewen Brown who spoke about his lifelong
passion for cacti and succulents. His boyhood
interest started with growing plants indoors on
windowsills before his burgeoning collection moved
into a 6’ greenhouse. His first cactus was the Peanut
Cactus with its bright red flowers. Since then Ewen’s
care of plants, seed germination and growing on of
cuttings has required moves to a greenhouse 12’
long and, at present, one 30’ in length.
Cacti and succulents produce vibrant, stunning
flowers like those of Mesembryanthemums or
Livingstone Daisies which are the succulents we grow in our summer gardens. Like many sunloving
plants their flowers tend to have a short life and, as a lad, Ewen took his collection with him
on holiday, stashed along the back window of the car, so he would not miss any imminent display.
Cactus and succulent are general names given to two plant groups. Some cacti are true desert
dwellers but others grow in grasslands, mountainous areas and even on other plants. Succulent
is a descriptive term for plants which store moisture in their fleshy leaves and stems. Cacti and
succulents can grow in extremely hostile environments. They have developed cunning defence
mechanisms, such as multi-sized spines and barbed or hooked ones.
A south-facing windowsill is ideal for a small collection. During their growing season, which is spring
to autumn, plants require a lot of water and a weekly feed. They then rest for the remainder of their
year and need low temperatures and occasional watering, if they start to shrivel. Compost, which is
gritty, is available commercially. If you want to make up your own, use an equal mix of horticultural
sand, grit and loam. When growing on, cacti and succulents are best potted into slightly larger pots.
Gently remove the grit from around the base and hold cacti by the roots. Alternatively, with great
care, wrap a thick layer of newspaper or foam rubber around the plants before undertaking any
change! Even sap can be an irritant as succulents are in the Euphorbia family.
Like everyone, Ewen has had some greenhouse disasters but his enthusiasm
for cacti and succulents remains undimmed and he hoped he encouraged
others to try a greater variety of these intriguing plants.
Our next guest speaker will be another member, Paul Matthews, formerly
of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Paul will give us tips on “Pruning – to
cut, or not to cut?” We meet on Thursday, 11th February at The Royal
British Legion at 8pm. And, as always, guests are welcome to come along
to pick up tips on this thorny subject.
Brighter
Bridge of Weir
Winter Wonder
Well, it’s been a funny old off-season for
plants, so far. Although major snowfall had been forecast
for last month, at the time of writing we’ve escaped the
worst of it in our area, having had only a day or two of
chaos. Before that, the average temperatures had been
unseasonably warm. That, together with the heavy rainfall,
meant that things were growing when they shouldn’t
have been. We heard of someone who cut their lawn in
October, expecting that to be the last time until the spring,
but they had to cut it again just before Christmas. (Maybe
they’re just fussy,
though.) And not only
were there Christmas
roses this year, but we
had Christmas daffodils,
too!
Perhaps by the time the
Advertizer’s February issue is out, the snowdrops will be
too, but there’s no sign of them as we prepare this report.
The big worry is that all the plants are lulled into a false
sense of season and emerge too early, only to be killed
off by a sudden, prolonged cold snap.
Still, let’s try to look on the bright side - spring is just
around the corner. Well, if not this corner then the next
one. And Brighter Bridge of Weir are once again setting
out plans for the 2016 growing season. If you’re a resident
of Bridge of Weir, or have a business in the village, let
us know if you have any ideas on how to make things
brighter than ever.
You can contact us via our website at www.brighterbridgeofweir.org,
or on our Facebook page (facebook.com/brighterbridgeofweir).
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the
biggest wildlife survey in the world
and last year, over half a million
people took part, counting more than
8.5 million birds – a tremendous effort!
We’re hoping even more of people will
have joined in this year.
The survey is incredibly useful as it
helps us monitor population trends of
garden birds, such as the continuing
long running decline in greenfinch
numbers (53% decline since 1979).
This long term drop is likely due to
Trichomonosis, a disease which
can be contracted at garden feeding
stations - so it’s good to clean them
every now and then!
February sees the
introduction of our new,
self-led wild challenge
events. These run for a
few days at a time over
the course of the year, meaning you
can do at a time convenient to you.
With follow up events scheduled for
April, May, July, August & September.
“Be a Bird” is the first instalment
running between 12 – 16 February,
and is sure to be a hit with children of
all ages. Go out on our trails, become
a bird for the day, build nests and
flee from other predatory birds. Then
return to the visitor centre where you
can check out some birdy artefacts.

44 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Houston Baby and Toddler Group
every Monday
Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers
McKillop Hall. 9.30am-11.30am £2/
family fee includes tea & children’s snacks.
Kilmacolm Playgroup
St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm,
9.30am-11.40am
Howwood Baby & Toddler Group
Howwood Parish Church. 10am-12noon.
Kilbarchan East Tots Club
East Church Hall. 9.15am-11.30am
every Tuesday
Bridge of Weir Toddlers
Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW
Pop along and see us from 9.30-11.30am
Baby Social
Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers Vill. 11am
Meet mums, drink coffee & eat cake.
Kilmacolm Playgroup
St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm,
9.30am-11.40am
Howwood Playgroup
Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am
every Wednesday
Kilmacolm Toddlers
St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm,
10am - 11.30am
For children from birth to 3 years.
Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers
McKillop Hall. 9.30am-11.30am
£2/family fee includes tea and children’s snacks.
Howwood Playgroup
Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am
every Thursday
Houston Toddlers
Church Hall, Main Street, Houston
Pop along and see us from 9.30-11.30am
Children from 0-4 years old are very welcome with
their parents/grandparent/carer. You’ll receive a warm
reception and the children can have fun playing with
our many toys while the adults chat over a cuppa!
We also enjoy special events, such as seasonal crafts
and we recently had lots of fun at our Christmas party,
and had a visit from a very special guest!
Duchal Nursery
School
We’ve had a great start to the year
beginning our Beatrix Potter project finding
all about Peter Rabbit and his exploits. We
will be learning about all sorts of animals
through the wonderful characters created
by Beatrix Potter who was born 150 years
ago this year. It’s wonderful how her books
still catch the imagination of the children
now.
We meet every Thursday between 9.30am - 11.30am (term time)
in the West hall, Main Street, Houston, PA6 7EL (next door to the
Carrick Centre) – pop along when you can. We look forward to
meeting you, Lesley, Sharon & Fiona.
For further information come along one morning or contact Lesley
Jackson on 07900 556 004 or lesleyannjackson@outlook.com
St Fillan’s Primary School,
Houston
St Fillan’s staff and pupils have returned to school in the New Year
with a focus on being more active.
We have started to go out to the playground to do ‘The Daily
Mile’. This is where children walk or run every day in the school
playground. Pupils run/walk in their outdoor gear and do not need
to bring a change of shoes or clothes to do this. Everyone is
encouraged to walk briskly and those who can run are encouraged
to do so. Studies show that it is an effective way of tackling the
rising levels of childhood obesity.
Kilmacolm Playgroup
St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm,
9.15am-11.40am
Howwood Playgroup
Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am
every Friday
Langbank Under 3’s
Church Hall, Langbank 10am-11.45am
For children from birth to 3 years
1st & 3rd Friday
Renfrewshire Inverclyde Twins
Club
McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch 10-
11.30am
£3. Bring a mug along for a cuppa.
If you would like to come and visit the
Nursery and meet the teachers please
contact Head Teacher Jean McCarthy on:
Tel. 874358. Also visit our website at: www.
duchal.com to keep up to date with all the
latest news.
We are looking forward to celebrating
Chinese New Year at the beginning of
the month – which usually involves lots of
messy fun with chopsticks – wish us luck!!
PHOTO - Pupils out walking on their “Daily Mile”
Inside the school we are having a Scottish focus. All classes are
learning Scottish dances during PE time as well as preparing for
our Burns Celebration, where each class will perform for each
other. Some are learning a Scottish poem, whilst others will be
singing a song.
During assembly the children will be given opportunities to show off
something Scottish which they have been learning in their own time
out with the classroom.

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Kilmacolm Playgroup &
Toddlers
45 45
We wouldn’t normally wish for snow on a Playgroup day, in case it stops
us getting there and seeing our friends, but sometimes just a little can be
fun! Here we are experimenting with making a “snowcastle” and looking
for buried treasure. Everyone had great fun and, as well as enjoying the
pouring and building, tactile play can be very therapeutic - and there are
also lots of little mathematical and scientific concepts being explored in
the background. That is one of the reasons why we always have the play
dough out, so that we can mould it and play with friends or an adult or just
experiment on our own if we feel like it. A good part of a Playgroup morning
is devoted to free play so that the children can make their own choices
about what to do and who with, which
builds a great variety of social and
conversational skills. Visits welcome
at any time to see what we get up to!
Playgroup runs on Monday, Tuesday
and Thursday mornings in the Lesser
Hall of St Columba Church. For more
information, contact Emma at emma@
kehoes.com.
Our Toddler and Baby group runs
on Wednesday mornings from 10 to
11.30am, also in the Lesser Hall. Come
along for a play, a chat and a cup of
tea, as well as the chance to make
some new friends. For babies and
toddlers aged 0 to 3 years. For more
information contact Beth at thebbles@
hotmail.com.
Woodlands Day Nursery
Baby Room - We hope you all had a lovely Christmas & New Year. We
have started off the new year learning about shapes and the children are
being provided with lots of opportunities to explore. They have been making
shape collages, taking part in fun art & craft activities, looking at picture
books and exploring shape jigsaws. We will also be learning about colours
throughout this month and planning lots of fun activities.
Tweenie Room - The children in
the Tweenie Room are enjoying
exploring the outdoors this month.
They have been taking part in
walks in the woods and feeding
the ducks and swans at the pond.
Our topic is all about me which
is encouraging the children’s
self-awareness, improving their
personal development and is
promoting a homelink.
We have been taking part in lots
of activities such as, ice chipping,
profile masks and making yummy
chocolate truffles to take home.
Rising 5’s - Rising 5’s have
welcomed some new friends into
our room this month and we are
having great fun getting to know
them and help them settle in. Our
topic is our environment, where the
children will be learning about the
world around them, starting
with the nursery community.
We will be exploring the
nursery gardens, hunting for
insects, bugs and looking
at different plants. We will
also be promoting recycling,
allowing the children to
bring materials in from
home to make models with
and talking about looking
after the environment.
Winter Safety
Advice for Pedestrians
Pedestrians must ensure that they are well
prepared for winter and dress appropriately for
the temperature. It’s important to ensure that the
pavement outside your home is safe to walk on
and clear of ice or snow. You should also wear
shoes or boots with non-slip soles and consider
wearing reflective or bright-coloured clothing so
that other road users are able to see you when it’s dark or visibility is poor.
Hats or scarves that cover your ears can also distort or eliminate the muffled
sounds of approaching vehicles, so it is important to take extra care when
crossing the road or checking for traffic. Keep warm but make sure that you
are fully aware of what’s going on around you.
Follow all traffic signs and signals and before you step off the kerb at
crossings, make sure any oncoming vehicles have come to a complete
stop. It is dangerous to try and run across the road as you may not be
aware of dangers such as ice, pot holes or deep puddles that can cause
injury. Keep in mind that vehicles can take up to ten times longer to stop
on slippery surfaces, so don’t make any sudden movements and give
motorists plenty of time.
Do not cross the road while distracted, for example, whilst using your phone.
If walking home, particularly late at night, make sure someone knows when
you are expected to arrive at your destination in case something happens
which leaves you exposed to freezing temperatures longer than planned.
For more visit http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/road-safety/winter-road-safety
Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots
We continue to enjoy a large turn-out of tots with their adults each week and
have a large variety of toys and a bouncy castle to amuse them and lots of
tea/coffee for the adults. There is a waiting list at present, with priority given
to Kilbarchan and Brookfield tots.
Kilbarchan Community
Nursery
The children have now settled back after their
Christmas break. In January we took part in
Money week, with Kilbarchan Primary. Children
from the nursery took part in lots of activities
including, making coin pictures, counting coins
and playing in the role play shop. Primary 1
children visited the nursery and bought a book
to take home.
Our new topic is
Weather and the
children have been
using our new
weather station
in the garden to
record rainfall,
measure the wind
speed and monitor
the temperature.

46 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
St Columba’s School
Ski Trip to Austria
In January a group of pupils and staff took the School’s first ski trip in over 20
years. During their five days in Austria pupils enjoyed the wonderful skiing
conditions on the slopes and the various evening entertainment offered
such as swimming, bowling, karaoke, quizzes, games and sightseeing in
Salzburg.
The blue skies, ideal skiing conditions and hospitality of everyone at the
resort combined to make this an unforgettable trip.
Musical Celebration
Just before the start of the holidays, St Columba’s held their popular Musical
Celebration at Greenock’s Town Hall. Pupils showcased their musical talent
performing pieces for soloists, ensembles, choirs, orchestra and pipe band.
This was a wonderful evening in the run-up to Christmas and the income
from ticket sales directly benefits the School’s bursary fund.
Development
Despite the wet winter weather the
development of the Senior School
campus is progressing well.
Parents and pupils were presented
with a short video that demonstrates
how the new classrooms, library and
various spaces in the new extension to
the Senior School campus will look.
For more information on the project
please visit http://www.st-columbas.
org/page/Current_Developments.
aspx.
You can read more news at
www.st-columbas.org

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
47 47
Johnstone Pipe Band
Johnstone Pipe Band was founded in 1943, and at the moment, the team
consists of two bands. The senior band, which won the World Pipe Band
Championships in Grade 3A in 2014, and, in their very first season in Grade
2, won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2015. The senior band will
compete at Grade 2 in the 2016 season, and the plan is to compete as a
Grade 1 band, from 2017.
The junior band competed for the first time in the 2015 season, as a
Grade 4B band, and the vision is for the junior band to be competing as
Grade 3 by 2018. Between the two bands, there are seventy-six pipers
and drummers.
For the past four years, volunteers at Johnstone Pipe Band have run
weekly education classes in piping and drumming, in which pupils receive
expert tuition, and sit the associated exams. At the moment they have
over thirty learners, and no matter the social or financial background that
the pupils come from, it is important to them, that everyone who has the
talent and aptitude for a musical instrument, should be encouraged to
play. The students are awarded nationally recognised qualifications, by
the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Johnstone Pipe Band also supplies
the piping teacher for 150 pupils in Renfrewshire Schools. As they head
into the New Year, the bands are looking forward to a season with their
biggest ever team, which, in turn, provides challenges of it’s own.
Search for a Sponsor
This year, for the team to reach its optimum potential, they are looking
for a major sponsor.
Band uniforms (kilt, tweed jacket, waistcoat and hat badge) are supplied
to new members (there are twenty new members this year), and are
repaired and replaced as required (some of the band members are still
growing).
Bag pipe bags and reeds have to be replaced on a regular basis, and the
drums are replaced every three years.
A sponsor’s name will be guaranteed high level exposure at national and
international events, in the local and national media-newspapers and
television. That name will also be connected to an organisation with a
reputation for dedication and excellence.
The sponsor will have the opportunity support a band that has a proud
history, and, to help to shape Johnstone Pipe Band’s future.
Jennifer SN Buchan, Fundraising Committee, 01505612300/07889796360
jenniferbuchan@btinternet.com website: www.johnstonepipeband.co.uk

48 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Bridge of Weir Primary
This month sees the school kick off with a Highland fling! All things Scottish
are being celebrated as pupils learn Scots poetry and songs with a touch of
Burns thrown in for good measure. The focus is our Senior Citizens concert
which will take place at the beginning of February. The grandparents of
Bridge of Weir will be regaled with “The Sair Finger” and “You Cannae
Shove Your Grannie Aff A Bus” along with many more old favourites. Mrs
Bell also said that a big draw to this event is the amazing shortbread that
is provided!!
P6 had a busy day attending the Glasgow Science Centre where, continuing
with the Scottish theme, the pupils learned more about their current topic
‘The Clyde’. Ryan and Olivia explained how they received a talk from
the scientists on brown trout and the conditions they require to live and
stay healthy. This should aid the pupils as very shortly the school will be
receiving some fish eggs of their own. Two tanks will provide an artificial
environment for hatching fish eggs. Pupils will learn exactly what conditions
they need to survive and the importance of maintaining these factors so the
eggs will hatch and the fish grow. Eventually the fish will be released back
into the Clyde. Bridge of Weir Primary is one of the first schools to embark
on such a project.
Congratulations
are deserved for
P7 who raised an
incredible £735
for Phantasanja,
the orphanage in
Thailand. They did
this by organising
a ‘Bring and Buy’
sale at the school. It
takes £4000 a year
to run the orphanage
which the school
along with the
local community
supports. A great effort!
It is all go at Houston Primary
Forest Education Programme - This session another block of Forest Schools
commences. The pupils will be going out to explore the local woodland
environment as part of the school’s Forest Education Programme led by
Acting Depute Head Teacher Mrs McPherson and her forest team. The
children will experience nature first hand, whilst making links with other
areas of the curriculum. They will be learning the skill of whittling, fire making
and cooking outdoors. The groups that have already experienced this
programme thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors in all weathers squelching
through the mud. However the highlight of toasting marshmallows over the
campfire at the end of the block was a particular favourite.
iPads - Our second batch of iPads have arrived, much to the delight of
our pupils. The Primary 6 Techno Team have been working in the nursery
teaching the children how to play games on the iPads to enhance their
learning of shape, number, rhyme and animals. They have also been
helping the teachers to set up in infant classes too. What a team they are!
Back to School - A new year begins with children back to school working
hard. The Primary 1 pupils are learning how to be financial whizz kids
in their new topic in maths about money. Primary 2 are learning about
Houses and plan to visit the Cala building site to observe the workmen
at the construction site. Primary 3 are learning about the Synagogue and
the Jewish faith. Primary 4 have started to read Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory and are looking forward to making real chocolates of their own.
Primary 5 are learning about road safety and the importance of wearing
reflective clothing whilst out in the dark. Primary 6 are preparing for our
Scottish afternoon and have been practising playing the bagpipes, highland
dancing and poetry recital. Primary 7 are embarking on a joint drama project
with St. Fillan’s Primary. They will be working with the Citizens Theatre for
the next eight week on their production of Divided City.
Solar Panels - The school has additional work going on with solar panels
being fitted to the roof. This has been a perfect learning opportunity for
the Primary 2 scientists who have been out observing the works and
interviewing the workmen. They asked lots of very interesting questions
about the scissor lift that was taking the men and the equipment they
needed up onto the roof. Let’s hope we get lots of Houston sunshine to
make it a profitable installation.
Gryffe High - Young Musician
of the Year 2016
In keeping with tradition, many pupils went through the qualifying rounds for
a place in the prestigious finals of the Young Musician of the year event. The
competition is divided into three sections Junior, Intermediate and Senior.
There were eleven Finalists and they provided an amazing standard of
musical talent. As well as working to perfect their pieces and playing to a
filled theatre, the pupils benefit from the very experienced adjudication of
Mr David Murray.
Mr Murray provides the pupils with a very detailed and considered
assessment of their performance on the night. This is always in the form
of constructive comments and is delivered in a warm, well spirited manner
and always with a smile and words of encouragement and humour! ‘Have a
wee check of chord 41 when you next get a chance!’
Instruments included
the Spanish guitar,
violin, piano, clarinet,
electric guitar, flute and
the drums. Performers
were introduced by Holly
Stephen (S4) and John
Reader (S5). Members of
the S6 Pupil Management
Group helped with
welcoming guests and
providing refreshments at
interval.
Mr Murray commented on the consistent high standard of music and how
all of the performers made his job a difficult one.
Mr Johnson thanked the pupils, Mr Murray and the music department for a
fantastic evening.
Our congratulations goes to ALL of the finalists for achieving such a high
standard.
Well done to winners- Junior – Christian Galvin S1 – Spanish Guitar;
‘Landler - Mertz’ on; Intermediate – Jasmine Galvin S4 – Piano; ‘Sicilienne
– Paradis’; Senior – Hannah Dardis S6 – Clarinet; ‘Prelude from Victorian
Kitchen Garden Suite – Paul Reade’
Gryffe High - Modern Studies
go to the High Court
Fourteen of our Modern Studies pupils took
part in the Citizenship Foundation’s Bar
Mock Trial Competition at the High Court in
Glasgow. They took on the roles of witnesses
and lawyers to compete against schools from
around the country. Our pupils spent months
preparing two court cases for the competition.
By the time the competition came around
they knew the cases inside out and were
equipped with some challenging questions
for the opposition. It was a great opportunity
for our pupils to develop their public speaking,
teamwork and critical thinking skills. It
also helped to further their Modern studies
knowledge of Crime and Law which forms
part of our National 5 and
Advanced Higher course
(running next year). Finally our
pupils learned more about law,
for example they learned how to
question a friendly witness and
how this compares to a cross
examination. The pupils put on
a fantastic performance.
Miss H Rowan - Modern
Studies

Brookfield www.advertizer.co.uk Curling Club
february 2016
.
49 49
hy not fill up those long winter evenings with a new sport or revive old skills? Interested in taking up Curling? All standards welcome. For information, telephone 0
14080.
Despite the fact that golf has been difficult recently due to the
very wet weather, December has been a busy month at Ranfurly
Castle.
On the 5th of the month over 30 children braved the monsoon
conditions to attend the children’s Christmas party. They were
kept busy by an entertainer with lots of games before enjoying
the party food. Santa Clause paid a visit and all the children must
have been very good because
all received a lovely gift.
On Wednesday 9th the Ladies had planned to play a Christmas
9 hole competition but, beaten by the weather, 36 Ladies
gathered for a fun quiz instead. This was a bit trickier than many
had hoped for but the over all winners were Marion Munro and
Anne Nicoll. Everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion
by wearing Xmas costumes and the prize for the best dressed
went to Helen Abram who came as Mary with Baby Jesus.
On the evening of 10th December the Club held a CPR training
event which included instructions and a demonstration in the
use of the Defibrillator. This evening was very well attended
and another evening is planned for January to accommodate
those who were disappointed not to be included.
The week beginning the 11th of January saw Ranfurly Castle holding their Annual General Meetings
over several evenings. First was the Junior AGM which was well attended by both parents and
Junior boys and girls. The evening was conducted by Jack Snell, the Junior Convener, and two
of the Annual Trophies were presented. Simon Ferry, the
outgoing Junior Captain, presented the Badge of Office to
Angus Frood, the Junior Captain for 2016.
The Club AGM was held on Wednesday 13th January with
proceedings being conducted by Chairman of the Board
Fraser Clearie. As usual the meeting was very well attended
and outgoing Captain Alan Gordon presented the badge of
Office to Paul Morrell, Captain of the Club for 2016. Paul,
who is a retired British Airways pilot, was delighted to be
able to begin his acceptance speech with the words ‘This is
your Captain speaking’ and have an audience that was keen
to listen to what he had to say!
Finally the Ladies
Section held their
AGM on Thursday
14th. Outgoing
Captain Vicky
Rennie gave the
Annual Report to an
audience of 50 Ladies
before welcoming
Pamela Mackenzie - Vice Captain
Joy McLeod - Ladies Captain
Vicky Rennie - Past Ladies Captain
Football Training
the incoming
Ladies Captain, Joy
McLeod. The evening
concluded with the
Annual Prize Giving
and presentation of
all Trophies.
Junior Captain, Angus Frood &
Outgoing Captain ,Simon Ferry
Allison and Jean Murray
winners of The McLachlan Cup
Tuesday & Thursday nights at Johnstone High School astro between 6pm and 9pm - football
training for players of all age groups & abilities. For further details please call Ali McMaster on
07775 578795, e: Glentyanthistlefc@gmail.com or visit our website: www.glentyanthistle.co.uk
Brookfield Curling
Club
Why not fill up those long
winter evenings with a
new sport or revive old
skills? Interested in taking
up Curling?
All standards welcome. For information,
telephone 01505 614080.
Sat Sweep Curling
Every Saturday until 2 April, from 11.45am -
2.15pm at intu Braehead, Renfrew. Price: £10 in
advance and online only. £15 on the day, subject
to availability. Ticket includes introduction to
curling, warm up and game. Please bring a
warm jumper, clean pair of trainers and a sense
of fun! The curling rink is located on the upper
mall of Braehead Shopping Centre between
McDonald’s & Pizza Hut. Open to all standard
of curlers from beginners up to expert level.
Table Tennis
Houston Village Hall on
Monday nights from 7.30pm -
9.30pm.
All welcome. Donation £2. Call
Mark on 07968 052538.

50 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Castle Semple Sailing Club
Gail Ashley School of Dance
Night out and Prize Giving
In early November 30 members enjoyed an excellent Saturday evening in a
local restaurant. The atmosphere general camaraderie of usual comments
flying around made for a memorable evening.
Arthur and Steve presided over the prize giving (a full list of winners is
available on the website www.castlesemplesc.co.uk).
After the meal and an entertaining caption photo competition with prizes
equal in merit to the captions!, a dozen or so members sauntered across the
road and moved on to the ceilidh being held in the McKillop Hall and spent
the rest of the evening reeling (!) round the dance floor before staggering to
their homes sometime after midnight.
The Whacky Winchester Winter Pursuit Series (“WWWPS”)
The following Sunday morning saw the start of the Winter Pursuit Series.
So far after 7 or so weeks after the first weeks’ racing was abandoned,
due to extreme conditions resulting in a broken rudder, a capsize and a
damaged hull (after being pierced by a bowsprit), only one other Sunday so
far has seen no racing. The most taking part in any one race being 7 boats.
The series so far has enticed 15 helms to take part.
New Year Walk
A dozen
members
and 1 dog
gathered on
time for a
bracing walk
along the
promenade
at Largs.
We were
all looking
forward to a
nice coffee
and scone
on our return to the marina. Unfortunately the cafe was closed.....A quick
phone call confirmed that the Seamill Hydro was open so a short drive
down the road to West Kilbride it was. Some people headed off afterwards
but a few enjoyed a walk along the seashore before heading home.
50th Anniversary
2016 is the Club’s 50th
Anniversary. Since the
Club was first formed
in 1966 it has gone
through many changes
and membership is
currently at an all time
high and we are hoping
this will continue in
2016 especially with the
Olympics and America’s
Cup this year. If you are
interested in joining us or
would like to come along
for a chat please email via our website : www/castlesemplesc.co.uk
2015 Winners of series
Winter Series - Angus Winchester;
Spring Wednesday - Gold, Steve Davision; Silver Brian Young
Jim Gordon Series - Gold, Angus Winchester; Silver, Brian Young (and
Alan Falconer)
Summer Wednesday - Gold, Arthur Logan; Silver, Brian Young (and Alan
Falconer)
Summer Sunday - Gold, Douglas McQuilken; Silver, Brian Young (and Alan
Falconer)
Autumn Wednesday - Gold. Graeme Hall; Silver, Hugh Russell
Autumn Sunday - Gold, Steve Davison; Silver, Brian Young
Congratulations to Arthur being the winner of the O’Neill GP14 Trophy.
As ever we are indebted to Paul of O’Neills of Paisley for supplying the
various trophies.
Also congratulations to Kirsten and Chris for winning the Bonspeil held at
Greenacres earlier in the year.
The children of Gail Ashley school of
Dance held a morning of Dance in the
Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm, the weekend
before Christmas, to entertain family and
friends.
The girls showed their class work, exam work and performed Christmas
Dances. All the dancers hard work was rewarded and fun was had by
everyone. Proud parents watched as the children received their exam
certificates.
The school achieved high marks and a 100% pass rate. Well done girls.
www.gailashleyschoolofdance.co.uk
Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July - The BHF Scotland
is bringing back its Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek after a
successful first year in 2015. Make your mark in the fight for
every heartbeat and join BHF Scotland by walking 100k from
Glasgow to Edinburgh non-stop in 30 hours. Entries are now
open for the 2nd Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek which is taking
place on 30 and 31 July.
Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek is a challenging and fun way to support the
nation’s heart charity, save lives and improve your own heart health at the
same time. It’s one of the most demanding best events in the calendar and
a great challenge to take on to help the BHF Scotland fight back against
coronary heart disease – Scotland’s single biggest killer. Walk day and night
and experience stunning views, atmospheric pathways, moonlit canals and
shadowy tunnels in this unforgettable adventure.
You’ll pass numerous famous landmarks
and sites along the route, including
Kelvingrove Museum and Park, locks on
the Forth and Clyde canal, the Falkirk
Wheel and Linlithgow Palace before
arriving in the capital.
The BHF Scotland hopes to raise £60,000
from the Glasgow to Edinburgh Trek to help
fund essential research which can create a better future for the thousands
of families in Scotland affected by heart disease. At the moment, the BHF
is spending £57million on research in Scotland alone.
For further information and to sign up please visit bhf.org.ukG2Etrek
Entry fees: £50 for adults and young people aged 16 or over.
To register call 0845 130 8663 or email events@bhf.org.uk

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
Houston United
51 51
every Mo n d a y
Ki l b a rc h a n Athletic Cl u b
On-X, Li n w o o d, 7p m
All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.
5-a-s i d e Fo o t b a l l
Po w e r l e ag u e Pa i s l e y 6p m
Tel: Jim on 01505 874215; or jimbretherton@aol.com
Br i d g e o f Weir La d i e s Ba d m i n to n
Ca r g i l l Ha l l, Lintwhite Cr e s, 7.30p m
Ca l l a n e t i c s
Bro o k f i e l d Village Ha l l, 7.15p m
Strathgryffe Mo t o rc yc l e Cl u b
Th e Tr u s t In n, Ki l b a rc h a n 9p m-10.30p m
Visit www.strathgryffe.org for details.
Th e Sh o t o k a n Ka r at e Cl u b
Wo o d l a n d s Pr i m a r y Sc h o o l, Li n wo o d, 7pm - 8pm
& 8p m - 9p m.
www.linwoodkarate.co.uk
every Tuesday
Br i d g e o f Weir Wa l k i n g Gr o u p
Ou t s i d e t h e Co-o p, BoW 10.30a m
1 hour walks. Call Senga on 0141 842 3000.
Gryffe Ba d m i n to n
Strathgryffe Te n n i s Cl u b, 8p m
Fo o t b a l l Tr a i n i n g
Jo h n s t o n e Hi g h Sc h o o l 6p m-9p m
Call Ali on 07775 578795 for details
every Wednesday
Greenock Ho c k e y Cl u b
In v e r c ly d e Ac a d e m y , Greenock, 6.30p m-8p m
Contact Liz Baldwin, mobile 07944 607005
Ca l l a n e t i c s
Br o o k f i e l d Vi l l a g e Ha l l, 5.15, 6.15 &
7.30p m
We are looking for new players to come along and tryout for our team.
Training sessions are Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the On-X
sports centre in Linwood from 7pm until 8pm every week. If you are
interested, please call Colin on 07989 987312.
Kilmacolm Golf Club -
Learn to play golf - FREE!
Kilmacolm Golf Club is once again offering its “Introduction
to Golf” sessions which are aimed at beginners or those
returning to the game, and will cover the basics including,
set up and grip, putting, chipping, iron play and driving.
The sessions give anyone interested in trying golf the
ideal opportunity to give it a go alongside people in a
similar situation in a relaxed environment.
After the 10 week taster sessions, follow up coaching and
the option to take up introduction to golf membership will
be available.
The programme starts on February 4th and runs each Thursday (7-8pm)
until April 7th and will be held in St. Columba’s Church Hall, Kilmacolm with
the final two weeks up on the driving range at Kilmacolm Golf Club. The
sessions are open for adults and children from aged 9 (accompanied by an
adult) and all equipment is provided.
Please note that anyone who attended last year’s classes is more than
welcome to come along!
If you are interested in signing up or know someone who would, please
contact the pro shop on 01505 872695.
Winter Safety
Advice for Cyclists
Poor road conditions at winter can
affect cyclists as well as drivers.
It’s important that all road users
are mindful of the effects that poor
weather can have on their ability to
navigate the road safely.
You should ensure that you and
your bike are visible to other road
users by investing in a good set of
front and rear lights and by wearing
bright and light reflective clothes.
Get a good set of mud guards and
consider heavy duty tyres with a
deeper tread to cope with slippery
surfaces as it can take longer to
stop in poor weather. You should
also invest in warm, waterproof
clothing that does not impact your
ability to cycle including gloves that
will still allow you to switch gears
and use the brakes easily.
For more visit http://www.scotland.police.
uk/keep-safe/road-safety/winter-roadsafety
every Th u r s d a y
Ki l b a rc h a n Athletic Cl u b
On-X, Li n w o o d, 7p m
All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990.
Kilmacolm Wa l k e r s
Bi r k m y r e Pa r k Pavilion, Kilmacolm 10a m
David 01505 874192 kilmacolmwalkers@talktalk.net
Ca l l a n e t i c s
Bro o k f i e l d Village Ha l l, 9.15a m & 10.30a m
Th e Sh o t o k a n Ka r at e Cl u b
Wo o d l a n d s Pr i m a r y. Li n w o o d
7p m - 8p m & 8p m - 9p m
www.linwoodkarate.co.uk
Fo o t b a l l Tr a i n i n g
Jo h n s t o n e Hi g h Sc h o o l 6p m-9p m
Call Ali on 07775 578795 for details
every Fr i d a y
Ca l l a n e t i c s
Bro o k f i e l d Village Ha l l, 9.15a m & 10.30a m
18 Movement (Ta i Ch i) Ch i Ku n g
St Fillans Ch u r c h Ha l l, Mo s s Rd, Kilmacolm
10.15a m-11.15a m
Gentle, relaxing exercise class. 0141 954 2456.
every Sa t u r d a y
Ad u lt Ta p Lessons
Ca r g i l l Ce n t r e, Kilmacolm. l u n c h t i m e.
Call Gail Ashley on 01475 531336 for details
every Su n d a y
Bi r k m y r e Ru g b y Cl u b, Kilmacolm
Yo u t h Ru g b y Se c t i o n 11a m-1p m
www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkmyre
Sporting Blog
Motivation....
More than 50% of people who begin an exercise
program drop out within the first 6 months. The
question is, “Why?” What is it about sticking to
a fitness routine that causes so many people to
abandon it?
The answer? Motivation. They don’t want health and
fitness badly enough. It is a simple fact of human
psychology that if we want something badly enough,
we’ll do everything we can to get it.
Your challenge is to find out what
motivates you to get serious
about fitness and stick with it.
You do not have to be part of
that percentage who quit. You
can stay committed and finish strong; it is all about
finding out what motivates you personally.
Here are some possible motivators for you.
1.
For your health. Consistent exercise and
healthy eating are the two best things you can
do for your health. You will develop a strong,
healthy heart, reduce your chances of many
cancers, prevent diabetes, keep a sharp mind
and resist dementia and avoid many of the
common ailments that come with aging. It is
possible to age without decay, and the key to
this is exercise and eating well.
by Lesley Handley
2. To look better. Appearance isn’t everything,
but most of us care how we look. A strong and
healthy person looks good, and it isn’t all physical;
your demeanour will change as you develop
the confidence that comes from the discipline
of fitness. You will appear more energetic and
confident because you will be more energetic and
confident!
3. To relieve stress. Exercising really does cause
physical changes in your brain and nervous
system that results in feelings of calmness and
well-being. In fact, you may get so hooked on the
mental benefits of exercise that you will crave it!
4. To be strong. If you have never done focused
weight training, then you won’t know of the total
transformation that you can feel after just a few
weeks. And by getting strong now, you reduce
your risk of age-related falls and fractures
because you have the core strength and balance
to keep yourself stable.
Lesley
For more information on any aspect of health and
fitness or personal training contact me on 07736 274
925 or e-mail Lesley@fitsmartfitness.co.uk.

52 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
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www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
DEADLINES
If you want something placed in the
next issue either send an email to:
info@advertizer.co.uk
or call the office:
01505 613340 (24hr ans)
Fri 12 Feb
March ‘16 ISSUE:
• Deadline: 12 February
• Delivery: 26 February
April ‘16 ISSUE:
• Deadline: 18 March
• Delivery: 1 April
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GryffeAds
Kilmacolm/Quarriers area registered
childminders. P/time or
F/time vacancies for u-5’s and
after school. T: 873839.
MISCELLANEOUS
MUSIC TUITION
TUITION
CHILDCARE
Houston registered childminders.
For an informal chat to
find your best childcare, call
Elizabeth Waddell T: 614925
PROPERTY
CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER CANNOT
BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT
FROM THE PUBLISHER
residential PROPERTY TO RENT
HOLIDAY
HOMES
churches
BRIDGE OF WEIR
Freeland Church: Rev KN Gray
BA BD. Morning Service
10.30am. Crèche, Sunday
School, Lynx and Cornerstone.
Eveing Service 7pm
www.freeland.org.uk
St Mary’s Church Scottish
Episcopal Church: Delighting
to praise God; Showing
Christ’s love; Growing in faith.
Services Sundays at 10am.
we have a regular cycle of
prayer for those who live and
work in Bridge of Weir. For
further information, to ask for
special prayers, or in pastoral
emergency, please call the
Rector on 01475 705378
St Machar’s Ranfurly Church:
Rev Suzanne Dunleavy BD
DipEd. Sunday services
10 . 3 0 a m . H e a r i n g a i d
loop system. www.
stmacharsranfurlychurch.
org.uk All welcome.
Hope Hall: Sun 1pm Sunday
School, 4.30pm Gospel
S e r v i c e ; M o n 6 . 3 0 p m
Investigators for Kids, 8pm
Bible Study and Prayer.
ELDERSLIE
Elderslie Kirk: Sunday service
every week at 11am. Minister -
Rev Robin Allison. All welcome.
Weekly meetings:- Monday
Club every week from 12noon
- 2.30pm. Light lunch and a
varied activity programme.
Midweek Fellowship will meet
every Wed from 10.30am for
Tea/Coffee followed by a short
Service of Worship at 11am.
HOUSTON
Houston Baptist Church at
Carrick Centre: 11am Family
services with SS for children
age 5-12; 6pm Eve Service;
Mid-week Home Bible Study;
For more information contact;
Rev D Snelson 01505
612722.
Missed something or fancy
taking a look back over the
last 8 years?
visit www.advertizer.co.uk
or
http://free.yudu.com/library/18833/Gryffe-Advertizer-issues
http://issuu.com/gryffeadvertizer/docs
Houston and Killellan Kirk:
Church of Scotland, Scottish
Charity no SC 012822. www.
houstonkirk.org 7thFeb
- 9.45am Early Service:
The Sacrament of Holy
Communion. 11am Morning
Worship. 14 Feb - 11am
Morning Worship. 21 Feb
- 11am Morning Worship
Guest Minister: Rev Agnes A
Moore BD. 28 Feb - 9.45am
Early Service 11am Morning
Worship
St Fillan’s, Main St, Houston:
Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat)
5pm, 9.30am & 11am.
Weekday Mass: Tues-Sat
9.30am except Thurs, 7pm.
Reconciliation: Sat 10-
10.30am and after Vigil Mass;
Thurs 7.30-8pm. Exposition:
As announced. Baptisms: 1st
& 3rd Sunday of the month by
arrangement. Parish Priest:
Rev Daniel J McLoughlin, Dip.
Th.,MA Pastoral Assistant:
Sr Mary Frances Collett,
RNDM (Tel 01505 613514).
“Abbotsfield”, St Fillan’s,
Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL.
T: 01505 612046, F: 01505
610556. E: parish@stfillan.
org.uk. www.stfillan.org.uk
Church of the Nazarene: Village
Hall, Main St, Houston PA6
7EL. Rev Benito S Coetzee.
Family services at 10.30am
with full toddler, children
& youth activities running
concurrently with the service.
Youth meets at 6.30pm-8pm
on Sundays. Word and Table
Quiet Service held from 9am-
9.30am every 3rd Sunday.
www.houston.nazarene.org.uk
HOWWOOD
Howwood Parish Church:
Sunday Service will start at
10am and there will be a
prayer meeting at 3 Bowfield
Way on Fridays at 7.30pm.
The Gryffe Advertizer is a magazine published by The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd
Advertising throughout The Gryffe Advertizer:
Definitions: “Standards” means the British Code of Advertising Practice
and the provisions of any law applicable to advertising including, but not
limited to, the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, the Consumer Credit Act
1974, the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988, the
Financial Services Act 1986, the Business Advertisement (Disclosure)
Order 1977 and all amendments and replacements.
It is hereby agreed that:
• The placing by the Advertising Client of an Advertisement is deemed to
be acceptance of these Conditions of Acceptance of Advertising.
• All Advertisements in this Publication must not contravene the
Standards.
• Insertion of Advertisements and/or Editorial is strictly at the discretion
of the Publisher.
• The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the
Advertising Client as a result of any failure, negligence or omission by
any party in the course of the distribution or circulation of the Publication
in which the Advertisement is scheduled to appear.
• In the event of any error, misprint or omission by the Publisher in
the printing of an Advertisement, the Publisher will either re-insert
the advertisement, adjust the cost or provide a refund. This does
not apply if the Advertisement has been approved by the Advertising
Client prior to publication. The total liability of the Publisher for such
an occurrence shall not exceed the amount of a full refund for that
particular Advertisement.
• The Advertising Client agrees to indemnify the Publisher in respect
of all costs, damages or other charges falling upon the Publisher as
the result of legal actions or threatened legal actions arising from the
publication of the Advertisement, or any one or more of the series of
Advertisements, published in accordance with the copy instructions
supplied to the Publisher.
• Readers are reminded that when purchasing items or services
advertised in the Publication that the Publisher cannot be held in any
way responsible for the quality or correctness of the items or services
included in the Advertisement.
Editorial throughout The Gryffe Advertizer:
The opinions of the Contributors to this Publication are not necessarily
the official views of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to edit
or refuse any material submitted for publication.
KILBARCHAN
Kilbarchan Parish Church
Minister: - Rev Stephen Smith.
All services in the church
buildings off Steeple Square.
Morning worship on Sundays
at 11am. Midweek Fellowship
on Wednesdays from 10.30am
in the small hall. Crèche,
Junior Church and FEWsion
meet at 10.45am. All will be
made most welcome.
KILMACOLM
Kilmacolm Old Kirk: Church
o f S c o t l a n d ( C h a r i t y
no. SC009291).www.
kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk.
Minister Rev Dr Peter McEnhill
(01505 873174). Morning
Worship - Sundays 11am, all
welcome Sunday School &
Crèche available.
St Columba Church of Scotland:
(charity no SC007992)
Morning Worship Sundays
at 11am.
St Colm’s Catholic Church,
Smithy Brae Kilmacolm.
Rev Vincent Byrne. Family
mass Sundays 10am with
children’s liturgy, followed by
tea and coffee. Eucharistic
service Thursdays 10.30am.
Rosary Tuesdays 6.30pm.
Prayer group meets Thursdays
7.30pm. Further information
and contact details www.
stcolmsparish.co.uk. All
welcome.
Grace Church Kilmacolm: in
association with the Free
Church of Scotland - Sunday
Ser vice at 10.30am in
Kilmacolm Scout Hut - all
welcome.
Buddhist meetings: Buddhism
of Nichiren Daishonin. Phone
Margaret on 01505 871343.
St Fillan’s Episcopal Church
(in Anglican Communion):
Everyone welcome at our
Church in Moss Road. The
Rector is the Revd David
Gifford and the Associate
Priest the Revd Heller
G o n z a l e z ( r e s i d e n t i n
Kilmacolm Rectory). Regular
Sunday Service 11.30am
with monthly Evensong on
last Sundays at 6pm. Family
Service 11.30am on the last
Sunday of the month. Contact
Maureen Russell (Pastoral
Assistant) 01505 872905.
LANGBANK
Langbank Parish Church: Rev Dr
Ken Forrest. Sunday Services
10am with Sunday School,
Creche and young people’s
group, the Welcomers. Tea/
coffee after the service.
Church service starts at
10am. Come along and meet
in the Hall from 9.50am.
Charity No SC015085.
LOCHWINNOCH
Parish Church: Rev May Bell.
11.30am Morning Service
Sunday School and Crèche.
Calder United Free Church:
(Church St Lochwinnoch)
Sunday: 11am Morning
worship with Sunday School
and Crèche. 6.30pm Evening
Fellowship group, 7.30pm
ABC’s Teen group. Wed
6.30pm-7.30pm.
Spiritualist Church,Lochlip
Rd: All services commence
7.30pm.
QUARRIERS
Mount Zion Church: Law View
Road, Quarriers Village. Rev
Andy Lunn BSc, 10.30am with
Junior Church and Bible Class.
Wednesdays prayer and bible
study at 7pm. Fridays prayer
and bible study at 10am. Why
not come and discover the
heart of Christianity with us?
53 53

54 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Items For Sale
Household & Garden
Mahogany extending table
& 6 chairs, inc 2 carvers.
Chestnut coloured upholstery.
Table 91X167cm
and 91x213cm when extended.
Good condition
with general wear and tear.
Collection only. £125. Tel:
01505 671393.
Mahogany display cabinet
with glass fronted cupboards
and drinks cabinet
above and cupboards/
drawers below. The unit
has integrated lights. In
very good condition. Dimensions
are width 201cm,
height 189cm and depth
38cm. Collection only. £85.
Tel: 01505 671393.
Pink Peppa bed + mattress
+ bedding hardly used.
Smoke and pet free home.
£50 Tel: 01505 625726 /
07533 648736.
Console Table: Beautiful
Marks & Spencer dark
wood console table, immaculate
condition, measurements
75cm tall, 35cm
depth, 125cm wide. Cost
£500 sell for £75. Tel:
01505 690658.
Next brown leather 2 seater
sofa in excellent condition,
£50. Tel: 01475 540159 or
07837 778040.
Kudox type 21 double panel
radiators, 2 of still wrapped,
800 x 500, £60 the pair.
Tel: 07939 692722.
Xmas Tree 7’6” Salsburg.
Only 2 years old. Cost £90,
sell for £25. Tel: 01505
326230.
Pine dining/kitchen table 80”
145cm; 4 chairs; unwanted.
Good condition; open to offers.
Tel: 07786 818936.
Aroco (or similar) White Ceramic
Shower Tray -1170 x
800mm complete Shower
Cabinet. Very good condition.
Price new over
£1,000. Will accept £250.
Tel: 01505 873295.
Aluminium Greenhouse 14’
x 8’ (430cm x 245cm).
Glass complete. Sliding
door. Opening windows.
£150. Buyer dismantles
(Houston). Tel: 01505
615818.
Two seater sofa Bed in excellent
condition, coffee table,
bookcase. Items sold together
or individually. £175.
Tel. 07828 456890
Gazebo cream canvas,
3mx3m. VGC. Tel: 01505
702023 or 07850 125609
Mattress Super King Size still
wrapped in makers packaging
Foam Silentnight £120.
Tel: 07791 688240.
Super King Size Slatted Bed
Frame as new £120. Tel:
07791 688240.
Ikea King Size Sprung Firm
Mattress seldom used £80.
Tel: 07791 688240.
King Size Slatted Bed Frame
modern £80. Tel: 07791
688240.
20 kitchen unit handles.
Straight D shaped stainless
steel 160mm. £40.
Tel: 01505 613033.
Beautiful lounge suite - 3
seater settee, 2 armchairs,
footstool. Designer furniture
- Piaf. Stylish chrome
frame, upholstery recovered
recently - chocolate
brown. Excellent condition
£250. Tel. 07986
118479.
Mirror - bevelled glass. 41
inches x 53 inches. Light
wooden frame. Excellent
condition. £70. Tel. 07986
118479.
Electrical & Gas
Washing Machine Hotpoint
white good condition. £80.
Tel: 07791 688240 BoW.
Frigidare Freezer Elite 6
Drawers. £75 ono. Tel:
01475 540624.
Whirlpool Fridge. £50 ono.
Tel: 01475 540624.
Bosch fridge. Integrated.
Frost free. Excellent cond.
£80. Tel: 07986 118479.
Bosch Dishwasher and
Washer/Dryer. £50 each.
Buyer uplifts. Tel: 01505
872597.
Sports
Ladies new white ice skating
boots. Size 5. Offers
for charity. Tel: 01505
506385.
Kids Apollo Bike (20”) - ideal
age 5-8. Exc cond, good as
new. Cost £120 sell for £25.
Tel: 01505 690658.
Vintage Raleigh gents Bikes
circa 1950-1970 sit up &
beg, rod brakes enclosed
chain guard Sturmey
Archer hub gears. Amazing
cond. £100 each. Tel:
07791 688240.
Toys/Games/DVD
Boys red raleigh scooter 12”
wheels good condition £25.
Tel: 01505 706855
Megablocks halo unsc rocket
warthog (boxed) £10. Tel:
01505 706855.
Megablocks halo covenant
wraith (boxed). £15. Tel:
01505 706855.
Megablocks halo covenant
phantom (boxed) £30. Tel:
01505 706855.
Lego technic buggy model
no 8048 (boxed) £20. Tel:
01505 706855.
Scrabble board game - still
wrapped Age 10+. £7. Tel:
01505 706855.
Minotaurus lego game £7.
Tel: 01505 706855.
Kids french for beginners
book with cd £5. Tel: 01505
706855.
Set 8 weird & wacky history
box set £5. Tel: 01505
706855.
Other Items
Apple I Phone 5 black in
Red Leather flip case EE
T Mobile Virgin. Good
working condition overall.
£135. Tel: 07791 688240.
Bridge of Weir.
Cast Iron Baxi Windermere
Stove Gas fired Coal burning.
Brand new never used.
£120. Tel: 07791 688240.
Jaguar XJ6 1980s car parts
for sale, exhaust, bumpers,
instruments & much more
offers when seen. Tel:
07791 688240.
Wanted Items
Old records Wanted 45`s
& LP`s CASH Paid. Tel:
07710 777571.
Cash paid for Music CDs ( a
few or a lot ). Tel: 0141 882
5594 or 07765 115347.
Yamaha DT 175 MX & DT
125 MX. Yamaha RD 250,
350 & 500 - running or not.
Cash waiting. Free collection.
Tel: 07951 227767.
Cash paid for Copy of book
Castles and mansions of
Renfrewshire and Buteshire
by AH Millar. Tel
01505 331094.
Black dining room table. Tel:
01505 506385.
Queen Anne style wingback
chair wanted - any condition.
Tel: 07909 337676
- please leave voicemail
with your contact details if
unanswered.
Free Cycle
3 stair gates. Tel: 01505
690610.
TV stand, beech colour, with
frosted glass shelves and 2
small drawers. Tel: 07904
792896.
Medium/large plastic dog
bed. Tel: 07904 792896.
you can contact us @GryffeAds using #Advertizer
or by email info@advertizer.co.uk or phone 01505 613340
LOCAL INFORMATION
community council
Visitors are welcome at these monthly meetings.
BISHOPTON: Primary School: 1st Thurs at 7.30pm
www.bishoptoncouncil.com
BRIDGE OF WEIR: Cargill Hall: 1st Tues at 7pm.
www.bridgeofweir.org
BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: 7.30pm
in February, April, June, August, October and
December on 2nd Thursday of the month.
HOUSTON: Carrick Centre: 3rd Wed at 7.30pm
www.houstoncommcouncil@yahoo.co.uk
HOWWOOD: Village Hall: 2nd Tues at 7.30pm.
www.howwood.com/community-council.php
KILBARCHAN: Steeple Hall: monthly at 7.30pm.
www.kilbarchan.info/community_council.html
KILMACOLM & QUARRIERS: Last Tues at 7.30pm,
Kilmacolm Cargill Centre (NB: No meetings: July or
Dec) www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk
LANGBANK: Church Hall: 2nd Wed at 7.30pm
LOCHWINNOCH: Parish Church: 1st Tues at 7.30pm
community halls to let
Bridge of Weir, Freeland Church. Tel: 612245
Brookfield, Village Hall. Tel: 335562.
Houston, Carrick Centre. Tel: 612203 / 331488
Houston, Compass Centre. Tel: 615441 / 612617
Kilbarchan, Guide Centre. Tel: 702758.
Kilbarchan, Old Library Centre. Tel: 706070
Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 873994
Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Tel: 874428
Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 873059
Linwood Masonic Hall. Tel: 07825 222944
ADVERTISING
sales & wants ad rates:
UP TO £200 ....... FREE
£201 to £500 ..... £5.00
£501 to £1000 ... £10.00
OVER £1000 ..... Call for details.
Use our Sales & Wants form and post to
The Gryffe Advertizer, Neva Place, Bridge
of Weir, PA11 3PN.
or email your items to info@advertizer.co.uk
The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977
NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS
The Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in the course
of a business MUST include the word Trader, Dealer, Agent,
Breeder or appropriate wording in the Advertisement to
distinguish from private advertisers.
Please add your community hall details to our list -
email to info@advertizer.co.uk
local councillors
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Ward 7 - Johnstone South, Elderslie & Howwood: Cllrs
John Caldwell, John Hood, Stephen McGee and
Iain McMillan
Ward 8 - Johnstone (North), Kilbarchan & Lochwinnoch:
Councillors Derek Bibby, Andy Doig and Christopher
Gilmour
Ward 9 - Houston, Crosslee, Brookfield & Linwood:
Councillors Stuart Clark, Audrey Doig, Anne Hall
and Allan Noon
Ward 10 - Bishopton, Bridge of Weir & Langbank:
Councillors Maria Brown, Mike Holmes and James
Maclaren
INVERCLYDE COUNCIL: www.inverclyde.gov.uk
Ward 1 - Inverclyde East (P.Glasgow, Kilmacolm and
Quarriers Village): Cllrs David Wilson, Jim MacLeod,
Stephen McCabe and James McColgan

www.advertizer.co.uk february 2016
55 55
Accountants & Financial
Affluent Financial Planning . . 25
Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 14
Stewart Independent Financial . . 1
Architectural Services
Architectural Drawings . . . . . 16
Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7
Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Art, Gifts & Flowers
Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3
Automotive Services
AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1
Chips Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 29
Bathrooms
Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7
CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6
Bedrooms
Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12
Blacksmith & Metalwork
McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21
Building Services
A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5
B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 4
BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6
DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2
JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15
M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3
MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4
Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45
Business Services
Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 28
Catering
Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 16
Cleaning & PowerWash
CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14
Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15
MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk
Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 33
Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5
Quick Drain Clear . . . . . . . . . 12
Coffee Shops
Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 30
Computer, IT & Web
ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1
Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 28
Driveways
A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Driving Instructors
Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 15
Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7
Education
St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47
Electricians
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3
MAS Electrical & Security . . 2
Equestrian
Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9
never miss an issue again!
visit www.advertizer.co.uk or
http://free.yudu.com/library/18833/Gryffe-Advertizer-issues
http://issuu.com/gryffeadvertizer/docs
by category
Fencing
Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21
Firewood & Logs
LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 37
The Firewood Barn . . . . . . . . . 7
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Framing
Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3
Funeral Services
Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 10
John Roach Funeral Directors . . 21
Garage Doors & Gates
Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Garden Service & Design
3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 40
A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 42
Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 40
Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7
Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 41
Crawford Landscapes . . . . . . . . 40
DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 41
Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 42
I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2
MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 41
SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41
West of Scotland Landscape . . 42
Gas & Heating Services
A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 16
C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12
JBM Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 3
Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 15
Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1
Glazier
1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3
Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5
JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15
TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Hairdressers & Barbers
Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 32
Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 34
BeardyBeardy Grooming Co . . . 33
JR’s Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . 3
Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 34
Health & Beauty
Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9
Health, Beauty & Fitness
Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 32
Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 34
Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 51
Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 11
Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 6
Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 39
Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13
LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Lauras Nail & Beauty Lounge . . 32
Margaret Lyons Hypnotherapy . . 35
NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 7
Skinny Minnies . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 32
Home Hardware
First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 31
Home Improvements
Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7
CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 38
Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 19
Home Interiors
Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5
Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12
Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 33
The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 7
Home Security
Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 21
Joiners
CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 5
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2
JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6
JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3
McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4
TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 16
Kilt & Dress Hire
Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 5
Kitchens
Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7
Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12
CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6
JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4
Leisure & Recreation
Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 49
Locksmiths
Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3
Painters & Decorators
A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 16
David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3
Ian Livingston Decorating . . 14
James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3
John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 36
John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
McDonald Decorators . . . . . . . . 34
Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Pet Services & Training
Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Happy Rambles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 23
The Pet Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Plasterers
Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 36
Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 7
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15
Plumbers
A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 16
C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6
G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12
JBM Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 3
JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 15
Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Property, Sales & Let
Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1
Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Removals
@ease Removals & Transport . . 21
The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Restaurant & Bars
Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 30
Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9
Retail
Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 31
Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 31
The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 7
Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 9
Roofing
Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6
Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 36
Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15
I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15
MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15
Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45
Solicitors
Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3
Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1
Special Occasions
ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Taxis & Minicoach hire
ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 39
Tiling
G J Tiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14
Kerr McAuley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Travel Agents
Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Tree Surgeon
Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 42
LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41
TV & Satellite
Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 37
Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3
Upholstery Services
P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 36
Window Cleaners
DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14
Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15
Window, Consv & Repair
1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3
Art Window & Doors . . . . . . . . . Bk
JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15
TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole
or in part without written
permission is strictly
prohibited. The Gryffe
Advertizer cannot be held
responsible for unsolicited
materials. The views and
opinions by contributors
in this magazine may
not represent the views
of the publishers. The
Gryffe Advertizer takes no
responsibility for claims made
by advertisements in this
publication.
Advertizers - A to Z
@ease Removals & Transport . . 21
1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3
3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 40
A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 16
A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5
A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 42
A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 16
ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3
Affluent Financial Planning . . 25
Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7
AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1
Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 31
Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 15
Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 40
Architectural Drawings . . . . . 16
Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 32
Art Window & Doors . . . . . . . . . Bk
Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 34
B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 4
Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5
BeardyBeardy Grooming Co . . . 33
Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 51
Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 30
Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 11
Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6
Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 21
Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 36
Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 12
C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 6
Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7
Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 7
Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chips Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5
ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1
Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3
Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 41
Crawford Landscapes . . . . . . . . 40
CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3
Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 37
DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 5
DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 41
DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 14
Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 6
Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 14
First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 15
G J Tiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6
Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 41
GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . . 31
Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 42
Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14
Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 29
Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15
Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Happy Rambles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 5
Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3
contact us
I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2
I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12
Ian Livingston Decorating . . 14
Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 38
Ingliston Equestrian Centre . . 9
James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 2
James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3
JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 15
JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6
JBM Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 3
JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 36
John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
John Roach Funeral Directors . . 21
Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 39
JR’s Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . 3
Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 16
Kerr McAuley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3
Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 39
Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13
Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15
Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1
Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3
Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 28
LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Lauras Nail & Beauty Lounge . . 32
Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3
M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 15
Margaret Lyons Hypnotherapy . . 35
MAS Electrical & Security . . 2
MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk
MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
McDonald Decorators . . . . . . . . 34
McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 14
McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 21
Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 37
MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 34
NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 7
Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 33
Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 19
P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 36
Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7
PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1
Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5
Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk
Quick Drain Clear . . . . . . . . . 12
R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 41
Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Skinny Minnies . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 23
SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2
Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 32
SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47
Stewart Independent Financial . . 1
Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 49
SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 15
Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 4
TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Firewood Barn . . . . . . . . . 7
The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 7
The Pet Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45
Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3
W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 41
West of Scotland Landscape . . 42
Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 9
Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 16
The Gryffe Advertizer
Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN
t: 01505 613340 or e: info@advertizer.co.uk
For more information please call us on 01505 613340
or check our website at www.advertizer.co.uk
Next Issue: (#258) March ‘16
Deadline: Friday 12th February

56
t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
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