254 November 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

November 2015 No.254 

FREE 

COPY 

1 

Distributed to: 

• Bishopton 

• Bridge of Weir 

• Brookfield 

• Elderslie 

• Houston 

• Howwood 

• Kilbarchan 

• Kilmacolm 

• Langbank 

• Lochwinnoch 

• Quarriers 

FOLLOW US 

GryffeAds 

Fireworks at The Erskine Bridge by Andy Stark, The Studio, Bridge of Weir 

Gryffe 

ADVERTIZER 

your LOCAL community magazine November 2015 No. 254 

PLEASE TAKE A FREE COPY OF YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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

EXPERT GUTTER CLEANING 

Nutech Cleaning are proud to announce their latest service of 

gutter cleaning with a vacuum cleaner! This new system is a 

more effective and safer alternative to working from a ladder and 

removes the dangers associated with ladder work. This system 

is ideal for gutters over conservatories that would normally be 

inaccessible and is suitable for flats up to three storeys high. 

The consequences of leaving gutters blocked can be dire with 

the possibility of extensive water damage leading to repair bills 

running into thousands of pounds. 

Give us a call now for a free quote - 01505 863 863.

www.advertizer.co.uk november 2015 

3 3 

looking for 

someone 

local? 

advertizer.co.uk/clients


This Month 

November is packed with Fireworks, Festivals, Fetes, Family Fun, 

Fantastic Christmas lights and Funny pantomimes. It’s amazing just how 

much goes on in such a small area. What a Fantastic community! 

We celebrate Bonfire Night with Glasgow Green Fireworks on Wednesday 

4th November, followed by Knapps Bonfire & Fireworks, Paisley Fireworks 

Spectacular and Bishopton Fireworks Display which are all on Saturday 

7th November. 

There are lots of festive light switch-ons - Paisley Xmas Lights are on 

Saturday 14th November, Johnstone Xmas Lights on Saturday 21st 

November, Renfrew and Linwood Xmas Lights both on Saturday 28th 

November, and Bridge of Weir Christmas Lights on Thursday 3rd 

December. 

The annual Santa Sleigh will be visiting the following areas in December 

and we have a full list of routes on p22. 

• Houston from Tuesday 1st to Monday 7th Dec. 

• Brookfield on Tuesday 8th Dec. 

• Kilmacolm (North) Wednesday 9th, (South) Thursday 10th Dec. 

• Quarriers on Saturday 12th Dec. 

• Bridge of Weir from Friday 11th to Wednesday 16th Dec. 

Please support this wonderful event as all the money raised goes to the 

groups involved on the evening - a host of volunteers giving up their time 

to raise funds. 

And don’t forget all our local pantos which are great fun and highly 

entertaining! So if you haven’t been to one yet, this is your last chance 

to get tickets! Check our ‘What’s On’ listings for details of all these local 

events - there’s plenty going on for all tastes. 

Although it seems a bit early to be thinking of Christmas, our next edition 

will be the last one for 2015. So if you want to be in the magazine, please 

get in touch well ahead of the deadline date of Friday 13th November. 

Rona 

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.255 December 2015 

Deadline: Fri 13 November 2015 

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 

what’s on..........................14-23 

dental blog.............................20 

business news.................26-27 

it blog..................................26 

local history..........................28 

financial blog.........................27 

on the road........................32-33 

pets...............................62-63 

pet blog...............................62 

village news.......................36-47 

outdoors..........................48-53 

photography hints & tips.........53 

sports & clubs news.............59-61 

sporting blog..........................61 

schools news.....................54-58 

business classified................64 

property classified.................65 

church listings....................65 

deadlines dates...................65 

sales & wants......................66 

advertiser directory................67 

Remembrance Sunday 

Remembrance Sunday is 8th November this year. The times of 

the Legion Parades are 9.15am for 9.30am in Houston, 12.30pm 

in Kilmacolm and 2.15pm for 2.30pm at Bridge of Weir (we will form 

up in the car park next to the Legion Clubhouse for the BoW parade). 

There is also a Reunion buffet dance at The Legion Club, Bridge of Weir 

on Fri 6th Nov at 7.30pm - the dancing will be to Sandy Cunningham. 

Tickets are £4 and can be obtained at the bar.


5 5


Interesting facts about fireworks 

The biggest occasion for fireworks in the UK is Guy Fawkes Night (5th November). 

It is a celebration of the failing of the Gunpowder Plot on 5 November 1605, an attempt to kill King James I at the Houses of Parliament. 

The biggest annual fireworks display in Europe is the International Festival concert in Edinburgh, where a million fireworks are set off in less than an hour. 

Dreaming about fireworks means that you like to be the centre of attention 

and are showing off to others. It also symbolizes enthusiasm and exhilaration. 

Queen Elizabeth created an honorary title, 

"Fire Master of England" for the individual who created the best fireworks. 

The largest chocolate firework was 3m high and 1.5m in diameter containing 60kg of Swiss Cailler chocolates and was released in Zurich on New Year's Eve 2002. 

The first fireworks were only orange and white. The Middle Ages created new colours by adding different salts. The hardest colour to create is blue. 

A rocket can reach speeds of 150mph, but the shell can reach as high as 200 metres. 

Half of all firework injuries are to children under the age of 16. 

Sparklers can be used to make funny pictures. All you need is a totally dark setting, a sparkler to draw with and a camera recording a long exposure. 

A sparkler burns at a temperature over 15 times the boiling point of water. Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blowtorch. 

When your sparkler goes out, put it in a bucket of water. 

Country Roads Campaign 

Last week in my ministerial capacity I joined Scotland Rugby 

international Stuart Hogg in launching a new campaign urging 

drivers to watch their speed on country roads and help reduce 

the number of fatalities. Last year along 755 were killed or 

seriously injured whilst driving on country roads, accounting 

for 55% of the fatal accidents on Scotland’s roads. The 

Scottish Government is committed to achieving safer road 

travel in Scotland for everyone. This campaign will encourage 

motorists to drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions. 

This new campaign is particularly targeted at young male 

drivers between 22-40, who research shows have a higher risk of being 

involved in a crash. I urge all road users in Renfrewshire to take care when 

driving, particularly on country roads, as you really never know what hazards 

are waiting for you around the corner. 

Flu Jab 

The national flu immunisation programme is now underway, and I want to 

encourage all those who are eligible to be ready for flu. The free vaccination 

will be offered to people with underlying health conditions, those who are 

pregnant or are older than 65, as flu can lead to serious complications which 

may need hospital treatment. This year will also see all parents of children aged 

2-5 targeted to encourage them to make an appointment with their GP if they 

want their child vaccinated, and I hoping this will lead to more people being 

vaccinated than ever before. So do not delay, make an appointment now and 

help beat the flu this winter. 

Glasgow Airport 

Last month Glasgow Airport was crowned the UK Airport of the Year 2015. As 

constituency MSP for the Airport, I have said on many occasions that the Airport 

is going from strength to strength, and with this award, as well as new routes 

to Canada and Eastern Europe announced last month the growing passenger 

numbers show no signs of dwindling. Glasgow Airport is a huge contributor 

to the local economy of Renfrewshire, not to mention a substantial employer. 

Therefore, it’s continued success must be welcomed by everyone across the 

area.


7 7 

BBC Children in Need’s 

vision is that every child in 

the UK has a safe, happy 

and secure childhood and 

the chance to reach their 

potential. With your help 

and generosity, we fund 

projects for disadvantaged 

children and young people across the UK. To find 

out about more about the work we do, and how your contributions can make a 

difference to children, visit our website at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk 

There are lots 

of ways to 

raise money 

for this great 

cause, including 

dressing up as 

your childhood 

hero - why not 

host a fancy dress 

party or a dress 

up day at your 

school? Visit the 

website to get 

your fundraising pack today. 

The appeal night will be on Friday 13th November. 

Fri 27 Nov to Sun 29 Nov at the 

SECC, Glasgow 

The ultimate celebration of all 

things fun, fabulous and female 

and it’s all under one roof. From the 

hottest fashion trends, latest beauty 

treatments and a cocktail hour that 

lasts all day long. Get tickets today 

from www.secc.co.uk 

SECC, Glasgow 

Fri 6 & Sat 7 Nov: 10am - 6pm 

Sun 8 Nov: 10am - 5.30pm 

Come and enjoy a great day out. The 

Show will be packed to the brim with 

first class entertainment from stars 

including Tom Kitchin, Mary Berry and 

James Martin, fine food and drink, 

dozens of stalls, great shopping, and 

plenty of inspiration – it really is the 

tastiest way to celebrate your love of 

good food! Get your tickets on the 

website - www.secc.co.uk 

Do you want the skills to 

help save a life?? 

British Heart Foundation, November - FREE. Lead by 

Lochwinnoch and Howwood Heart Start. We have more dates 

available for the FREE two hour course in 2015. 

Wednesday 25th November 2-4pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

Wednesday 25th November 7-9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

If you are inserted 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 • Suspected heart attack 

• Choking • Serious bleeding 

Dr Morag Thow


Kilmacolm war memorial by Kevin Toner 

Help us to Help you and yours 

Are you, a family member, or a neighbour struggling with bills, 

living in a leaky damp, cold, home that’s hard to keep warm? 

We can help. 

We do free home repairs and actions to improve the warmth 

and comfort at home for those who can’t afford it and need 

it most. 

We have already helped over 30 local people in our community 

with practical repairs and actions in their homes. Some examples include filling 

holes around doors and windows to cut out draughts, fixing and insulating leaky 

pipes, adding secondary glazing to single glazed windows to keep the heat in. 

Our energy team are experienced and reliable and we also work with local 

tradespersons. No job too small. 

If you or anyone you know might need help to make your home more cosy or 

make someone’s life easier please get in touch with us on 01505 612034, 

email: jen@myleapproject.org. All enquiries are as always treated in the strictest 

of confidence. 

Saks & Hart launch their gorgeous 

new Christmas range on Saturday 

31st October.... browse, shop 

and enjoy a glass of something 

bubbly! 

Specialising in country and period 

interiors, with a contemporary 

twist, Saks & Hart successfully 

mixes a whole range of styles, 

from rustic French farmhouse to 

Scottish shooting lodge. They have 

lots to make your home beautiful 

at Christmas, from furniture, 

lamps and mirrors, to silk 

flowers and stunning Christmas 

decorations that you will love. 

You’ll also find lots of fabulous 

gifts there, including beautiful 

faux fur huffs and scarves, handmade 

silver jewellery by Rosie Brown, and a new range of their own exquisitely 

scented candles, diffusers and room scents. 

Whilst you are there, why not enjoy a winter walk by the river and indulge in 

some delicious coffee and cake. Saks & Hart sits in a truly idyllic setting by 

the river, opposite Dalgarven Mill Museum and Coffee Shop. 

If you haven’t discovered Saks & Hart, it’s the perfect place for Christmas 

shopping, with free parking, and can be found just off the A737 between 

Kilwinning and Dalry. 

For more information about the shop or to shop on-line, visit their website 

www.saksandhart.com. Gift vouchers are also available. 

never miss an issue again! 

visit www.advertizer.co.uk or 

http://free.yudu.com/library/18833/Gryffe-Advertizer-issues 

2015 Poppy Day 

“Mental Health – 

Getting Better” 

A local drama group will perform a play to illustrate the change in approaches 

to mental health. The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival will host 

the production called “Mental Health – Getting Better” as part of the 3 week 

programme of events celebrating mental health. 

The performance takes place over four short acts starting with the 1697 

Bargarran Witches through to the present day. 

Creative Director Cammy Fraser said: “The objective of the play is to raise 

awareness of mental health and to challenge some of the stigma which still 

exists around the subject.” He added “People experiencing mental ill health 

often remain one of the most socially excluded groups; we would like to change 

that.” 

The play’s actors are all local people, many of whom are building their selfesteem 

as a result. Patricia Tyrrell said “It’s given me a voice. Since I started 

acting my confidence has risen dramatically. Plus I’ve made new friends too.” 

This year’s festival is based around the theme of passion and includes people 

from disadvantaged and marginalised groups. 

“Mental Health – Getting Better” will be performed at 7.30pm at Paisley Abbey 

on November 6th. Tickets are £5/3 and can be purchased on the door. 

For more information about the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival visit 

mhfestival.com. 

Remembrance Sunday will be on 8th November this year. 

Help us give something back to the Armed Forces community 

who risk their lives for our nation. Donate now or find out about 

other ways to contribute at the website - www.britishlegion. 

org.uk 

Whether you help us as a 

Poppy Appeal Organiser 

and Collector, Caseworker, 

Visitor, Information Volunteer, 

Fundraiser or in another way, 

a little of your time makes a 

big difference. 

http://issuu.com/gryffeadvertizer/docs


9 9 

The Rucksack Project 

Paisley Corps are running with the Rucksack Project 

this year. Will you consider filling a rucksack with basic 

essentials: e.g., hat and gloves, jacket, sleeping bag 

and thermos flask, which can then be distributed to 

people sleeping rough in the area? The rucksacks can 

be dropped off at the Salvation Army, Mill Street, Paisley 

between 12pm and 5pm on Saturday 14 November. If you 

have any questions please email susan.niven@ntlworld. 

com, or message via Facebook. 

Important Dates For Santa Sleigh Routes 2015 

HOUSTON 1st - 7th December 

BRIDGE OF WEIR 11th - 16th December 

Also... 

Brookfield 8th December Kilmacolm 9th & 10th December Quarriers 12th December 

Santa and his little helpers will also been making collections for charity: 

5th December Co-op store, Livery Walk, Bridge Of Weir 12th December Morrisons store, Johnstone


Calendar Launch Night 

Local Howwood photographer Caroline Stewart has 

produced a calendar in aid of Cancer Research 

UK. At a Hollywood themed launch night at the 

Normandy Hotel, Renfrew for 453 guests the 

calendar 

was revealed. 

18 brave men, woman and children 

took part on the calendar and 12 

of them are local to Renfrewshire. 

Every model in the calendar has had 

cancer or is still fighting this dreadful 

disease. 

The night was a huge success with 

raffles, an auction and £13,190.60 

was raised with the total going up 

daily with the sale of the calendars. 

You can purchase a calendar for 

£10 from www.facebook.com/ 

crcalendar2016 or by calling Caroline on 07585 447561 or mail on info@ 

carolinestewartphotography.co.uk

Please Give Blood 

Boglestone Community Centre, Dubbs 

Place, Port Glasgow 

Monday 9th November - 4pm -7.30pm 

Community Centre, Greenock Rd, 

Bishopton 

Friday 13th November - 4pm - 7.30pm 

The Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent, 

Bridge Of Weir 

Monday 14th December - 4pm - 7.30pm 

Linwood Sports Centre, Brediland Rd, 

Linwood 

Tuesday 15th December - 4pm - 7.30pm 

Kidston Hall, High St, Kilmacolm 

Wednesday 30th December - 4pm - 7.30pm 

You can also drop in to give blood at 8 

Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow. Call 

today to make an appointment on 0845 

90 90 999. 

Go on - the only think you’ll feel is good 

about yourself! 


Book yourself a chance to 

meet top authors 

BOOK fans are getting the chance to meet two of Scotland’s best-known 

authors when they make a personal appearance in local libraries. 

The free events - which are part of Book Week Scotland between November 

23 and 29 - feature broadcaster and writer, Lesley Riddoch and award-winning 

author, poet and playwright, Alan Spence. 

Organised by Renfrewshire Leisure, who now run arts and cultural services as 

well as sports and leisure centres locally, Alan Spence will discuss his writing 

and literary career at Johnstone Library, on Monday, 23rd November at 7pm 

and Lesley Riddoch will be at Linwood Library at 7pm, on Wednesday, 25th 

November. 

Alan Spence’s 

most recent 

books are the 

novel Night Boat, 

a poetry collection 

Morning Glory, 

with Elizabeth 

Blackadder and 

the play, No 

Nothing. 

This play, which 

has been 

performed in 

Glasgow and 

Aberdeen, 

imagines poet, 

Edwin Morgan 

and trade unionist Jimmy Reid meeting in the afterlife and discussing the 

meaning of life and post referendum Scotland. Alan will read and discuss 

extracts from the play and other new work. 

Lesley Riddoch will talk about her writing, particularly her recent book, Blossom, 

which is an outspoken analysis of Scotland’s problems and the country’s 

potential, Lesley will recount the views of ordinary Scots and draws on her own 

experience of life in Norway, Ireland, Iceland as well as Scotland. 

Elaine Finlay, Renfrewshire Libraries development co-ordinator said: “Book 

Week Scotland is about encouraging people of all ages and walks of life to 

enjoy the pleasures of reading books. 

“We want to encourage more people to read books and use the excellent 

services we have in the network of libraries in Renfrewshire. 

“We’re bringing two big names of Scottish writing to our local libraries and I 

hope lots of people will take the chance to come along and meet these talented 

authors and ask the questions they always wanted to ask them.” 

To book a place at these events, call Renfrewshire Libraries on 033 300 

1188. 

Dinner & Dance 

Every Saturday night from 8pm - 11pm at Willow 

Bank Hotel, 96 Greenock Road, Largs. Booking 

essential. Call 01475 675435 for further 

information. 

11 11


Glasgow 

Santa Dash 15 

Festive Friends 

Purple Party 

Johnstone 

Saturday 21 November in Houstoun Sq 

This is a free event. 

Join us in the centre of Johnstone for an 

afternoon of festive family fun before the town’s 

Christmas lights are switched on. 

Expect an afternoon of live entertainment 

on the main stage in Houstoun Square, 

before the big switch-on at the end 

of the day. 

Paisley 

Saturday 14th November 12pm - 6pm 

Paisley Town Centre. 


The afternoon-long festive funfest will take place from 

noon until 6pm, with reigning X Factor champion Ben 

Haenow headlining the main stage in Gauze Street, 

before switching on the town’s lights. 

He will be joined on the main stage by children’s 

favourites Funbox (formerly The Singing 

Kettle) and by Clyde 1 DJs, with a funfair 

and lots of other entertainment 

around the town. 

Renfrew 

Saturday 28 November at Renfrew 

Town Hall and town centre. 


Renfrew gets the chance to enjoy the seasonal 

spotlight when the town’s Christmas Lights are 

switched on. 

Expect a full afternoon of family fun in and 

around the town hall, with a fireworks 

finale to mark the big switch-on. 

Linwood 

Bridge 

of Weir 

Thursday 3rd December 

Bridge of Weir Village 

Centre 

Saturday the 28th November 

3.30pm Clippens Road Roundabout 

Our annual Christmas Light switch on is back! 

Come along and enjoy a day of festive family 

fun starting off at 3.30pm with Santa’s 

parade, followed by entertainment from 

local talent before the big switch-on at 

6.30pm. 

Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch on takes place on Sunday 15 November at George Square. 

Please note this is a ticketed event and there are no tickets left for this event! 

Last year’s Santa Dash raised 

£32,000 for its two nominated 

charities - the Prince and Princess of 

Wales Hospice and the Sunday Mail 

Centenary Fund. 

The annual 5k fun run saw more than 

5500 people take to the streets in a 

Santa suit and beard - all in the name 

of charity. 

The Santa Dash has raised more than 

£100,000 for various charities since 

it ‘hit the streets’ in 2006 and is now 

a firm favourite in the city’s events 

calendar. 

This year, the Glasgow Santa Dash 

will be on Sunday 6th December at 

George Square, Glasgow at 9.30am. 

The 2015 nominated charity is: 

Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice 

in Glasgow. 

Register online and print off a sponsor 

form for Santa Dash 2015 at http:// 

www.glasgow.gov.uk/santadash 

Christmas 

Fayre 

In aid of the 

charity ‘Bloodwise’ on Saturday 

November 28th from 11am - 2pm in 

The Couper Institute, 84 Clarkston 

Road, Glasgow, G44 3DA. All 

welcome. 

Friday 13 November at 7pm in the 

Normandy Hotel, Renfrew. £35 a 

ticket or discount on table of 10. 

Are you or your friends planning your 

Christmas night out? Are your work 

looking for some festive fun whilst 

supporting Alzheimer Scotland? 

Whether you are a Dementia Friend 

or looking to have Fun Fundraising 

why not join us for an evening of 

entertainment that includes live 

music from ‘The Collective’, dance 

from ‘Dance with Suraya’, a drinks 

reception, 3 course meal, Christmas 

shopping market, Instant photo 

booth ‘The LED CUBE’, Festive Fun 

& Games all compered by Actor and 

Musician ‘Tom Urie’! 

Email: boriordan@alzscot.org for 

further information. 

Friday 6 Nov at 9.30am 

Amaretto Ristorante & Pizzeria, 

60 Main Street, Bridge of Weir 

Weir Networking is a Business 

Networking Group for local businesses 

to get together and make contact. To 

date we have enjoyed very interesting 

talks from 

business 

people such as 

Tom Kennett of 

Tom Kennett 

Watches, 

Maureen 

Horton of Travel a la Carte and 

award winning Journalist and BAFTA 

winner Sam Poling. Come along and 

join us for breakfast and a chat. All 

businesses welcome. Just £5 per 

person.


13 13


November 

events 

Sat 31 October 


Saks & Hart Christmas Launch 

Dalgarven Mill, Kilwinning, KA13 6PL 

Browse, shop and enjoy a glass of something 

bubbly! See our main advert on page 8. 

Until Sat 31 October 

Make A Will Fortnight 

Kingsley Wood, Solicitors in Bridge of 

Weir & Kilmacolm 

Kingsley Wood offer the community a chance to 

have a simple Will drawn up free of charge. See 

main article in ‘Business’ section of this issue. 

LEAP’s Big Energy Saving Week 

Nationwide 

Sign up for the Green Homes Tour and other events 

this week. For details call 01505 842530, visit 

www.myleapproject.org or like us on Facebook 

Fri 30 October 

Fright Night @ RSPB 

Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 6.15pm to 9pm 

Tours every 20min hour, starting 6:20pm & last 

tour leaving at 8:20pm. Booking essential, as 

space is limited. Cost: £5 (RSPB members £3). 

Tel. 01505 842 663. 


One World Celebration 

Royal British Legion, Livery Walk, Bridge 

of Weir 10.30am to 2pm 

Browse and buy from a range of fairly traded and 

ethical goods, including Rainbow Turtle, Olive 

Tree and Phantasanja. Learn more about LEAP 

and support Brighter Bridge of Weir. Enjoy a cup 

of Fairtrade tea or coffee and homebaking or a 

bowl of delicious soup. 

Bogles and Spooky Crafts 

The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees Bridge, 

Greenock 1pm to 3pm 

Make your very own traditional Scottish Bogle and 

other creepy crafts to take home in preparation 

for Halloween Night. Cost £5 per child, Adult 

helpers Free. More info from 01475 529 543 

booking essential. 

Swan Chat 

Castle Semple Sailing Club 2pm to 3pm 

There’s more to our swans than eating bread and 

chips by the lochshore…..drop in at anytime to find 

out more! Tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20. 

Hessilhead Visit 

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 

12noon to 3pm Free Entry 

Come and learn about the wonderful work done by 

the local Hessilhead Wildlife Hospital. Meet some 

of their patients and hear about the different 

things the staff deal with. Tel. 01505 842 663. 

Sat 31 Oct - Sun 1 Nov 

Binocular & Telescope Open Day 


10am to 4pm 

Come and peruse a range of telescopes and 

binoculars. Cost: FREE. For further information 

and booking, please contact the reserve: Email: 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk or tel. 01505 842 

663. 

Sun 1 November 

A Sketch, a Sandwich & a Swally 

Carrick Centre, Main St, Houston 7pm 

Performing a one-act play “A Wake For Donald” 

by local writer Evelyn Hood. Tickets £10 including 

a wrap and drink available from Bobbins or Bill 

Walker 01505 612262. 

Early Bird Xmas Gift & Craft Fair 

Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 

1pm to 4pm 

There will be a variety of stalls to suit every need; 

from local artists, beaded and silver jewellery, 

knitted gifts, cushions, cakes and much more. 

Entry includes Tea and Coffee: Adults £1.50 

Children £0.50 

Mon 2 - Sun 8 Nov 

Furniture Barn Christmas Preview 

Furniture Barn, Midgavin, Howwood 

Contact Lorna for further information on 

01505 842527 or 07767 498433. www. 

furniturebarnscotland.co.uk 

Tue 3 November 

MND Scotland Xmas Card Sale 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, 

Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 

10am to 12.30pm 

Sale of MND (motor neurone disease) Christmas 

Cards. Come along and buy your cards whilst 

raising money for a worth while cause. 

Wed 4 November 

Glasgow Green Fireworks 

Glasgow Green, Greendyke St, Glasgow 

From 4pm. The free fireworks display is on from 

7.30pm. The event closes at 9pm. . 

Thu 5 November 

OUTLOOK - Creation of a Rock 

Choir 

Kidston Hall, High St, Kilmacolm 2pm 

We look forward to welcoming Jennifer Sim, 

leader of the Kilmacolm Rock Choir. Maybe a few 

members of the choir will come along too! Plus 

afternoon tea, chat, and community issues for 

discussion. Everyone welcome. 

Fri 6 November 

Weir Networking Group 

Amaretto Ristorante and Pizzeria, 60 

Main Street, Bridge of Weir 9.30am 

Local business networking group. All businesses 

welcome. Come for breakfast. £5. 

RSPB Local Group 

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, 

Renfrew 7.30pm 

There will be an illustrated talk entitled Shotguns 

and Short-toed Eagles - Birding in Malta by Ian 

Thompson. All welcome. 

RAMH - Mental Health – Getting 

Better 

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close 7.30pm 

This year’s festival is based around the theme of 

passion and includes people from disadvantaged 

and marginalised groups. Tickets are £5/3 

and can be purchased on the door. For more 

information about the Scottish Mental Health Arts 

& Film Festival visit mhfestival.com 

Fri 6 - Sun 8 Nov 

BBC Good Food Show Scotland 

SECC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow 

Fri & Sat: 10am - 6pm - Sun: 10am - 5.30pm First 

class entertainment from stars including Tom 

Kitchin, Mary Berry and James Martin, fine food 

and drink, dozens of stalls, great shopping, and 

plenty of inspiration. Visit www.secc.co.uk


15 15 

Sat 7 November 




Knapps Bonfire & Fireworks 

Knapps Loch - Kilmacolm From 4.30pm 

Courtesy of Lord Maclay and Robert Baxter. 

Catering by Duchal, St Columba & Kidston 

Nurseries. Bonfire lit 6pm followed by fireworks. 

Paisley Fireworks Spectacular 

Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley 

12pm to 6pm 

Expect a full afternoon of family entertainment 

on the main stage leading up to the spectacular 

fireworks finale at the end of the day. FREE 

Bishopton Fireworks Display 

ROF Car Park, Station Rd, Bishopton 

7pm 

A community event for the people of our 

community. £2 per person, under 5’s free. Food 

and drinks will be available. 

The ‘Fall Ball’ Ceilidh 

McKillop Hall, Main St, Lochwinnoch 

8pm to 12.30am 

Entertainment by the White Cart Ceilidh Band. 

Tickets £8.50. Tickets from Calder Gallery & Cafe 

Cucina Minucci, The Junction, Lochwinnoch. 

Pre Christmas Craft Fair 


12pm to 4pm 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Outreach event. 

Free tea and coffee. Knitting, sewing, jewellery, 

pottery, handmade felt, flowers, pictures, prints, 

glassware, crystals, wood, gifts and more. 

Sale Of Art And Crafts 

Guide Centre, Barn Green, Kilbarchan 

11am to 2pm Free Entry 

This is a great opportunity to buy original art works 

and hand made crafts for a bargain price. Come 

along early and find the perfect gift for Christmas, 

birthday or a treat for yourself. 

Green Woodworking 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip 

Road, Lochwinnoch 1pm to 3pm 

Turn and work wood like they did in the days of 

the Sempills in the ancestral clan home. Drop in 

or stay and make something to take home! For 

more info call 01505 842 882 Ex 20 booking 

essential 

Wildlife Explorers Event - 

Swan Ringing 


Road, Lochwinnoch 10am to 12noon 

Booking essential. Cost: £3 / £2 RSPB members 

(adults go free). For further information and 

booking, contact the reserve: Email: lochwinnoch@ 

rspb.org.uk or call 01505 842 663. 

Coffee Morning and Xmas Fayre 

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 

9.45am to 11.45am 

By Kilmacolm Friends of Ardgowan Hospice. Home 

baking, cards and gift stalls. 

Friends of Ardardan Day 

Ardardan Estate, Cardross, Dumbarton 

10% off purchases & orders placed on the day 

for Friends of Ardardan Cardholders. See main 

advert on page 23. 

Remembrance Sunday 

Nationwide 

Donate now or find out about other ways to 

contribute at the website - www.britishlegion. 

org.uk 

Mon 9 November 

St Mary’s Concert 

St Mary’s Church, Johnstone Rd, Bridge 

of Weir 7.30pm 

Concert given by the Russian Choir Voskresenije. 

They will sing a varied programme of sacred music 

and Russian folk songs. Tickets £10 including 

wine, soft drinks and savouries. The Car Park is 

opposite the Church. 

Mon 9 - Fri 13 Nov 

St Columba Open Week 

St Columba’s School, Duchal Rd, 

Kilmacolm 

An ideal opportunity to see what St Columba’s has 

to offer, although taster sessions can be arranged 

throughout the school year. To find out more and 

reserve your space go to st-columbas.org or call 

01505 872238. 


Ladies’ Evening 

East Church, Church St, Kilbarchan 

7.30pm 

Caroline from the Twisted Willow florists will give 

a demonstration of Christmas arrangements and 

also bring along a selection of gifts. Alongside 

will be Christmas cards and gifts from the Prince 

and Princess of Wales Hospice shop. Donation 

tickets are £3, including refreshments and 

home-baking. 

Community Tea Dance 

Sommerville Weir Hall, Quarriers Faith 

Avenue Quarriers Village 10am to 4pm 

With music by ‘The Ragtime Dolls’. Tickets only 

£2. Tel: 01505 614350. 

Planning For The Future - 

Legal Advice Event 

Howwood Village Hall, Johnstone, PA9 

1BB 7pm to 8.30pm 

Kingsley Wood & Co are continuing their series 

of free presentations dealing with subjects such 

as Protecting your Assets, Powers of Attorney and 

Wills these short seminars are packed with useful 

information on these key areas. 


Kilbarchan Lantern Parade 

Kilbarchan Community Nursery, 

Meadside Avenue, Kilbarchan 6.30pm 

Join us for a magical walk in the village, lit by the 

children’s homemade lanterns. Family tickets are 

£5 and include hot chocolate, soup and sweet 

treats. Lanterns can be purchased on the night. 

Children in Need Appeal Night 

There are lots of ways to raise money for this great 

cause, including dressing up as your childhood 

hero. Visit the website to see how to donate - www. 

bbcchildreninneed.co.uk 

Festive Friends Purple Party 

Normandy Hotel, Renfrew 7pm 

Supporting Alzheimer Scotland? £35 per ticket, 

discount for 10. Email: boriordan@alzscot.org for 

further information.



from Mon 16 Nov 


Thu 26 - Sat 28 Nov 

Quarriers Christmas Fayre 

Community Centre, Lochwinnoch Rd, 

Kilmacolm 10am to 2pm 

50 stalls over 3 floors! Santas grotto, face 

painting, kids zone and a selection of festive stalls. 

Take a break and have a cuppa in our Pop-up cafe 

(inc in the ticket price). £2.50 adults, children 

£1.50, £6 for family ticket (2+2). Call 01505 

616054 for more details 

Kirk Cafe 

Lochwinnoch Parish Church 

10am to 12noon 

Join us for the/coffee, scones, pancakes and 

cakes Entry £2.50. Children free 

Paisley Xmas Lights Switch On 

Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley 

12pm to 6pm 

Expect a full day of festive family fun in the town 

centre - starting off at noon with the traditional 

Santa parade and followed by a full day of bigname 

entertainment on the main stage before 

the big switch-on at 6pm. 

The Rucksack Project 

Salvation Army, Mill Street, Paisley 

12pm to 5pm 

Will you consider filling a rucksack with basic 

essentials: e.g., hat and gloves, jacket, sleeping 

bag and thermos flask, which can then be 

distributed to people sleeping rough in the area? 

Email: susan.niven@ntlworld.com, or message 

via Facebook. 


Habbie Tat 

Performing Arts Centre, Steeple Square, 

Kilbarchan 12noon to 4pm 

Come along and see what collectables you can 

find. We will be serving teas, coffee and home 

baking. Tel: 01505 706346 to book a stall. 

Pre-Christmas Painting Sale 

The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of Weir 

There is going to be a selection of original 

paintings and prints from only £10, you could give 

an ‘original’ gift this Xmas. 


Kilmacolm Horticultural Soc AGM 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, 

Lochwinnoch Rd, Kilmacolm 7.30pm 

Following the business meeting and light 

refreshments, a film of the Chelsea Flower Show 

2015 will be shown. Please come to hear more 

about us or phone Jill Russell on 01505 872393 

for membership. 


GSC’s Christmas Fayre 

Good Shepherd Centre Greenock Road, 

Bishopton PA7 5PW 11am to 2pm 

The stalls are made up from all the effort and hard 

work of our young people, staff, high schools in 

our local area and local community! The Stalls will 

range from: Festive Gifts, Bake Sale, Arts & Crafts, 

Food Stall, Reiki and even more!! 

OUTLOOK - Driving Awareness Day 

Kidston Hall, High St, Kilmacolm 2pm 

We will hear from Robert Jaconelli, an advanced 

driving instructor, with stories and advice on 

today’s modern motoring methods. Maybe a few 

members of the choir will come along too! Plus 

afternoon tea, chat, and community issues for 

discussion. Everyone welcome. 


Stargazing Evening 

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Calder 

Glen Road, Lochwinnoch 7pm to 9pm 

Look out for satellites, constellations and other 

phenomena at Renfrewshire’s darkest sky! Please 

note this is the last event of the year, rescheduled 

from December. For more info call 01505 842 

882 Ex 20 booking essential 

Astronomy Evening 


8pm to 9.30pm 

The speakers will be from the Astronomical 

Society of Glasgow. Please book, as places are 

limited and due to the popularity of this event. 

Cost: Adults £5 (RSPB members £3); Children £3 

(RSPB members £2). Email: lochwinnoch@rspb. 

org.uk or call 01505 842 663. 


MacBraveheart by FairPley 

Carrick Centre, Main St, Houston 7.30pm 

“Hilarious, Go if you want a belly laugh”. www. 

fairpley.com. Tickets from www.houstonmacb. 

eventbrite.com. £13.50 

Johnstone Xmas Lights Switch On 

Johnstone Town Centre 

Expect an afternoon of live entertainment on the 

main stage in Houstoun Square, before the big 

switch-on at the end of the day. 

Calder Church Christmas Fayre 


10am to 12noon 

Stalls include- Home baking, arts and crafts, 

jewellery, toys, lucky dip, gifts, cards & wrap and 

lots more. Adults £2, Children free, incl tea/coffee 

and Christmas goodies. 

Bishopton Art Group’s Christmas 

Art & Craft Fair 

Community Centre, Gledstane Rd, 

Bishopton 10am to 3pm 

Art & Crafts for sale. Tea, coffee and delicious 

home baking will be available. Free entry. 

Christmas At Wild Rose 

Wild Rose Florists, Ardgowan Place, 

Kilmacolm - All day 

Join us for fizz and mince pies. Pre-order selected 

wreaths and table decorations for Christmas and 

receive a 10% discount. 

Sun 22 Nov - Sat 19 Dec 

103rd Annual Exhibition & Sale 

by Paisley Artists 

Paisley Museum 

Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 4pm, 

Sunday 2pm - 5pm, Closed Mondays. Free 

admission. www.paisleyartists.com 

Mon 23 November 

Decorus Beauty Evening 

Kilmacolm Community Centre 

Call the Salon on 01505 873636 for a ticket. See 

main advert on page 42 of this issue. 


Planning For The Future - 

Legal Advice Event 


7pm to 8.30pm 

Kingsley Wood & Co are continuing their series 

of free presentations dealing with subjects such 

as Protecting your Assets, Powers of Attorney and 

Wills these short seminars are packed with useful 

information on these key areas. 


Bernie’s Cafe/Deli Grand Launch 

Neva Place, Bridge of Weir 

See main advert on page 41 of this issue. 

Christmas Fayre 

Gryffe High School, Houston 6.30-9pm 


Gibb Stuart Late Night Shopping 

Kilmacolm & Bridge of Weir, open till 

8pm - Special Discounts! 


KDS - Mother Goose 

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 

Tickets available from the Cross Cafe, Kilmacolm 

& Rosie on 01505 873088. Doors 7pm, show at 

7.30pm and an matinee on Saturday 28th (doors 

2pm, show 2.30pm). Tickets £10 adults and £8 

for children under 14. 

Agatha Crusty and the Village 

Hall Murders 

Kilbarchan East Church, Church St, 

Kilbarchan 7.30pm 

Tickets, £8, available from Bobbins or in the hall 

after each Sunday service. Don’t miss this. You 

might just die laughing. 

Fri 27 - Sun 29 Nov 

Girls’ Day Out 

SECC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow 

Get tickets today from www.secc.co.uk 



The Couper Institute, 84 Clarkston Road, 

Glasgow, G44 3DA 11am to 2pm 

In aid of the charity ‘Bloodwise’ All welcome. 

Swan Chat 


Road, Lochwinnoch 2pm to 3pm 

There’s more to our swans than eating bread and 

chips by the lochshore… Come along to Swan 

Chat to find out more! For more info call 01505 

842 882 Ex 20


17 17 


Renfrew Xmas Lights Switch On 

Renfrew Town Hall, Hairst St, Renfrew 

Expect a full afternoon of family fun in and around the town hall, 

with a fireworks finale to mark the big switch-on. 

Linwood Xmas Lights Switch-On 

Clippens Road Roundabout, Linwood From 3.30pm 

Santa’s Parade, followed by entertainment from local talent before 

the big switch on at 6.30pm 

Houston & Killellan Guild Victorian Xmas Market 

Houston & Killellan Kirk, Main St, Houston 

10.30am to 1pm 

There will be a wide variety of stalls. Tickets cost £2 adult and £1 for 

children to include tea/coffee and mincemeat pie. Hot rolls will also 

be on sale, come along and enjoy the Festive fun. Tickets available 

from guild members or you can pay at the door. 

Birds for Beginners 

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 11am to 1.30pm 

Please book, as places are limited. Cost: Adults £5 (RSPB members 

£3); Children £3 (RSPB members £2). For further information and 

booking, please contact the reserve: Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org. 

uk or call 01505 842 663. 

Abbey Nursery Christmas Fayre 

Abbey Nursery, South Street, Houston 10am-12.20pm 

Lots of wonderful festive stalls, great baking, a Christmas Grotto and 

lots of children’s activities. 

Sat 28 - Sun 29 November 

Binocular & Telescope Open Day 

RSPB, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch 10am to 4pm 

Cost: FREE. For further information and booking, please contact the 

reserve: Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk or call 01505 842 663. 

Sat 28 Nov - Sat 5 Dec 

Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Group Cinderella 

Johnstone Town Hall 7pm 

Evening shows, doors open 7pm, curtain up 7.30pm. Saturday 

matinees, doors open 1.30pm, curtain up 2pm. Tickets: 07748 827 

727. Ad £13, Conc £10, Family £40 


Bird Ringing Demonstration 

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Calder Glen Road, 

Lochwinnoch 1pm to 3pm 

The mist nests will be out to adorn any passing birds with some leg 

jewellery! Also known as ID rings to help track their movements. For 

more info call 01505 842 882 Ex 20 

Bishopton Sports & Social Club Xmas Event 

Bishopton Sports Club, Holmpark, 2pm to 5pm 

Books, confectionery, perfume, jewellery, tartan goods, cards etc. 

Entry £2 incl tea/coffee & cake. 

Thu 3 December 

Wreath Making Class 

Finlaystone Country Estate - Langbank 10am to 2pm 

Make your own wreath in time for Xmas. Made from moss, holly & 

yew from the estate. £12 includes materials. Pre booking essential. 

Call 01475 540505. 

Bridge of Weir Christmas Lights Switch On 

Bridge of Weir Village Centre 

Watch this space in the December issue for further details. 

Gibb Stuart Late Night Shopping 

Kilmacolm & Bridge of Weir, open till 8pm 

Special Discounts! See main advert on page 23 of this issue. 

Fri 4 December 

Cheese & Wine Evening 

Ardardan Estate - Cardross, Dumbarton, G82 5HD 

www.ardardan.co.uk Tel: 01389 849188 for further information. 


Sat 5 December 

Food Festival 

Ardardan Estate - Cardross, Dumbarton, G82 5HD 

www.ardardan.co.uk. Tel: 01389 849188 for further details.


every Monday 

3rd Friday monthly 

Lochwinnoch Community Walk 

The Cross, Lochwinnoch 10.30am 

This event will not take place on public holidays. 

every Tuesday 

Line Dancing 

Bishopton Primary School 6.30pm - 8.30pm 

Beginner/Improver class with all welcome. Call 

Mellissa on 07970 396212. 

every Wednesday 

Knitting Group 

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon 

Knitters of all levels welcome! 

every Thursday 

Weekly Volunteer Group 

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 

3.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers - adult group. Newcomers 

always welcome. 

every Saturday 


Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers 

always welcome. 

every Sunday 


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. 

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. 

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. 

regular updates 

@GryffeAds 

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 

Glasgow Green 

Wednesday 4th November 

Remember remember.... that 

Glasgow Fireworks returns to 

Glasgow Green on Wednesday 4th 

November. As usual, the event is 

free and open to all. 

Spectators are welcome on to the 

Green from 4pm, where they can 

buy a range of food and drink, 

and browse merchandise stalls. 

They can also enjoy a funfair from 

4.30pm. 

The free fireworks display is on 

from 7.30pm. 

The event closes at 9pm. 

ROF Car Park, Station 

Road, Bishopton 

Saturday 7th November, 7pm 

Please come and join us for our 

annual fireworks display. 

A community event for the people 

of our community. £2 per person, 

under 5’s free. 

Food and drinks will be available. 

Knapps Loch Kilmacolm. 

Saturday 7th November 

A fun-filled evening of excitement 

for all the family. Gates open 

4.30pm. Bonfire lit at 6pm followed 

by Fireworks Display. Entry cost 

£2 per head. Remember to leave 

plenty of time to walk out to the 

field as on-street parking nearby 

is limited. The event goes ahead 

whatever the weather! As this is 

a voluntary event, any assistance 

in building the bonfire or helping 

on the evening would be much 

appreciated. 

If you can help please contact 

Peter Kellock on 01505 872190 

or Lawrie Campbell on 01505 

873535. 

Paisley Town Centre 

Saturday 7th November 

From 12noon - Free Event 

Expect a full afternoon of family 

entertainment on the main stage 

leading up to the spectacular 

fireworks finale at the end of the 

day. See advert on page 10 of this 

issue.

Mirin Completed 

Her Sponsored 

Cycle 


Treat Your Floor For Christmas 

Winter is a time for relaxing in the comfort of your home with family and friends 

and Karndean is the perfect flooring choice for inviting households. 

With classic designs in wood, slate or stone effect you can relax knowing that 

you have a stunning floor covering that is also: 

• Hardwearing • Waterproof • Easily maintained 

Karndean adjusts to temperature and will be warm underfoot in winter. It 

does not require under floor heating, unlike ceramic tiles which can be cold 

underfoot. 

Many of the Karndean 

ranges come with over 

10-year guarantees and 

won’t scratch and chip like 

slate, or fade like hardwood 

flooring. Unlike carpets they 

do not harbour bacteria 

and soak up stains. 

Mirin recently learned to ride her bike and asked 

her dad if there was anyway riding that a bike 

could raise money which she could use to help 

her great gran, who has dementia. 

She decided to ride “really far” along the Howwood 

- Lochwinnoch cycle path (2.5mi / 4.0km) and get 

people to sponsor her. Although it was a very 

cold and foggy morning as she was waved off, and 

even though her hands were frozen (cos daddy 

forgot the gloves!) Mirin managed to cycle the 

whole way, meeting up with family and friends at the loch cafe for hot drinks. 

Mirin managed to raise in excess of a massive £350 for Alzheimer Scotland - 

Action on Dementia. 

Well done Mirin. 

Paisley Abbey Recitals 

12.30pm in Paisley Abbey 

Saturday 21 November - Nina Koppard (Soprano) with Mark 

Wilson (Violin) 

Saturday 19 December - Abbey Brass with John Wallace - 

Programme of Christmas Music 

Tickets £5 at the door. 

Paisley Abbey Church – Registered Charity No. SC007633 

We have over 15 

years’ experience 

in Karndean 

and provide a 

professional 

fitting service. 

We specialise in 

Karndean flooring 

and that means 

we do it well. All 

you need to do is 

sit back with your 

ideal winter drink 

and admire your 

stylish new floor. 

Why not give us a call and be on your way to a stunning floor from Orchard 

Flooring? 

You can contact Scott on 01505 229 584 or 07563 633 432 

E: sjmproducts@hotmail.com website- www.orchard-flooring.com 

19 19


Paisley Entertainment 

Aladdin Trouble 

Mairearad Green & Anna Massie 

Part of Inverclyde’s Scottish Folk and Roots Festival 

2015. Accordionist Mairearad Green is joined by multiinstrumentalist 

Anna Massie for a night of foot-tapping. 

Sunday 1 Nov, 7.30pm - £12.50 to £15. 

Dominic Kirwan and Mary Duff - Together 

in Concert 

A fabulous occasion, sure to be a hit, not only with their 

loyal fans but with lovers of music everywhere. So come and 

join Dominic and Mary for a night you won’t forget! – Book 

Now! 

Thursday 5 Nov, 7.30pm - £21. 

Skerryvore/Fred Morrison 

Skerryvore are 7 strong band of musicians who join the 

traditional instrumentation of accordion, fiddle, pipes and 

whistles with solid bass, drums and keyboards, overlain with 

exacting guitar and meaningful lyrics to give their unique 

sound. 

Friday 6 Nov, 7.30pm - £12.50 to £15. 

The Springsteen Sessions 

To the ‘True Springsteen Fan’ this will be journey that they’ll 

never want to end. So sit back and enjoy the pure sounds of 

Bruce Springsteen and the legendary E Street band via The 

Springsteen Sessions. 

Saturday 7 Nov, 7.30pm - £15. 

Fiddler’s Rally 

Clyde Coast Strathspey & Reel Society, with members 

from Inverclyde and North Ayrshire, has been delighting 

audiences for over 20 years. 

Sunday 8 Nov, 7.30pm - £8 to £10. 

Sister Act 

Trying to work her way to the top in 1970s Philadelphia, 

Deloris falls in love with a very tough gangster named Curtis, 

and when Deloris witnesses him commit a murder she ends 

up in hiding on police orders in a convent whose parish has 

fallen on hard times. 

Wed 11 Nov - Sat 14 Nov, 7.30pm every evening & 2.30pm on the Sat. - 

£13 to £18. 

Oliver Twist 

Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sikes, and the Artful Dodger - inhabit a 

world filled with images of danger and fear, innocence 

and hope; a world seen through the eyes of an astonished 

child. 

20 Nov - 21 Nov, nightly 7.30pm & 2.30pm Sat - £8 to £12. 

Jack and the Beanstalk 

Will Jack make it up the beanstalk? 

Will Dame Dot stop greetin’ about losing her coo? 

And just how big is this Giant? 

Find out in Greenock Players’ production of “Jack and the 

Beanstalk” – it’s gonnae be a Christmas Cracker! 

Friday 27 Nov - Saturday 5 Dec, nightly at 7.30pm & 2.30pm on the Sat - 

£8.75 to £10. 

BEACON ARTS CENTRE, CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY, GREENOCK, PA15 1HJ 

INFO@BEACONARTSCENTRE.CO.UK TELEPHONE: 01475 723723 

Wednesday 4 - Saturday 7 November, 7.30pm 

(2.30pm on Sat 7 Nov) 

Paisley Arts Centre £10 (£8 conc) + booking fee* 

A tale about good vs evil; magical lamps, three wishes, 

witty banter and of course, love conquering all. Come 

along and laugh and cheer at this rip roaring musical. 

Mad4Musicals 

Thursday 12 November, 7.30pm 

Paisley Town Hall £14 (£12 conc) + booking fee* 

Suitable for ages 12+ 

Bringing the sights and sounds of the West End and 

Broadway stage to you with the classic and contemporary 

hits from the world of the movies and musicals including 

Evita, Cats, Mamma Mia! and more recent shows such 

as Wicked, The Bodyguard, Ghost plus many more. 

Sleeping Beauty 

Thursday 26 November - Thursday 31 December 

Paisley Arts Centre Prices from £9.50 - £19 

A whole host of hilarious characters, fantastic original 

music, and the liveliest, most energetic chorus of young 

actors - this is one night out that none of the family will 

want to miss. 

For booking or further information, please call: 0300 300 1210 or book online at 

https://boxoffice.renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Dental Blog 

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner, 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice 

Your dentist might not be the first place you think of when it comes to 

Christmas but if you want to look your best for the festive period or are 

looking for a gift that is a little bit different then you might be pleasantly 

surprised. 

Most modern dentists offer teeth whitening services and you will find a wide 

range of prices on offer depending on the system. We have certainly found 

teeth whitening is becoming a much more popular gift for partners to buy 

for one another – especially in the lead up to a wedding. If you are buying 

teeth whitening as a gift it is important to bear in mind that each course is 

subject to an initial (usually free) consultation to ensure the treatment is 

suitable for the individual. 

Non-surgical facelifts, facial peels and Botox are also becoming an 

increasingly popular beauty treatments and, because of their specialist 

medical skills and training, many dentists now offer a range of aesthetic 

services. The most common are anti-wrinkle injections and facial 

rejuvenation services such as facial abrasion. Again, a consultation will be 

needed prior to any treatment. 

If you are looking for ideas for smaller gifts and stocking fillers at Christmas 

then the latest electric toothbrushes are always a firm favourite. At Kilbarchan 

Dental Practice we offer gift vouchers which are an ideal last minute gift 

perfect for our air polishing service at just £30. 

Dentists get very busy in the lead up 

to Christmas and opening times are 

restricted so don’t leave it until the 

last minute to book an appointment. 

For more information and advice 

call Kilbarchan Dental Practice 

on 01505 704969 or click www. 

kilbarchandental.co.uk where you’ll 

find lots more free tips.


21 21


Santa Sleigh Routes 2015 

HOUSTON 1st - 7th DECEMBER 

Tuesday 1st: South Mound, Glenartney, St Fillans Dr, Manse Cres, Hagart Rd, 

Spiers Rd, Glebe Gdns, Four Windings, South St, North St, Fleming Road, 

Burnlea Cres, Houstonfield Quad, Houstonfield Rd, Kirk Rd, Kilmacolm Rd, 

Fields Lane, Cricketfield Lane, Old School House Lane, Barochan Rd. 

Wednesday 2nd: Crosslee Cres, Leeburn Ave, Craigholme Woodside, The 

Beeches, Birch Grove, Riverside, Broomfield, The Meadows, Brackendene, 

Crossways, Neuk Cres, Neuk Ave. 

Thursday 3rd: Crosslee Park, Dunnet Dr, Whirlie Rd, Back o’Hill, Strawberry 

Fields, Whirlie Dr, Pine Grove, Mill Brae, Crosslee Gardens, Brierie Hills Court 

and Road, Brierie Lane and Gdns, Goldenlee View, Brierie Hill Grove, 

Earlsgate, Brierie Ave. 

Friday 4th: Leman Dr and Grove, Alwyn Ave, Bream Place, Viking Cres, 

Cormorant Ave, Forties Rd, Claymore Dr, Piper Rd and Ave, Ninian Ave, 

Brent Cres, Murchison Rd, Hutton Ave, Hewett Cres, Dunlin Cres, Berl Ave. 

Saturday 5th: Locher Cres + Gdns + Ave +Way + Gait, Gryffebank Ave, 

Gryffewood Cres and Way, Gryffebank Close + Way + Close, Cunningham 

Gdns, Crawford Rd. 

Monday 7th: Netherburn Ave and Gdns, Craigburn Ave and Place, 

Locherburn Place + Ave + Grove, Craigburn Cres, Woodburn Place, Hillside, 

Hillfoot, Fulton Gdns, Beatrice Gdns.. 

BRIDGE OF WEIR 11th - 16th DECEMBER 

Friday 11th: Torr Rd, Horsewood Rd, Fetlar Rd, Kennbank Cres, Kennbank 

Rd, Thriplee Rd, Lomond Cres, Barrcraig Rd, Carruth Rd, Lawmarnock Rd and 

Cres, Glen Brae, Troon Dr, Glendentan Rd, Turnberry Dr, Barassie Dr. 

Sunday 13th: Elm Rd, Loch Rd and Place, Mill O’Gryffe Rd, Mimosa Rd, 

Lintwhite Court and Cres, Moss Rd, Broom Place, Gryffe Gate, Gorse Cres, St 

Machars Rd, Hillview Rd, Church Rd. 

Monday 14th: Clevans Rd, Donaldfield Rd, Thornwood Dr, Southbrae Ave, 

Rosemount Lane, St Andrews Dr, Dalmahoy Cres, Belleisle Cres, Sunningdale 

Dr, Prieston Rd, Gryffe Rd, Kilbarchan Rd. 

Tuesday 15th: Eldin Place, Hazelwood Rd, The Grove, Shillingworth Place, 

Earl Place, Ranfurly Rd, Bonar Cres, Watt Lane, Montrose Terr, Kilgraston Rd, 

Watt Rd, Ranfurly Place, Bankhead Rd, Kilbarchan Rd. 

Wednesday 16th: Glengowan Rd, Strathgryffe Cres, Kilmacolm Rd, Kilallan 

Ave, Woodside Ave, Warlock Rd, Beech Ave, Castle Rd, Park Rd, Southview 

Cres, Freeland Dr, Warlock Dr, Houston Rd. 

Brookfield 

Tuesday 8th December 

Kilmacolm (North) 

Wednesday 9th December 

Kilmacolm (South) 

Thursday 10th December 

Quarriers 

Saturday 12th December


23 23

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


25 25


20 Years of Rotary in Gryffe Valley 

In September 1995, 24 local worthies sat down in the (sadly now defunct) 

Gryffe Arms Hotel at Bridge of Weir and formed the Rotary Club of Gryffe 

Valley. With inspiration from founder President Stan Moore, and with 

guidance from the Rotary Club of Greenock acting as “mother club”, they 

set out on a path of fellowship meetings, fund raising activities and projects 

in support of communities. Twenty years later, the club is thriving: it has 

some 40 members, it has raised over £200,000, and it has completed over 

300 projects in support of good causes. 

To celebrate its 20-year milestone, Gryffe Valley held a special Charter 

Dinner at the River Inn, Houston. Almost 100 were in attendance with 

members and their partners (including 11 of the original founding 

members), some past members (including a founding member and others 

who had moved away but carried on in Rotary elsewhere), plus Rotary 

representatives from the Greenock and Glasgow clubs and from the West 

of Scotland District. They were welcomed by President David Fairbairn, 

who outlined some of the work that 

the club had undertaken over the 

years, not only in support of the 

local community but communities 

around the world. He paid tribute 

to the efforts of members, past and 

present, their wives and friends, 

local businesses and others who 

had contributed in various ways 

to the fundraising events and to 

the club’s project work over the 

years. David made particular 

mention of the contribution made 

by Stan Moore and he announced 

that, in recognition of this, the club 

had decided to make Stan a life 

member – to mark the honour he 

had been presented with a special scroll. 

After a first class meal, the company 

was privileged to be entertained 

with an address from Len Murray. 

Len was making his second visit of 

the year, having also spoken at the 

Club’s Burns Supper in January, 

and once again he reduced his 

audience to tears – of laughter! 

Scurrilous tales from his career in 

the courtroom were delivered in his 

usual laconic style – with more than 

a hint of the Rev I M Jolly at times! 

NEVER MISS 

A THING! 

We keep an archive of all 

the featured blogs at 

advertizer.co.uk/blog 

He congratulated the club on its achievements over the 20 years and on 

organising such a splendid celebration event. 

No Rotary event would be complete without a wee raffle, and this 

celebration was no exception! Three splendid prizes had been donated 

by Jason Andrews of the River Inn, by corporate members W H Malcolm 

Ltd and by absent member Dan Mungin (unavoidably detained whilst 

cruising on the high seas!). Thanks to their generosity, and that of all those 

who attended, a sum of over £600 was raised which will go towards the 

Therapeutic Resource Library at Corseford school, the Club’s major project 

for this year. 

The evening also featured contributions from member Ron Aitchison who 

gave special thanks to Len Murray, from District governor Andy Lees who 

made mention of Rotary’s (hopefully) final push for the eradication of polio, 

from Immediate Past President Angus Matheson who toasted all the visiting 

Rotarians and guests, and from past member Richard Lees (now a member 

of the Hunterston club and a past District Governor) who mentioned some 

of Gryffe Valley’s successes over the years including the Millenium event 

at Houston House which raised £15,000 for local hospices. The event 

was rounded off by Past President Bob Ross who thanked all those who 

had helped to make evening such a great success. He also made wistful 

mention of the apparent lack of a “father club” for Gryffe Valley! 

with Colin Fyfe of Colcom 

Fibre to cabinet ‘Superfast’ broadband 

has quite recently been made 

available in many areas covered by 

this magazine although the snail’s 

pace of the rollout has been bafflingly 

slow. Furthermore, where the fibre 

enabled connections have become 

available the ISPs have not exactly 

been shouting from the rooftops 

around Renfrewshire. If you are interested in quicker downloads and media 

streaming it is worth looking into it. 

If you are considering the upgrade then it might be worthwhile revisiting 

your internet requirement first of all as the packages the ISPs are offering 

are around a tenner a month more than broadband mk1. 

For example, if you have an internet connection speed of say 5 Mbps, and 

you are using the internet to check email and internet shop on a couple of 

computers, the chances are that you will not see any great improvement if 

you take the upgrade. That said, I have seen major improvement for folk at 

the end of the line struggling by with sub 1 Mbps speeds. For those multi 

user families or tech savvies that like to punish iPlayer, YouTube or their 

‘fair use’ policy download limit, there could be a call for fibre, running at 

around 35Mbps locally. 

I often get asked about the effect broadband speed has on a PC; the 

broadband speed does not dictate the speed of the computer. If you find 

your PC takes a while to load up – paying for fibre will not improve that nor 

will it improve the performance of your wireless connection. Whether you 

put rump or fillet through a mincer, it’s still mince in the end. 

Go to www.superfast-openreach.co.uk to find out if you are the smug or 

damned.


27 27 

Financial Blog 

by Carl Melvin, 

Affluent Financial Planning Ltd 

Already retired? Boost 

your State Pension 

New rules to help retirees buy a bigger State pension have been 

introduced. Men born before 6/4/1951 and Women born before 6/4/1953 

qualify for this new arrangement. This option is available until April 5th 

2017. 

You can buy up to £25 a week extra state pension with cost based 

on age and how much you buy. By paying “class 3A voluntary national 

insurance contributions” you can obtain inflation proofed guaranteed 

lifetime income with death benefits for your spouse or civil partner of 

up to 50% of your pension. You can buy extra pension in stages, buying 

say an extra £5 now and another sum later – as long as the total does 

not exceed £25 per week. 

Is it worth it? 

Pension experts agree that it offers good value for money compared to 

buying an annuity. It is attractive to those who were not able to build up 

additional state pension, such as the low paid and self-employed. The 

price for men and women is the same. The extra pension is taxable 

and will appeal more to non-taxpayers and basic rate taxpayers. For 

a couple with different tax rates, buy the extra pension for the one with 

the lower tax rate. 

Much will depend on how long you live and if you are in poor health 

or have lower life expectancy, this will be less appealing. If you are on 

benefits or live overseas, you may be adversely affected. 

You can get more information at www.gov.uk/statepensiontopup or call 

0345 600 4270. 

Call Affluent FP on 0871 702 9490 or pop into the Affluent office opposite 

Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www.affluentfp.co.uk to 

arrange your FREE financial review. 

6 Must Do’s - 

Planning for the Future 

Kingsley Wood & Co are continuing their series of 

free presentations on “6 Must Do’s - Planning for 

the Future” and will host events throughout West 

Renfrewshire over the coming months. 

Dealing with subjects such as Protecting your Assets, Powers of Attorney 

and Wills these short seminars are packed with useful information on 

these key areas. Aimed in particular at the “Older Person” they address 

matters which are important to family and individual alike. 

The next presentation is set for 

Wednesday 11 November in the 

Howwood Village Hall, Johnstone 

PA9 1BB from 7pm–8.30pm, 

followed by Tuesday 24 November 

at The Mckillop Institute, Main 

Street, Lochwinnoch from 7pm– 

8.30pm. All are welcome to attend. 

Spaces may be limited so for a place 

at any of these presentations please 

contact Annemarie at Kingsley 

Wood & Co on 01505 874114 or 

email: agillen@kingsleywood.co.uk 

WEDNESDAY 11 

NOVEMBER 

Howwood Village Hall, 

Johnstone, PA9 1BB 

7pm – 8.30pm 

TUESDAY 24 

NOVEMBER 

McKillop Institute, Main St, 

Lochwinnoch, PA12 4AJ 

(Bar Lounge) 7pm – 8.30pm 

Kingsley Wood & Co, Solicitors & Notaries, Burnside Chambers, 

Kilmacolm PA13 4ET 

Tel: 01505 874114 Email: mail@kingsleywood.co.uk Web: www. 

kingsleywood.co.uk


LOCAL 

history 

Renfrewshire Local History 

Renfrewshire Copper Mines 

Over the past 300 years, Renfrewshire had many coal and limestone 

workings. It also had a number of less common, though more valuable 

minerals, including copper. Copper occurs in veins among the lavas of 

the Renfrewshire hills, along with Barytes, which was worked at Muirshiel. 

Hundreds of tons of copper were worked, and many more trials (speculative 

shafts and tunnels) opened up for copper on the fabled ‘Lochwinnoch vein’, 

which ran north from Lochwinnoch via Kilmacolm to Gourock. 

The earliest copper mines 

were above Gourock from 

the 1760s, owned by the 

Stuarts of Castlemilk. 

In 1782 this mine was 

described as being 

run by a respectable 

company from England 

and was doing very well 

as the copper was of a 

good quality. When the 

ore was dug out it was 

‘broke into small pieces, 

washed, then strained 

and separated using 

mercury’. At least three 

workings are shown on a 

map of 1796. Water was 

required for power and 

dressing, but was also a 

problem when keeping 

the mines dry. A dam and water powered engine was constructed on the 

Gourock Burn to pump water out of the mines and to wash and process the 

ore. The mines declined, but were explored and reopened again several 

times, including in the 1860s. The occurrence of copper generated further 

trials in the area. Interest was reignited if the price of copper rose on the 

world market. 

The second copper mining area was above Lochwinnoch. Brian Skillen’s 

article in RLHF Journal Vol 8 covers numerous copper mines and trials in 

the Calder valley, and its tributary the Kaim Burn. The lowest successful 

mine was on the west bank of the Calder just upstream of Bridgend. Its 

success generated a number of trials upstream towards Little Cloak. 

The best known and longest lived workings were at Kaim, where copper 

was found in the 1830s. Again success was limited, but more productive 

workings commenced in 1860s with an engine house and chimney stack. 

Several hundred tons of ore were produced, but the company was wound 

up in 1863. However the workings were reopened soon after and further 

mines and drainage levels driven and worked to 1870. Higher up Calder 

Glen, various trials were driven from the river valley in the 1860s. Small 

scale working around Clovenstone failed in 1865. The final workings at 

Kaim in 1874 went down more than 60 metres, but again were short lived. 

When the railway was constructed from Bridge of Weir to Kilmacolm, 

copper was found in one of the cuttings, but was not rich enough to make 

working economic. 

Overall, copper was a valuable mineral and attracted ongoing interest in 

Renfrewshire, especially when the price rose. Old workings were a focal 

point of interest, as they provided ready access to copper veins, without 

the expense of building new shafts. However starting a copper mine and 

its processing plant was capital intensive and unless productivity was high, 

failure was always likely. 

© 2015 Stuart Nisbet 

Renfrewshire Local History Forum’s next Archaeology Lecture takes place in 

the Shawl Gallery, Paisley Museum at 7.30.on 12th November. Our speaker on 

the night is Dugie MacInnes, Director of the Archaeological Field Survey of Glen 

Lochay undertaken by the ACFA. His talk will cover old townships, shielings and 

smaller farm settlements in the glen. Visitors are always welcome at our lecture 

meetings. 

Kilbarchan - November 1915 

Thomas Kerr was nineteen years and one month old when he enlisted in 

Johnstone on 7th September 1914. He had three more years to serve as 

an apprentice engineer with Louden Brothers. He was five feet five inches 

(1.65m) tall, weighed nine and a half stones (60.3kg.) and had brown eyes 

and dark hair. 

He joined the 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, part 

of the 15th (Scottish) Division. After training in England he 

arrived with the division in France on 9th July 1915. He 

survived the 15th Division’s participation in the Battle of 

Loos but on 3rd November 1915 he was killed. A friend 

wrote to his parents, ‘they had gone into the trenches for a 

twelve day spell, and the Germans kept up a steady fire with 

their big guns. It was on the second day that a shell landed on 

Tom’s dug-out, killing him and wounding other two. We buried him the same 

night and a little wooden cross marks the spot where he lies.’ 

He is commemorated on panels 125 to 127 on the Loos Memorial-he has 

no grave. His initial burial place may have been obliterated by shelling, or, 

when and if his remains were recovered, his fibre identification disc would 

have disintegrated, and his remains may be in a grave marked ‘Known 

Unto God’. 

In 1911 fifteen years old Thomas had been a laundry van boy and lived with 

his parents Thomas and Janet, and his two brothers and two sisters and a 

new nephew, at Gateside Cottage, where his father had a weaving shop. 

The family was still there when the news of Thomas’ death arrived. 

Johnstone 

History Society 

We have our November meeting on 

the 10th at 7.30pm in the Masonic 

Hall in Collier Street. Our speaker 

this month is Alexander Hall his 

subject being Flanders Fields 1914 - 

this again should prove to be a very 

interesting. Our last two months 

talks have been well attended and 

enjoyed by all. We are pleased to 

see some new members but would 

always make visitors and any other 

new members very welcome. 

The Museum is open Wednesday 

Friday and Saturday from 10.30 

till 4pm. A new set of old pictures 

of Johnstone have just been added 

to television monitor and you can 

come in and view any time we are 

open.


29 29



31 31


Cycling code of conduct on 

shared-use paths 

Shared-use paths are a great way to get around by bike, but they’re also 

used by many other people. It’s important to follow a few basic rules so that 

everyone can enjoy them as much as possible. 

Many young, elderly and disabled people benefit from shared paths. They 

provide valuable opportunities to travel in a traffic-free environment, and to 

relax and unwind. 

We all have responsibilities for the safety of others we are sharing space 

with. It’s important not to startle other people, particularly those who are 

frail or who have reduced sight, hearing or mobility. The tranquillity of these 

paths is something people value greatly, and all path users need to respect 

this. 

A code of conduct for cyclists: 

Cyclists tend to 

be the fastest 

movers on 

these paths, 

but the paths 

aren’t suitable 

for high 

speeds so it’s 

important to 

keep cycling 

speed under 

control. 

Remember 

that they are 

for sharing, not for speeding. If you wish to travel quickly, train for fitness or 

record personal best times, this is better done on quiet roads. 

Following this code of conduct will ensure that everyone can benefit from 

shared paths: 

Give way to pedestrians and wheelchair users; 

Take care around horse-riders, leaving them plenty of room, especially 

when approaching from behind; 

Be courteous and patient with pedestrians and other path users who 

are moving more slowly than you – shared paths are for sharing, not 

speeding; 

Cycle at a sensible speed and do not use the paths for recording times 

with challenge apps or for fitness training; 

Slow down when space is limited or if you cannot see clearly ahead; 

Be particularly careful at junctions, bends, entrances onto the path, or 

any other ‘blind spots’ where people (including children) could appear in 

front of you without warning; 

Keep to your side of any dividing line; 

Carry a bell and use it, or an audible greeting, to avoid surprising people 

or horses; 

However, don’t assume people can see or hear you – remember that 

many people are hard of hearing or visually impaired; 

In dull and dark weather make sure you have lights so you can be seen. 

Tips for other path users: 

Keep your dog under control 

Pick up your dog mess and dispose of properly 

Kick any horse dung to the side


Dentist of the Year 2015 

33 33 

Bluewater is an award-winning dental practice in Lochwinnoch 

and we are now welcoming both NHS and private patients. 

2015 has been a very busy year for us here at Bluewater. Firstly, 

in January our Principal Dentist, Samuel Barry Lemon, and partner 

Francesca welcomed the arrival of baby Saskia and secondly, in 

June Barry was named Scottish Dentist of the Year 2015 at the 

Scottish Dental Awards. Thirdly, we have recently welcomed our 

new dentist, Robert Kirke, to the practice! 

At Bluewater we offer a large 

range of treatments. As well as 

our restorative and preventative 

dental services, we offer a full 

range of cosmetic treatments. Our 

facial aesthetics include dermal 

fillers and botox and our whitening 

treatments range from airflow 

treatments to Philips Zoom. We 

are also a registered provider of 

Invisalign (invisible braces). 

During November, we are delighted 

to offer Gryffe Advertizer readers 

a huge discount of 20% on 

both Whitening and Invisalign 

treatments. Please quote ‘Gryffe’ 

when calling the practice on 

01505 843 105 or email info@ 

bluewaterdentist.co.uk 

We look forward to welcoming new patients to the practice this 

Christmas and to all of our existing patients we would like to thank 

you for your warm support in 2015. 

Reporting Road Faults 

Here’s what you need to do this winter to reduce the risk of a breakdown 

and make sure that you are equipped to deal with the conditions. 

Check your car 

Antifreeze – check coolant level regularly and, if required, top-up with 

a mixture of the correct type of antifreeze. Your garage should check 

concentration to ensure adequate cold temperature protection. 

Battery – the most common cause of winter breakdowns. A battery more 

than five years old may struggle in the cold - get it checked and replaced 

if necessary to avoid the inconvenience of an unplanned failure. 

Fuel – keep at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delay. 

Lights – check and clean all lights regularly to make sure you can see 

and be seen clearly. Carry spare bulbs. 

Tyres – should have at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring. Consider 

winter tyres for improved safety. Check pressures at least every 

fortnight. 

Windscreen – reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen 

clean inside and out. Now is a good time to renew worn wiper blades. 

Screen wash – use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce 

the chance of freezing in frosty weather. 

Locks and door seals – stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of 

polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant 

(WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing. 

Information sourced from www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/seasonal/ 

winter-checklist.html 

The rain and frost causes difficult road conditions. Please report road faults 

ASAP; you will save others a great deal of grief and might even save a life. 

You can report a road fault or pothole by phone or online. 

Visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk or www.inverclyde.gov.uk depending on the 

location, or call Renfrewshire on 0300 3000 300 from Monday - Friday, 8am 

- 6pm. Outwith these hours, you can call 0300 300 0144 to report faults. 

For Inverclyde call 01475 714800 or out of hours contact RALF (Roads and 

Lighting Faults) 0800 37 36 35. 

Parking In Kilmacolm 

As I write Council Officers have informed me that the 

change in the village from 30 minute to 2 hour parking 

will not now happen until MAY 2016. This is bureaucracy 

gone mad and is the result of a poorly scrutinised policy 

by the relevant committee. A ‘one fits all’ policy never 

works. Kilmacolm is not the same as Greenock. 

An indication was given to traders in February at a 

meeting that the change would happen in November 

2015. The drop in footfall is discernible and the arrival of 

traffic wardens 

to coincide with the September and 

October Farmers market emptied 

the village. I see no reason to issue 

fines on both days for parking on 

white lines in the main car park. 

My surgeries are 14th Nov 11am- 

12noon at Cargill and 26th Nov 

Clune Park Community Centre 

5pm-6pm. I can be contacted 

at david.wilson@inverclyde.gov. 

uk and 01475 741969 and 712727 

and 07766 992294.



35 35


Fireworks on The Cycle Path 

by Andy Stark, The Studio, Bridge of Weir 

bishopton, langbank 

& bridge of weir 

..................................................... 

One World Celebration 

Sat 31 Oct 10.30am-2pm, Royal British Legion Hall, Bridge of Weir 

Browse and buy a range of fairly traded and ethical goods, including Rainbow 

Turtle, Olive Tree and Phantasanja. 

Learn more about LEAP and support Brighter Bridge of Weir. Also Puppet shows, 

Face painting and Kilombero rice. 

Be entertained by the talented members of the Houston Folk Club and Primary 

school choirs. Enjoy a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee and homebaking or a bowl 

of delicious soup. Looking forward to seeing you there! 

Bishopton Sports & Social Club 

Xmas Shopping Event 

Sunday 29 November from 2pm to 5pm 

Bishopton Sports and Social Club 

Join us at this special Christmas Shopping Event. There will 

be stalls selling, books, confectionery, perfume, jewellery, 

tartan goods, cards and many other products to help with 

those gifts which need a little more 

of a personal touch. Entry will be 

£2 this will include tea/coffee and 

cake. Come along for a relaxed and 

enjoyable shopping experience at this 

hectic time. 

D.E.R.A. 

Open Night 

Thursday 26 Nov at The Bridge, 

starts 7.30pm. 

We would like to invite the 

residents of Donaldfield 

Estate to a open night at 

The Bridge. Please come 

along and give us your 

views and any issue you 

may have about the area 

we live in. 

Pre-Christmas Painting Sale 

and Kids Painting Competition 

Art Exhibition from Monday 16 November 

The Bridge, Main St, Bridge of Weir celebrates another 

Art Exhibition. Browse for little gifts and Christmas cards 

including one designed by one of the local artist, Alison 

Bannerman, maybe the original will be for sale at the Art 

Show. The exhibition opens on 16th November with a 

selection of original paintings and prints from only £10. You 

could give an ‘original’ gift this Xmas. 

With so much interest in the little Gallery at the post office, a special Painting 

competition for kids under 11 will start on the same day. To make it easy all the 

kids have to do is post in the’ little Kids post box.’ Easy as 1.2.3. (All children's 

artwork to be A4 please). 

1 Put name, address and tel.no on back of A4 paper 

2 Paint a snow scene. 

3.Post in Kids POST box in The Bridge 

The Box will be opened on Mon 21 December when an Independent judge will 

choose the winner and the child will be notified before Christmas. There will be 

a Special gift for the winner! 

If you have not visited The Bridge, what better time to pop in and get your 

stamps, cards etc , have a tea or coffee and support all the work the volunteers 

do to keep the post office open. Find out more about the Bridge Activities. 

Bridge of Weir SWI 

Thurs 5 November - Marc Herbison of Bernie's Cafe Deli 

We are delighted to welcome Marc Herbison from Bernie’s Cafe 

Deli and look forward to hearing about running a local business and plans for 

the future at this popular cafe. The meeting will start at 7.15 for 7.30pm in the 

British Legion. Visitors 

and new members will be 

warmly welcomed. 

Bridge of 

Weir Lace 

Group 

We meet fortnightly, 

on Tuesday mornings, 

throughout the winter. 

If you are interested 

please phone 01505 

613967. Everyone is 

welcome.


37 37 

Bishopton Fireworks Display 

Saturday 7 November at the ROF Car 

Park, Station Road, Bishopton - 7pm 

Please come and join us for our annual 

fireworks display . No need to travel to Glasgow 

or Paisley . 

A community event for the people of our 

community. £2 per person, under 5’s free . 

Food and drinks will be available. 

Bishopton Christmas Art and Crafts Fair 

Saturday 21 November at Bishopton Community Centre, Gledstane Road, Bishopton 

between 10am and 3pm 

Bishopton Art Group will host their annual Christmas 

Art and Crafts Fair. Local amateur artists and crafts 

people will offer a variety of products for sale that 

will make ideal Christmas presents. The venue has 

free parking and is a 5-minute walk from Bishopton 

railway station. 

Admission to the Christmas Art and Craft fair is 

free. Tea, Coffee and delicious home baking will be 

available. 

Linda Mitchell, organiser of Bishopton Art Group’s 

Christmas Art and Craft Fair said, 

“Bishopton Art Group is pleased 

to announce that our annual Christmas Art and Crafts Fair will be held on 

Saturday 22nd November at Bishopton Community Centre. There promises 

to be a wide selection of art and craft on display, which would make ideal 

Christmas presents. Tea, coffee and some great home baking will also be 

available during the event. Admission is free.” 

The Bridge - celebrates its 4th 

Birthday during November! 

....................................... 

"Happy Birthday!" Support The Bridge – buy your packs of Christmas cards, 

individual cards, wrapping paper, Christmas tags, money gift wallets, diaries 

for 2016 and our very popular 2016 Calendar showcasing Bridge of Weir 

scenes over the year. 

Community Centre - please use the expertise provided within The Bridge. The 

Hard of Hearing Clinic takes place on the third Friday afternoon of each month. 

Villagers can visit the clinic to obtain free batteries or have questions answered 

without having to travel to the RAH in Paisley. The Citizens Advice Bureau has 

bookable appointments every second Monday and our MSP, Derek Mackay, 

and MP, Gavin Newlands, each hold monthly surgeries. 

Post Office – During Post Office opening hours, Donald, Pat 

and Anne are always happy to assist. Please remember 

the overseas posting deadlines!!! 

ADVANCE NOTICE - Craft Fair & Xmas Lights 

1) During the afternoon of Tuesday 1st December a group of local crafters are 

holding a Craft Fair when their goods will be on sale. 

2) To celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights, The Bridge will open 

between 6.15pm and 8.15pm on Thursday 3rd December. Please join us 

during our late night opening for a FREE cup of tea or coffee as you relax in 

the pleasant surroundings of your local community centre and shop. 

Finally a big Thank You to the residents of Bridge of Weir and to our loyal band 

of volunteers who continue to support us. 

(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)


bishopton, langbank 

& bridge of weir 

..................................................... 

The Driver Feed Back signs currently located on the 

Kilmacolm Rd in BoW are only here for seven days to record 

speeds of all drivers passing through. The data collected will 

give us an idea of how successful the thirty mph count down 

signs have been, now we have them all facing the correct 

way, since we should have the data from when they were 

there a couple of years ago for comparison. 

The Langbank Community Council: Langbank Matters 

facebook page is a really useful asset to residents. Whether 

it is reports of dodgy looking characters going round the 

village, or accidents and near misses on the roundabout, 

you get to read it here first. If you have not yet signed up to 

the page then I would urge you to do so. 

Japanese Knotweed is a major problem and can affect the value of your house 

if found in or near your property. Renfrewshire Council will treat areas of council 

owned land but would not normally “notice” areas sprayed. The chemicals used 

by the council have to go through stringent checks and procedures before they 

go on the market. These are all human/animal and pet friendly and the herbicide 

we use on Japanese Knotweed is called Garlon Ultra. This has been proven to 

be the best and most efficient chemical to use for the killing of Knotweed. SEPA 

have information on their website on how to deal with this invasive species. 

Surgeries: Bishopton Community Library - 1st Monday of every month (6.30pm), 

Cargill Hall - 2nd Monday of every month (6.30pm), Langbank Parish Church 

Hall - 3rd Monday of every month (6.30pm). 

Contact: 0300-300-1291 or email cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk . 

Also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/councillormaclaren 

“Working with you and improving our local area”. Please feel free to contact 

me with any of your concerns, and I am happy to meet with you at a mutually 

convenient time. 

GSC’s Xmas Fayre 

Thursday 19 November from 11am - 2pm at 

The Good Shepherd Centre, Greenock Road, 

Bishopton. This is a free event. 

The stalls are made up from all the effort and hard work 

of our young people, staff, high schools in our local area 

and local community! The Stalls will range from: 

Festive Gifts, Bake Sale, Arts & Crafts, Food Stall, Reiki and even more!! 

So come along for FREE and help support your local community and most 

importantly have fun! 

Langbank SWI 

Thursday 19 November, The Village Centre at 7.30pm. 

Our speaker for this month will be Jackie Grey (member) who 

will, as a `Puppy Walker`, give an insight into The Guide Dog Association. We 

look forward to hearing how Jackie and Zenner….. Ahhhhhhhhh…… are getting 

along after a number of months in training. 

As always we will give a warm welcome to members and visitors. 

Bridge of Weir Community 

Council Press Report 

New Members: This was the first meeting after the September Election. 13 

nominations were received for Bridge of Weir and all 13 were duly elected to 

serve on the Community Council for a four year term of Office. 

The Meeting approved the office bearers for the coming year; Chair Sandy 

Clark, Vice Chair Tom Fulton, Secretary Sandra Liddell, Treasurer Jim Farquhar 

and Minute Secretary Pat Allan. 

The eight other members are Natalie Don, Sandra Lafferty, Helen Martin, 

Gordon Lethorn, Maureen McClements, Colin McCulloch, Donald McKenzie 

and Betty O’Hare. 

Police report: Police Area Commander Simon Wright reported a serious 

violent incident on the cycle path. Two of the culprits have been apprehended 

and police are on the lookout for a third person. 

In September there were 8 crimes reported of which 5 were detected. The 

Police Rural Team have been patrolling the village frequently and will continue 

to do so. 

Damage & Repairs: Members of the Community Council raised matters 

including damage to Brighter Bridge of Weir’s planters and youths loitering at 

the co-op. 

Councillor MacLaren reported that the hole in the wall on the core path leading 

from Main Street to the Glen will be repaired by the flood prevention team. 

Six sycamore trees on Houston Road were condemned and have been felled. 

On advice from a qualified Arborist, the trees will not be replaced due to the 

poor condition of the soil. This area is open space and will be maintained by 

Community Resources. 

The Community Council are dis-satisfied by Renfrewshire Council’s response 

to the flood water not draining from Houston Road Park and have demanded 

further action to find a solution to this. 

Traffic & Roads: Traffic Calming at the entrances to the Village was raised 

once again and members asked why other villages can have solar panelled 

speed warning indicators erected and we do not. The Community Council will 

raise this with the Roads department. 

Resurfacing works on the Kilgraston to Lawmarnock Road has left dips on 

the verge. The contractor has been asked to infill these areas with suitable 

material. 

A further request was made to have a Bus shelter at the Kilmacolm Road 

stop. 

Valuation Day: Bridge of Weir Community Council hosted an Antiques 

Valuation Day in the Royal British Legion Hall. Over 120 people attended the 

event including visitors from as far afield as Ayrshire and the Borders. 

The event was led by Anita Manning (the well-known TV expert) and her team 

from Great Western Auctions and it resulted in a significant sum being raised 

for the community. This will be used to enhance the Christmas Lights Switch 

on Event. 

The team of experts provided a very sympathetic assessment of the valuables 

brought to them, even though some of them were of sentimental value only. 

However imagine the joy of one person who bought a jewelled box on ebay for 

£14 to find that it was worth over £600. 

Xmas Lights: A date for your diary, Bridge of Weir Christmas Lights Switch on 

Thursday 3rd December. More details next month.


Proposal of Application 

Notice, Bridge of Weir 

39 39 

This is a Proposal of Application Notice (POAN). A POAN is a notice that a 

prospective developer is required to serve on the local planning authority 

advising of an intention to submit an application for planning permission for a 

development which would fall within the statutory definition of “Major” (which 

in the case of residential development would be where the site is greater than 

2 hectares in area or result in more that 50 housing units). A POAN confirms 

the prospective developers intention to carry out the other pre-application 

requirements which include holding a public event, the details of which are to 

be advertised a minimum of 7 days beforehand, and to advise the community 

council, within whose area the development is situated, of the event. This preapplication 

consultation exercise is for the prospective developer to initiate, 

organise and conduct and after which the developer must prepare a report on 

its results to accompany any subsequent application for planning permission 

which may be made. The planning authority has no involvement at this stage 

other than to acknowledge the Notice if it is competently made; and to confirm 

that a planning application cannot be submitted sooner than three months 

from the date of receipt of the Notice. The purpose of the exercise is for the 

developer to engage with the local community, and for the community to 

express their views direct to the prospective developer/applicant either in 

writing or through attendance at the event. 

The Notice indicates that it is the 

prospective developers’ intention 

to hold their public meeting in the 

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent on 

2nd December 2015 between 3pm 

and 7pm. There is also a statutory 

requirement that they must 

advertise this event in the local 

press a minimum of seven days 

before the event is to be held. 

Should a formal planning application 

subsequently emerge after the 

public event and after expiry of the 

three month period, it would be 

publicised on the Council’s Weekly 

List of Planning Applications, it would be advertised in the press, it would be 

subject to statutory neighbour notification procedures and there would be the 

normal opportunity at that time for representations to be made to the local 

planning authority. 

Since any future planning application would fall within the category of “Major” 

it would not be a matter to be determined under the Scheme of Delegation 

to Officers. If the proposal, as in this case, is likely to be significantly contrary 

to the development plan, the determination would require to be made by full 

Council (after a Pre-Determination Hearing at the Planning and Property Policy 

Board). You should therefore bear in mind that even if not a member of the 

Planning and Property Policy Board, you may at some future point be involved 

in the formal decision making forum if the matter comes before the Council for 

a decision. 

Bridge of Weir TARA 

The police report showed that statistically over the past month there has been 

very little crime committed in the village. Two common assaults, three thefts, 

one of a bike, a case of shoplifting and bizarrely, the theft of headlights from a 

car! Two persons from outwith the village were arrested on drug charges, the 

possession of a knife and the vandalism of a police vehicle. This was a case of 

pro-action by the police who had intelligence on these two persons. The serious 

assault which took place on the cycle track in the early hours of Saturday the 

12th September has led to three men being taken into custody and they are 

currently in jail. 

Cllr Holmes said that a further planning application to build on greenbelt land 

surrounding the village had been made - see adjacent report on this page. 

Two of the recycling bins in Livery Walk car park do not belong to the council, 

but to a private company who have been instructed to remove them forthwith, 

or suffer the consequences. The council are currently looking at whether the 

recycling bins could be better sited within the confines of the car park. 

The Council’s Environmental Services department are going to look at streetlighting 

and foliage around the village after TARA highlighted major problems 

with this issue in some areas. The Council will make it clear to landowners 

their responsibility as regards foliage on their properties interfering with streetlighting 

and the appropriate action will be taken where necessary to ensure 

they do. 

TARA are currently working in conjunction with Cllr MacLaren to get the hole in 

the wall at the bottom of The Glen fixed as soon as possible and the Council’s 

Community Resources department will be taking responsibility for the work. 

Staying with The Glen, TARA have requested that the “Bridge of Weir Walks” 

signs are renewed or removed, as the present ones are either faded or 

vandalised. The flooding in Houston Road Park has become a big issue and will 

be taken forward by all three of our local Councillors as they seek a solution 

from the Council. 

The next meeting of Bridge of Weir TARA will be in the Pirie Centre, Freeland 

Church on Tuesday 17th November at 7.30pm. 

Many children in Langbank enjoyed tennis lessons at the 

tennis court over the summer months and there are plans 

by local parents and volunteers to improve the facilities. 

These proved to be extremely popular with the children and 

by parents, grandparents and carers who enjoyed meeting 

each other and socialising whilst the children learnt basic 

tennis techniques. The court is in need of an upgrade and 

the club house has seen better days. I will be supporting the 

efforts for improvements so that we can produce the next 

Andy Murray! 

Bishopton Cemetery is well maintained and visitors – some 

of whom have travelled from overseas – have commented on 

this. However the cemetery gates could do with repainting and I have asked the 

department responsible to ensure that this is scheduled as soon as possible. 

On a similar note the boundary fence between Moss Road Park and the old 

railway line in Bridge of Weir has been damaged and I have requested that the 

department carry out the necessary repairs. 

Congratulations to Bridge of Weir Community Council for raising £900 to help 

with the costs of the Christmas lights switch-on event. They held an Antiques 

Valuation day with Anita Manning and her team of valuers in the British Legion 

Hall which proved to be very popular 

Email: 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.


kilmacolm 

& quarriers 

..................................................... 

Following on from last month’s report 

when we advised you of additional 

investment in roads and footways in the 

ward, this month we can report that both 

Quarrier’s Village and Kilmacolm will 

see significant investment in new street 

lighting lanterns over the coming months 

as part of an £800,000 investment by 

the Council this financial year. Over 200 

lanterns are due for replacement in the 

villages with more energy efficient and 

brighter ones. 

Councillor McCabe was pleased to be able to attend the launch of Kilmacolm 

Primary’s new house system last month. Pupils and staff are now settled in 

their temporary home in the former St Stephen’s High School building in Port 

Glasgow for a year while their school undergoes a £4.3m refurbishment. The 

nursery class remains in Kilmacolm in temporary accommodation in the school 

car park. 

Councillor McCabe also attended a meeting between Kilmacolm Community 

Council and The Royal Bank of Scotland to discuss the planned closure of the 

village branch. The meeting was constructive with RBS providing reassurance 

on the future of the ATM and confirming that a mobile branch would visit 

Kilmacolm three times a week. There is no doubt the strong response to the 

closure from the Community Council and local elected members has helped 

secure this level of service, which is higher than proposed for some other 

villages. 

We would like to congratulate the new members of Kilmacolm Community 

Council on their election. It is pleasing that a community council has been 

formed to cover the Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s area. Unfortunately some other 

areas of Inverclyde have not been as fortunate with insufficient nominations 

received for a community council to be formed. 

We would like to thank the outgoing Chairman of Kilmacolm Community Council, 

Stephen Hampson, for his distinguished service over the last few years. He will 

be a hard act to follow. 

Kilmacolm now has more than 1,100 homes and businesses now able to 

access superfast fibre broadband, as a result of investment from the Digital 

Scotland Superfast Broadband programme. The rollout is being delivered on 

the ground by engineers from BT’s local network business, Openreach. Further 

information can be accessed on the Digital Scotland website. 

Councillor McColgan - My surgeries this month are on Tuesday 3 November, 6– 

7pm, in St Francis’ Primary School and Tuesday 17 November, 5.30–6.30pm, 

in Kilmacolm Community 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 Monday 16 November, 

6-7pm, in St Francis’ Primary School and Tuesday 24 November, 6.30 – 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. 

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. 

Bridge for Beginners 

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE?? 

Classes continue on Wednesday evenings from 

7.15pm – 9.15pm in the Kilmacolm 

Community Centre. 

This class is suitable for 

beginners and those with a little 

experience in the game. 

Further details phone 01505 

872345. 

Knapps Bonfire Kilmacolm 

Saturday 7 November, Knapps Loch - Kilmacolm from 4.30pm 

A fun-filled evening of excitement for all the 

family. Gates open 4.30pm. Bonfire lit at 6pm 

followed by Fireworks Display. 

Entry cost £2 per head. Remember to leave 

plenty of time to walk out to the field as on-street 

parking nearby is limited. The event goes ahead 

whatever the weather! 

As this is a voluntary event, any assistance in 

building the bonfire or helping on the Evening 

would be much appreciated. If you can help 

please contact Peter Kellock on 01505 872190 

or Lawrie Campbell on 01505 873535. 

OUTLOOK 

OUTLOOK meets as a social community group for an 

afternoon of friendship and fellowship in the Kidston Hall 

at 2pm on 1st and 3rd Thursdays monthly. 

On Thursday 5th November we look forward to welcoming 

Jennifer Sim, leader of the Kilmacolm Rock Choir. Maybe a few 

members of the choir will come along too! 

On Thursday 19th November the group will hear from Robert Jaconelli, an 

advanced driving instructor, with stories and advice on today’s modern motoring 

methods. Plus afternoon tea, chat, and community issues for discussion. 

Everyone welcome. 

Xmas Card 

Sale 

Kilmacolm 

Spiritualist 

Church 

Kilmacolm Community 

Centre, Lochwinnoch 

Road, Kilmacolm 

Help every Tuesday @ 

7.30pm (doors open 

6.45pm) 

Coffee 

Morning and 

Christmas 

Fayre 

Tuesday 3 November, Village 

Centre, Kilmacolm 10am - 

12.30pm. 

Sale of MND (motor neurone disease) 

Christmas Cards. Come along and 

support this very worthwhile cause. 

Saturday 7 November, 9.45am 

-11.45am, Kidston Hall 

Kilmacolm 

Hosted by Kilmacolm Friends of 

Ardgowan Hospice. In addition to the 

Fayre, there will be home baking, 

cards and gift stalls. We hope to see 

you there.


41 41 

The service at the War Memorial will be on Sunday 8th 

November after the Church services in the village. This act 

of Remembrance has grown in size and I have specifically 

asked Scottish Water that they finish their works on the 

B786 by 5th November to allow council staff to prepare the 

site and to accommodate the many cars. Again this year the 

Reverend Peter McEnhill will lead the village’s tribute with 

the 2 minute silence at 11am on 11th November in the 

Cargill Centre. All welcome. 

From 25th November the RBS Mobile Bank will come to the 

village 3 times per week for an hour, less than satisfactory 

as the Bank closure will inconvenience many individuals, 

businesses and organisations. I must congratulate Stephen Hampson of the 

Community Council for organising a meeting with officials of the Bank. These 

officials wonder why the closure was leaked! Can I suggest that they in future 

do not tout the property for sale before telling staff and customers. Poor show, 

but somehow or other not surprising. Stephen Hampson has stood down as 

Chair of the KCC, he will be missed. 

There have been rumours about the X7 bus service ceasing. This is not the case. 

The email I received from McGill’s Buses via SPT is “This is sheer speculation 

with no substance to it.” 

Roads and carriageway resurfacing that I have campaigned for are currently 

happening at Blacksholm, Knockbuckle, East Green and Gryffe Roads. The 

pavement in the latter is very much the De Luxe version. 

Glasgow Airport has been awarded with the title of British Airport of the Year. 

Under the leadership of its excellent Chief Executive, Amanda MacMillan, the 

Airport has gone from strength to strength in spite of Scottish Government aid 

to its nearest competitor, Prestwick. Traffic was up 13% last year and in the 3 

months to September handled 2.75 million passengers. Frequent flyers will 

endorse the speed of security clearance at Glasgow. 

As I write Council Officers have informed me that the change in the village 

from 30 minute to 2 hour parking will not now happen until MAY 2016. This 

is bureaucracy gone mad and is the result of a poorly scrutinised policy by the 

relevant committee. A one fits all policy never works. Kilmacolm is not the same 

as Greenock. An indication was given to traders in February at a meeting that 

the change would happen in November 2015. The drop in footfall is discernible 

and the arrival of traffic wardens to coincide with the September and October 

Farmers market emptied the village. I see no reason to issue fines on both days 

for parking on white lines in the main car park. 

The Bonfire and Fireworks display at Knapps, courtesy of Lord McLay and 

Robert Baxter, will take place on Saturday 7th November. Doors open at 

4.30pm, proceedings start prompt at 6 pm. Entry is £3 adults and £2 children. 

This is a village event with many 

volunteers who make it possible, 

but I would mention Sam Johnston, 

Laurie Campbell, Peter Kellock and 

Dougie Lyle of Scart Farm for their 

sterling efforts. 

Surgeries: 14th Nov 11am-12pm 

Cargill Centre, 26th Clune Park 

Community Centre 5pm-6pm. 

Contact: 

david.wilson@inverclyde. 

gov.uk and 01475 741969 and 

712727 and 07766 992294. 

Hall to Hire 

Kilmacolm Guide Hut 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 details please contact Carol 

on 01505 874428.


kilmacolm 

& quarriers 

..................................................... 

News from the Kilmacolm- 

Mérignies Twinning 

..................................................... 

The Mérignies section of the famous cobblestones which form part of the Paris- 

Roubaix cycle race. 

The friendship between 

Kilmacolm and Mérignies 

continues to thrive. The up 

and coming weeks and into 

2016 will see a number of 

events, ideas and initiatives 

come to fruition. 

In early November a 

delegation from Kilmacolm 

Golf Club will visit Le Golf 

Country Club de Mérignies to formalise reciprocal arrangements between 

the two clubs. Our Scottish visitors will no doubt enjoy a round of golf or two 

followed by a hearty lunch in the club’s brasserie. 

Towards the end of November, the second exchange will take place between 

Saint Columba’s and L’immaculée Conception with the Scottish pupils visiting 

their French counterparts. As usual, pupils will stay with host families in and 

around Mérignies and there will be a formal reception for them organised by 

Mérignies town hall. 

Of interest to wine buffs is a wine-tasting event with a focus on French wine, 

planned for late February. This will be a fund-raiser to help finance an exhibition 

about Kilmacolm which we hope to send to Mérignies. More information to 

follow… 

We will announce other initiatives and ideas in the near future. 

A bientot! 

Kilmacolm Christmas Card 

Christmas 

c a r d s 

are now 

available to 

purchase 

f r o m 

the Post 

Office and 

Threads in 

Kilmacolm. 

“Snowtime at Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm” from an original oil painting by Jim Wood. 

Twinning Churches 

The Old Kirk in Kilmacolm has been twinned with St.Peter's Presbyterian 

Church in Gweru Zimbabwe for several years. Despite deteriorating conditions 

in Zimbabwe the congregation of St.Peter's have always been optimistic and 

forward looking. 

Two years ago Ronald was inducted as their new Minister. Ronald had been to 

visit us in Kilmacolm before his induction and was able to tell us of the plans to 

build a new classroom block next to the church as there was little educational 

support locally for the children. The Old Kirk set out to support this project and 

have sent funds to support the building process. However, delays have ensued 

due to problems getting plans approved and inspections made. 

With unemployment in Gweru now at 85% we are trying to actively support 

them and half of the funds gained from the Christmas Fair will go together with 

£1200 already donated by the Old Kirk Congregation directly to St.Peter's. 

Help us to help them by supporting the Christmas Fair which is to be held in the 

Kidston Hall on Saturday 12th December.


houston, crosslee 

& brookfield 

..................................................... 

Brookfield Village Hall 

The nights are drawing in, the leaves are changing and the smoke from home 

fires are starting to rise above the rooftops of Brookfield once again. As we 

head towards winter, the Brookfield Gardening Club and some kind villagers 

worked hard to prune and weed the Millennium Garden at the top of Victoria 

Road. New bulbs have also been planted 

which we look forward to seeing in Spring. 

Grateful thanks to all who participated and 

the garden is now looking nice and tidy, 

ready for whatever winter brings. 

Brookfield once again hosted one of its 

afternoon tea events on Sunday 25th 

October, the day the clocks went back. 

An extra hour in bed, home baking and 

convivial chat with friends and neighbours 

is always popular! 

Sewing volunteers are urgently needed 

to assist with replacing curtain linings 

in the hall in November. Please email 

Brookfieldvpa@gmail.com or phone your 

local Village Councillor if you are able 

to help and can bring your own sewing 

machine. Cotton and linings have already 

been purchased. The annual Syllabus 

will recently have dropped on resident’s 

doormats and this gives contact names 

and telephone numbers, along with a 

useful list of upcoming and ongoing 

events. 

H.O.S.T. The Carrick 

Centre, Houston 

What’s on November 2015 

Monday to Friday, Woodlands Out of 

School 01505 615438 

MONDAY 

• Embroiderers Guild (weekly) 10am 

– 12pm 

• Yoga (weekly) 1pm Mary Laidlaw 

01505 610217 

• Rockstar Tumbling Class (weekly) 

4.15pm Roz Hart 07734 714131 

• Diaporama 9th 7.30pm 

• Young Farmers 16th & 23rd 7.30pm 

TUESDAY 

• Paint Pot Tots (weekly) 10am Dawn 

Campbell 07789 262350 

• Musical Theatre (weekly) 4pm 

• Yoga (weekly) 7pm Ms Lawson 

01505 613690 

• Agric Discussion Soc. 10th 7.30pm 

• Pony Club (24th) 7.30pm Sandra 

Reid 01505 873698 

WEDNESDAY 

• SWI 4th 10am – 3pm 

• French Class (weekly) 3.15pm F 

McDevitt 0141 886 6282 

• Galaxy Dance (weekly) 4pm Lauren 

07974 285102 

• Councillors Surgeries 18th 6.30pm 

• Cricketfield Res. Association 25th 

6.30pm 

• Gryffe Melody Makers 4th & 18th 

7pm 

• Camera Club (weekly) 7.30pm 

• Houston Community Council 18th 

7.30pm 

Children's 

Halloween Party 

Saturday 31st October 

2015 at 2pm. 

Please email Brookfieldvpa@ 

gmail.com to indicate 

attendance. Tickets on the door 

are £4. 

Children's 

Christmas Party 

Saturday 5th December 

from 2pm to 4pm. 

Plans are already underway! To 

assist Santa and his helpers 

choose a suitable gift, please 

confirm your child’s attendance 

by 21st November by emailing 

brookfieldvpa@gmail.com 

or phoning your local Village 

Councillor. Tickets are £5. 

THURSDAY 

• Gryffe Quilting Group (weekly) 1pm- 

3pm (19th 10-3pm) 

• French Class 4pm F McDevitt 

• Crafty Friends 5th & 19th 7.30pm 

• Folk Club (weekly) 8pm 

Paddybullen@live.co.uk 

FRIDAY 

• Galaxy Dancing (weekly ext 16th) 

4pm Lauren 

• MP Surgery (13th) 12.30 – 1.30pm 

• Houston Show Whist Drive 27th 

7.30pm 

SATURDAY 

• Galaxy Dancing (weekly ext 17th) 

9.30am Lauren 

• MacBraveheart (21st) 7.30pm 

www.houstonmacb.eventbrite.com 

SUNDAY 

• Baptist Church (weekly) 11am and 

6pm 

• A Sketch a Sandwich & a Swally 

(1st) 6.30pm Bill Walker 01505 

612262 

Booking enquiries to Ian Simpson, 

01505 612203 Sandy Young 01505 

331488 Bill Haddow 01505 690693 

hostbooking@outlook.com or The 

Coffee Shop 

Kirk Postie 

Raising money for Renfrewshire Christmas Lunch, a local Charity who are 

hosting a Christmas Day lunch for unpaid carers and people who are on their 

own at Christmas. 

Http://christmas-lunch-renfrewshire. 

weebly.com/ 

For a donation of only 20p a card, the Kirk 

Postie will deliver anywhere in Houston, 

Crosslee and Brookfield. 

The Sorting Office, in the West Church 

Halls, Main Street, Houston, will be open from 10am to 12noon and again from 

7pm to 8pm every day from Monday 14 to Thursday 17 December. 

Cards may also be taken to the Church on Sunday 13 December. 

Delivery is guaranteed not later than Tuesday 22 December. 

Houston & Crosslee SWI 

At our next meeting on Wednesday 11th November our speaker 

will be John Gall from Brownings the Bakers. We meet in the 

Compass Centre, South Street, Houston at 7.30pm. 

Everyone will be made very welcome. For further information please contact 

Arlene McKay on 0141 884 6210 

43 43


houston, crosslee 

& brookfield 

..................................................... 

Congratulations and best wishes to all the candidates who 

have been elected to serve (until September 2019) on the 

Houston and Brookfield Community Councils. Meetings of 

Community Councils are open to members of the public and 

an opportunity should be afforded at each meeting to allow 

the public to address the meeting, under the control of the 

Chairperson. 

Following complaints from residents in connection with 

the construction traffic using Houstonfield Quadrant and 

surrounding streets, I contacted Renfrewshire Council who 

brought the issues to the attention of the contractors asking 

that consideration should be given to the impact on local 

residents and that good neighbourly relations be maintained. 

It was good to be invited once again to attend the Annual Awards Ceremony at 

St Benedict’s High School. Well done to all who received an award. 

On Sunday 8th November it will be a privilege to lay a wreath on behalf of the 

Council at Houston’s War Memorial in honour of those who gave their lives for 

our freedom in the two World Wars. 

The public consultation on the draft proposed Local Authority Ward Boundaries 

ended on 22nd October. Any changes to Ward boundaries will be confirmed in 

2016 and implemented for the 2017 Local Government elections. 

My surgeries are held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Brookfield 

Village Hall from 6pm to 6.30pm then in the 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.gov.uk or through Renfrewshire Council on 0300 300 1265 

Sale Of Art And Crafts 

Saturday 7 November at the Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, 

Kilbarchan, from 11am until 2pm - Free admission 

Kilbarchan Habbies Art Group are holding a sale of paintings and items of craft 

work. This is a great opportunity to buy original art works and hand made crafts 

for a bargain price. Come along early and find the perfect gift for Christmas, 

birthday or a treat for yourself. 

This sale is for one day only and is not to be missed . Why buy a print when you 

can own an original! 

Houston & Killellan Agricultural 

Society Annual Whist Drive 

Friday 27 November in the Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston. 

Everybody welcome. For more information contact Isabelle Stuart 01505 

613479 or e-mail issistuart@fsmail.net 

Diaporama 

October’s meeting was a ‘Ruby Collection’ by Colin. It was an evening of superb 

images combined with beautifully and appropriately selected music. We started 

in Italy with ‘Carnaval de Venise’ with all the fantastic costumes, masks etc. 

associated with carnival time. We visited Scotland - this was as a result of seeing 

a sequence last 

session from a 

group in England. 

We went to 

‘Varanesi’ in India 

with its Holy river, 

London at night 

and the ‘Yorkshire 

Dales’ as a tribute 

to Joe Crocker. ‘Car Art’ was a look at the details 

on American cars at Mildenhall air base in Suffolk, 

England. We had 

motor bike action 

at the "Isle of 

Man TT" and the 

"Road to Hell" 

saw cyclists riding 

from Paris to 

Roubaix (Belgium) 

over cobbles!!! 

Colin always manages to take fantastic images of 

dancers and he produced 2 sequences - "The Dance 

Studio" - a photo book showing the expertise of the 

dancers and "Dance Studio B&W" - all these images 

were black and white and really showed the dance 

positions to best effect. It was a super evening 

enjoyed by us all. 

Our next meeting is on Monday 12th November at 

7.30pm in the Carrick 

Centre, Houston 

and is titled David’s 

“T_O’_B 2”. 

Visitors always 

welcome. 

All photos by Colin 

Wilkinson


kilbarchan 

& lochwinnoch 

..................................................... 

The new community group, Kilbarchan Smiles, has been 

very active of late working in a small but determined way 

to keep Kilbarchan the lovely clean and green village that it 

is. Of course, Renfrewshire Council has its part to play and I 

will always fight to ensure that the village gets its fair share 

of council resources, but it is good for community spirit and 

collective self respect to try and do what we can ourselves. 

Recently I enjoyed some hours with Kilbarchan Smiles 

tidying up the garden at the popular Old Library Centre, 

which is itself a key resource for the village. 

Recently I was delighted to attend the Open Night organised 

by Kilbarchan Community Nursery, which has served the 

village so well over the decades. In 1999 the Community Nursery moved to a 

new purpose build site next to Kilbarchan Primary School, and our son, Iain, 

who is now at university, was one of the first in the new building so the Open 

Night brought back many happy family memories. It was particularly good to see 

the Kilbarchan Fairtrade stall there putting the case for an ethical economic 

system world wide. 

Across Renfrewshire there has been recent elections for all the various 

Community Councils who do so much to articulate local concerns and opinions 

to government at all levels. I noticed that Kilbarchan CC has some new members 

and so too, in greater numbers, has Lochwinnoch CC. This bodes well for local 

democracy and for the right of our villages to stand up for their basic interests. 

A special thank you to those CC office bearers who are standing down after 

years of dedicated service. 

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. 

BT Box Upgrade 

from Cllr Doig 

Cllr Andy Doig is celebrating the fact that 

he persuaded British Telecom to repair and 

restore the only red iconic BT phone box left 

in Lochwinnoch, next to Lochwinnoch Parish 

Church. It was formerly very dilapidated but a 

pleased Cllr Doig said: 

“BT assured me its levels of use still justifies 

its presence in Lochwinnoch so it is good to 

know it is still a lifeline for some, and that now 

it looks much more bright and clean”. 

Kilbarchan Churches 

The joint services for the churches in Kilbarchan during November will be as 

follows:- 

Sunday 1st November – West Church – The Sacrament of Holy Communion will 

be celebrated at 11am and 2pm 

Sunday 8th November – West Church – There will be a short Service of 

Remembrance at the War Memorial at 10am followed by a service in the West 

Church at 10.45am 

Sunday 15th November – East Church at 11am 

Sunday 22nd November – West Church at 11am 

Sunday 29th November – East Church at 11am 

Please join us at any of these services. You will be made most welcome. 

The Kilbarchan Guild meets in the East Church Hall on Tuesdays the 10th and 

24th November at 2.30pm. 

On the 10th, Mrs Joy Blair will tell us all about the Canals from Glasgow to 

Johnstone and on the 24th, Vivienne Macdonald will take us on a trip involving 

‘Parkas, Puffins and Polar Bears.’ The Guild is open to both men and women 

and you will be made most welcome. 

Lochwinnoch Community 

Council 

The following 20 candidates were declared elected, unopposed, to Lochwinnoch 

Community Council and Office Bearers were appointed at the AGM on Tuesday 

6th October. 

David Arthur (Chairperson), Morag Thow (Vice Chairperson), Yvonne Ross 

(Secretary), Jane Owens (Treasurer), Duncan Adam (Planning Convenor/SRANI) 

Hazel Dundas (Minutes Secretary), Kerry MacKendrick (CMRP Liaison), Donna 

Armstrong, Christine Brown, James Bryden, Graeme Brown, Morna Coote, 

Christine Gibson, Ann McKeary, Catherine McLachlan, Christine Midgley, Anne 

Nicholl, Gordon Nicholl, John Richmond and Eric Whitfield. 

Community Council meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of each month, 

commencing at 7.30pm in the Bowling Club, Calderhaugh Lane, Lochwinnoch. 

Members of the public are most welcome to attend these meetings. Agendas 

will be published prior to each meeting and minutes of meetings will be made 

available to view in Lochwinnoch Library. You can contact the Secretary of 

Lochwinnoch Community Council as follows: Email: secretarylochwinnochcc@ 

gmail.com and Mobile (voicemail and text): 07899 746403. 

There is a Correspondence Box for all other communications for Lochwinnoch 

CC, which is a drop box located behind the counter in Lochwinnoch Library, 

accessible during library opening hours. The next Community Council meeting 

will take place on Tuesday 3rd November at 7.30pm at Lochwinnoch Bowling 

Club, Calderhaugh Lane, Lochwinnoch. 

Agatha Crusty and the Village 

Hall Murders 

Thurs, Fri & Sat 26-28 

November, East Church 

Hall, Steeple Square, at 

7.30pm each evening. 

Kilbarchan East Church 

Drama Group presents 

”Agatha Crusty and the 

Village Hall Murders” by 

Derek Webb. 

Tickets are available in 

Bobbins Coffee Shop, 

Kilbarchan or by phoning 

the hotline: 01505 

336336. 

This is a thriller/ 

farce/comedy 

based loosely on 

the Miss Marple 

series and as 

such will give an 

evening of family 

entertainment. 

45 45


kilbarchan 

& lochwinnoch 

..................................................... 

Road resurfacing - I am pleased to report that resurfacing 

work on Wheatlands Drive in Kilbarchan will commence 

on 16 November. This has been something I have been 

campaigning for, has been needed for some time, and is 

welcome news 

Cart Bridge - I have asked that the trees overhanging 

the Cart bridge be cut back, and I have been advised by 

Renfrewshire Council that action will be taken. 

Winter Roads Plan - Winter is fast approaching, and it is 

important that the Council's roads and community services 

are prepared. Within the Council's winter programme the 

main roads will get priority treatment in the event of bad 

weather, however I am anxious to ensure that plans are in place to identify 

other specific areas of vulnerability and for the Council to be able to respond 

quickly. I have also asked that grit bins are well stocked in advance. I am keen 

to hear from residents of Lochwinnoch and Kilbarchan who have comments, 

views or suggestions on this matter, so please get in touch. 

Castle Semple - Ironically at the time of writing we are in fact experiencing 

glorious autumn sunshine, and the facilities at Castle Semple and Clyde 

Muirshiel Park have never looked better. Neither have the classic cars which 

graced the 5th anniversary show at the park on a perfect autumn Sunday on 

18th October. The classic car event has become a highlight of Lochwinnoch's 

calendar. 

Mary Barbour - Provost Anne Hall will officially mark the completion of the 

commemorative cairn to Kilbarchan born Mary Barbour at midday on Saturday 

21 November. This is in the week of the centenary of the Glasgow rent strike 

which Mary led against landlords who were exploiting the families of soldiers 

fighting in World War 1, a strike which brought about a change in housing 

legislation. This was but one of Mary’s many achievements, as she spent her 

life campaigning for social justice. She is venerated in the social and political 

history of the West of Scotland in the early part of the 20th century and her 

legacy should be remembered in Kilbarchan The cairn is situated in New 

street opposite the Glenleven Inn close to where Mary was born and spent her 

childhood. 

My next surgery will be on Saturday 7th November at 9am at the McKillop 

institute Lochwinnoch and 10am at the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan. I can be 

contacted at derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 300 1274 or 

01534 156007. 

Ladies 

Evening 

Tuesday 10 November, 7.30pm, 

Kilbarchan East Church Hall 

Caroline from the Twisted Willow 

florist’s will demonstrate Christmas 

arrangements. There will be a gift 

stall from the shop and also from 

the Prince and Princess of Wales 

Hospice shop. Entrance £3, including 

refreshments. 

Lochwinnoch 

Parish Church 

- Kirk Cafe 

Saturday 14th November 10am 

- 12noon 

Join us for the/coffee, scones, 

pancakes and cakes. Entry £2.50. 

Children free. 

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. 

Early Bird 

Christmas Gift 

and Craft Fair 

Sunday 1 November, Kilbarchan 

Guide Centre, High Barholm, 

Kilbarchan. 1pm-4pm. 

There will be a 

variety of stalls to 

suit every need; 

from local artists, 

beaded and silver 

jewellery, knitted 

gifts, cushions, 

cakes and much 

more. Entry includes Tea and Coffee: 

Adults £1.50 Children £50 

Another Chance to Snap up 

Collectables - Habbie Hat 

Sunday 15 November – 12noon to 4pm. 

The stage is set for another big attic clear-out event following a successful 

first Habbie Tat day at The Performing Arts Centre in the old Memorial Hall, 

Kilbarchan. 

Business was brisk with buyers keen to snap up treasures as local folks took 

advantage of the opportunity to make some space and pass their unwanted 

bric-a-brac and collectables on to others. 

Local jewellery designer Brenda Temple who organised the event, told the 

Advertizer: “We had stallholders from Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir, Kilmacolm 

and Houston, and several customers who came along looking for nice finds 

actually expressed interest in taking a stall themselves, next time. Anyone who 

would like to participate should get in touch as we still have one or two pitches 

available." 

"Door money and donations totalled £110 which is being handed over to 

support the Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust. We will be serving teas, coffee 

and home baking at the next event,” said Brenda. 

Phone 01505 706346 to book a stall. 

Lochwinnoch Parish Church - 


Saturday 5 December 10am - noon 

Further information available in the December issue. 

Kilbarchan East 

Church Christmas Fayre 

Saturday 5 December from 10am - 12noon 

Early news....Santa Clause will be visiting the East Church Hall. More details in 

the December issue. 

Old Library Centre, Kilbarchan 

Recently we have had a number of people calling in to ask about their annual 

donation to the Centre. Letters are sent out on the anniversary of each 

individual’s renewal date. We are extremely grateful for the financial aid this 

gift gives towards the cost of running the Centre. It has also been mentioned 

that many people are under the impression that the Centre is financed by the 

local authority. This is not so. Kilbarchan Improvement Projects was set up by 

a group of local volunteers in 2001 and is recognised as a Scottish Charity 

and a Company Limited by Guarantee. We depend on the usage of the facility 

by residents of Kilbarchan and surrounding area and the generosity of our 

volunteers time. We raise our finance through the very low cost we charge for 

our services. We act as a drop in Centre where everyone is welcome. We have a 

lot of free useful local information leaflets. The Centre is open Monday to Friday 

from l0am to 12noon and 3pm to 4pm. 

Our November programme: 

Mondays - Pilates 10am –ll.l5am 

Tuesdays First Love Music 10.30am – 11.30am Music and Movement for 

Toddlers. Yoga 2pm - 4pm. Craft Group 2pm -4pm 1st & 17th November 

Wednesdays - Yoga 10am-11.30am & 7pm-9pm. Pilates 2pm-3.15pm. 

Fridays - Mhairi Black MP surgery 10.30am–ll.l5am 13th November. Bridge 

Group 2pm-4pm 

We also have an art exhibition presented by Carol Paterson, Christine Berry and 

Anne Ferguson on Saturday, 28th and Sunday 29th November from 10am to 

5pm. Entrance free. 

Lochwinnoch SWI 

Wednesday 18 November at 7.30pm 

McKillop hall, Lochwinnoch 

Wendy Sandiford will be giving us “Glue, Glitz, and Glamour”, just in time for the 

party season! We look forward to warmly welcoming members old and new with 

tea and cake. Please remember to bring a cup. For further information contact 

Elma richmond 10505843193 or email richmond32@tiscali.co.uk


Doug the Caterpillar Draught Excluder 

Doug the Caterpillar Draught Excluder has now been stitched up 

Thanks to 

October’s 

Issue of the 

Advertizer, 

L E A P 

has had a 

tremendous response from 

knitting groups in our villages 

and further afield, all keen 

Helping Hands Craft Group and their Doug’s 

to enter Doug the Caterpillar 

Draught Excluder knitting 

competition, as part of LEAP’s Big Energy Saving Week programme. Home Energy Scotland who 

has featured Doug their mascot on recent television and newspaper adverts - Yes we all know who 

Doug is now - to promote the Scottish Government’s Keep Warm this winter campaign, sponsored 

the competition with prizes for the Best Knitted Doug, the most creative Doug and Simply Doug 

for best effort. These were presented as part of LEAP’s Big Energy Saving Week at the One World 

Celebration Event on 31st October. A sample of the entries from the Helping Hands Craft Groups is 

photographed here to show just what talented and fun loving people our knitters and crafters are. 

To find out more about saving energy and cutting out draughts contact info@myleaproject.org or 

www.myleapproject.org. 

NEW Energy Switch Service Launched 

LEAP launched its NEW Energy Switch service in October, as part of its Big Energy Saving Week, 

with a series of Energy Bill surgeries in Lochwinnoch, Houston and Bridge of Weir. Householders 

brought their fuel bills along to ask questions about rising energy costs, savings they might make, 

and to find out more about what options they might have to switch to a new energy supplier or get 

impartial advice on what was available to them. To attend an Energy Bill surgery in November, call 

01505 842530 or 612034 or visit LEAP on www.myleapproject.org . 

LEAP teams up for the Calais Appeal 

Meddle & Make 

& then a Swap 

A HUGE thanks to everyone who answered the LEAP and the 

Kilbarchan Kirk’s appeal, on behalf of Erskine to Calais. A 

list of some of items that were donated included 25 duvets, 

31 blankets, 12 sleeping bags, 2 tents, 4 camping stoves, 

torches and toiletries. 

Well it all sounds pretty strange stuff but 

16 local women, 3 tutors and 4 helpers led by LEAP spent their Saturday from 

11am till 4pm 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 that 20 days shopping and 2 weeks 

design school could never have brought about. And that was only the Meddle 

and Make part. The Swap, an evening fund raising event for Kilbarchan Primary 

School and its parents group entertained school parents and their friends 

in a clothes and uniforms SWAP supported by a small design team that had 

Kilbarchan Guide Hall transformed into Aladdin’s Cave. Take a look at the 

workshop and event film of the day on myleapproject.org/facebook page. You’ll 

get a real idea through the interviews with participants and the craft workshops 

of the creative energy and fun. To enquire about future Silkscreen printing, 

Tie Dye Techniques, Re-Fashioning, Patchwork Quilting, and more workshops, 

contact gillian@myleapproject.org or visit www.myleapproject.org. 

Photos of 

the Meddle 

and Make 

workshop 

participants 

and photo of 

the artwork 

design. 

Local Business Energy 

Support Service 

LEAP can now offer support to local businesses to save 

on their energy bills. This new service offers businesses of 

all sizes and types the opportunity to access competitive 

quotes from across the broad energy market, to reduce 

energy costs and the associated fees and to fit with their 

business needs and growth. To find out more or to make an 

enquiry about this service, email services@myleapproject. 

org or visit www.myleapproject,org/business. 

Kilbarchan NWR 

The group has two meetings in November - the national 

Telephone quiz, always a fun evening and “Famous 

Families”- e.g. the Rothschilds, the Kennedys. We are also 

invited to an Arabic evening in Bridge of Weir with supper 

and wine. If you would like more information about joining 

the group, please either telephone 703786 or visit the 

website: www.nwr.org.uk 

Kilbarchan Fairtrade 

Group - Curry Night 

At the September meeting it was agreed to support a 

Curry Night at the Trust. Discussion ensued about the best 

possible date-Tuesday’s are preferred by the Trust. It has 

not been finally confirmed, but the Curry Night will take 

place on Tuesday 10th November. Watch out for notices 

at the Trust and throughout the village confirming the date 

and time. 

Christmas Craft Fair 

Saturday 7 November, McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch 

As part of the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival outreach a pre- 

Christmas Craft Fair from 1pm til 4pm. 

howwood & elderslie 

..................................................... 

September and October is a very busy time for local groups 

and Councillors and I have attended a few events in the 

area. At this time of the year, Community Councils hold their 

AGM's. Howwood Community Council have attracted a few 

new members and I wish them well and I'm sure they will 

fight the villages corner in the years to come. 

St Benedict's High School held its annual prize giving and I 

was impressed by both the academic achievements and the 

sporting success its pupils enjoyed in the last year. So well 

done to everybody involved. 

I also recently attended a conference concerning how we as 

a council / community look after vulnerable adults. I took a 

lot out of the day but what I found most important is that is the responsibility 

falls on all of us to first of all take care of vulnerable adults but also to report 

anything that we see that makes us feel uncomfortable about the welfare of 

people. 

Back to village issues: I have been hearing from locals who are not yet enjoying 

high speed broadband in the village. Renfrewshire Council are in discussion 

with both BT Openreach and the Scottish Government about filling the gaps in 

the services for the village. I will update you as soon as possible. 

Finally, I know the police have fined 

a couple of speeding motorists in the Howwood WI 

village recently. I hope this will act 

as a deterrent for those who persist Tuesday 17 November 

in driving through the village at 

Whist Drive - Catered by Mrs J Burns 

dangerous speeds. 

Meetings in Howwood Village Hall 

A reminder my surgery is at 6pm in the 

at 7.30pm. Subscription £18 per 

village hall on the 26th November. 

annum 

47 47


Hobbit House by Helen Crichton of Bridge of Weir 

Kilbarchan Beekeepers 

Association 

Ivy has been late to flower this 

year due to the good weather we 

have encountered as we entered 

Autumn. This is the last of the 

honeybees main source of pollen 

for the year, and the colonies are 

now full of the bees that will see 

the hive through the late Autumn 

and Winter months into spring. Varroa feeding on a pupating honeybee 

Beekeepers have completed their 

Autumn treatment regimens for 

pest like the varroa. Like lice, fleas 

and ticks, varroa suck the blood 

off the honeybee in adult form, 

and also off the pupae whilst they 

are maturing in their sealed cells 

in the honeycomb. This activity 

weakens bee colonies as the bees 

that have pupated with varroa in 

Varroa feeding on an adult female worker honeybee 

their cells are likely to be weaker 

and may have developed deformed wings, meaning they cannot fly and 

cannot perform their role in the hive. 

Beehives are now being prepared for overwintering, with some being loaded 

with a soft fondant feed to see the bees through until the Spring (important 

if they have had their honey taken away for extraction by the beekeeper). 

Also insulation is added to the hives, especially in exposed sites or those 

with frost pockets. Securing the hives is also important, ensuring there is no 

risk of damage due to winter winds or from branches falling from trees etc. 

Interested? 

If you are interested in beekeeping for yourself or the whole family, anyone 

is welcome. Contact Ian Craig, the Kilbarchan and District Beekeepers 

Association Secretary on 01505 322684 or via e-mail beekeeper30@ 

btinternet.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. You can come along 

and find out more about Honeybee 

husbandry and related topics, drop 

in to find out more at one of the 

meetings below. 

Next Meeting - 10th November 

- Honey Show - Judge: Claud 

Wilson. 

Bridge of Weir Hort Society 

Our October guest speaker was Robert McCaw, FCI Hort, who talked about 

plant hunters from the 18th - 21st Century. George Forrest was born in 

Falkirk in 1873 and apprenticed to a chemist where he learned how to dry, 

preserve and distil plant and herb specimens for healing and restorative 

purposes. Forrest then sailed to Australia where he panned for gold. On 

his return,10 years later, he worked as a clerk in the herbarium at the 

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, before being recommended by Sir Isaac 

Bayley Balfour the then Regius Keeper to A K Bulley, the founder of Ness 

Botanic Gardens on the Wirral. Mr Bulley was looking for a resourceful 

character to head up an expedition to China. This was ideal for the rugged 

Scot. Forrest made 7 trips to China and Tibet, sending back 31,000 seed 

or plant samples. He endured jungles, swarming insects, poisonous plants, 

sheer cliffs and rickety bridges across deep gorges all to search for more 

and better plants. His last expedition to China in 1930, was to finish all the 

work he had begun and find all the plants he had missed. This trip proved 

to be his most productive, achieving all his goals, and finding even more 

new species. Two years later and still in China, with much of his work done, 

he died aged 59. Many plants are named after him including the ubiquitous 

Pieris formosa var. Forrestii which grows so enthusiastically in this area. 

Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American, was an intrepid botanist of the 20th 

century. He resisted his father’s entreaties to join the priesthood and, at a 

young age, became a cabin steward, sailing to New York and Hawaii where 

he discovered his passion for plants. In 1920, Rock travelled to Indo-China 

on a seed collecting expedition. He was sent to find the tree which provides 

chaulmoogra oil, then a cure for children with leprosy. He also discovered 

that the tannin in Sweet Chestnut bark assisted in the leather tanning 

process. Rock was a self-taught man. When a boy, he had taught himself 

Chinese so it is not surprising that China was an area which fascinated him. 

Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’, which has yellow berries and is particularly colourful 

at this time of year, was named after him. 

Scot Jamie Taggart of Lynn Botanic Gardens Cove is one of 

the 21st Century plant hunters. His exploits, as an adventurous 

explorer, are well-known to horticulturists. Jamie’s 2014 

expedition to Vietnam, exploring this verdant region ended 

[to date] in his disappearance in a remote region of eternal 

fascination to plant hunters. It reminds us that, sadly, whilst 

plant hunting today can be just as exhilarating as it was for 

Forrest and Rock it remains just as dangerous. 

Our next meeting will be on 12th November at 8pm in the 

Royal British Legion, BOW. Speaker: Louise Bustard, Curator, 

Education Glasgow Botanic Garden, talking about “Horticulture 

in Holland”.


Brighter Bridge of Weir 

49 49 

WE’VE HAD OUR CHIPS - By the time this issue of the 

Advertizer is available, Brighter Bridge of Weir will have 

had their third annual Fun Casino Night fund raiser. 

Here’s hoping it was as successful as the previous 

years’ events. (If you were there, why not visit the group’s 

Facebook page or website and leave a comment?) They will 

also have attended the local ‘One World’ celebration to show their support 

and perhaps raise a little more funding. 

Before all of that, the group had removed 

the summer flowers from the planters and 

barrier baskets throughout the village, 

and replaced them with winter-flowering 

pansies and spring bulbs. The pansies 

should brighten things up over the winter 

months and spring should be a riot: 

there are over 2,000 daffodil bulbs in the 

planters and baskets, and a further 2,000 

spread randomly throughout the village. 

Now the group is working on the next major event on the calendar. The 

group’s spokesperson is reluctant to mention the event by name as it’s still 

some weeks away, but concedes that one of the characters associated 

with the occasion is a jolly chap with a white beard and a red suit. Brighter 

Bridge of Weir’s role in the event involves setting up lighting displays along 

Main Street to augment the Community Council’s lights at Livery Walk. 

So if you thought Brighter Bridge of Weir’s volunteers only came out in 

the spring and summer, think again! They may not be as visible during 

the winter months, but they’re still working away at making Bridge of Weir 

brighter. 

Colourful Kilmacolm 

Kilmacolm Horticultural Soc 

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society will hold their Annual General Meeting on 

Wednesday 18th November at 7.30pm in the New Community Centre, 

Kilmacolm. Following the business meeting and light refreshments, a film 

of the Chelsea Flower Show 2015 will be shown. Annual membership of the 

Society is £5, this includes free entry to the Flower Show. We hold Winter 

Lectures through October to March, a Coffee Morning in the Spring, and 

offer Outings to horticultural places of interest in the summer. Please come 

to hear more about us, on 18th November, or phone Jill Russell on 01505 

872393 for membership. 

As all our planters were still full of colour well into 

October we decided to delay the change-over until as 

late as possible. The trick is to get the new plants in 

before the winter weather really sets in. Let’s hope our 

timing is right. 

Last winter’s displays produced many complimentary remarks and it would 

have been easy to reproduce the planting schemes, however when the 

spring bulbs started to emerge earlier this year they had difficulty pushing 

up through the other plants. It was a situation we had foreseen and had 

thought we might remove a few plants in springtime to make room for the 

bulbs, but then, in the end, we hadn’t the heart! Gardeners will understand 

the dilemma. This, then, explains the planting schemes you can see now. 

We hope there is enough to provide 

interest throughout the winter, but not 

so much that the bulbs will have to 

struggle. 

While we have a few other little ideas 

to develop, we look forward to a quieter 

time before starting all over again. 

If you are interested in gardening and 

have a little time to spare, do join us. 

You can also support us as a ‘non-active’ member too. Membership forms 

can be downloaded from our website www.colourfulkilmacolm.org.uk or 

you can phone Peter (01505 872448) or Diane (01505 872611). There are 

also lots of photos on our website showing what we have done so far.


Windows on Wildlife Update 

The 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. Project Officer Hayley Douglas gives us an update. 

Wildlife News 

At last we are getting some sunshine but, as news that the first Bewick’s 

Swan has arrived in England 25 days early, does this mean that we are 

in for a bad winter? The Redwings have certainly arrived and their “seep 

seep” call can be heard at night time over the villages as they continue on 

their migration. The badgers have become a lot more active as they search 

for food to help lay down some winter fat reserves. Pepper, one of the cubs, 

in particular has taken to foraging in the afternoon. She is a lot smaller 

than the other cub, Salt, but appears to be in good health. Many folk think 

badgers hibernate, but this 

isn’t true and they will be 

active all winter although less 

so if the weather is bad. As 

we get ready for bonfire night 

please remember to check 

any leaf piles and bonfires 

for hedgehogs before lighting 

them. Hedgehogs are looking 

for nice cosy nests to sleep 

in through the winter and 

bonfires, unfortunately, meet 

their requirements. It’s also 

worth noting that if you see a 

Langbank Camera Club 

The October print competition topic 

was “Scottish Castles”. We had a 

variety of images of Scottish castles 

but it was the old favourites that won 

on the night, and I’m talking about the 

castles here. The winning entry was 

submitted by Gary Ramanathan of his 

image of “Stalcaire” - Stalker Castle, 

Appin near Oban. A 15th century castle 

built by the Stewarts on what was the 

site of a 14th century fortress. Second 

place also went to Gary for his image 

of Edinburgh Castle. Third place 

was awarded to Derrick McPherson 

for his monochrome image of a 

cannon taken on the battlements of 

Stirling Castle - you can just see the 

hedgehog out in the day then there is a problem. Often it will be an autumn 

juvenile trying to find food to help it put on weight. More often than not these 

individuals are too small to survive hibernation and will often die as they 

attempt to do so. If you find one please put it in a box with some newspaper 

and an old jumper and phone or take it to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue. They 

will look after it during the winter and can be contacted on 01505 502415. 

Remember hedgehogs cannot tolerate milk so please do not give them any 

as it can make them ill. 

Events - Swan Chat 28 Nov, Bird Ringing 29 Nov 

There are two opportunities to get up close to wildlife in November. Down 

at Castle Semple why not join me to find out more about the swans as the 

monthly winter Swan Chats return. This informal session takes place on 

Saturday 28th November at the entrance to the car park. You can pop 

along at any time from 2pm-3pm to find out more about them. On Sunday 

29th November, at Muirshiel Visitor Centre, there will be a bird ringing 

demonstration. This will give you the chance to see some of the smaller 

birds in the hand as mist nets are deployed to catch them. Why not come 

along to find out about why they are caught and what we can learn from 

their movements. The session takes place from 11am-3pm and you can 

pop along at any time. There is no need to book for either event. 

More Info… 

Details can be found on the Parks 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 http://www.facebook.com/ 

WindowsonwildlifeatClydeMuirshiel. Talks to groups can be arranged if you are 

interested in finding out more about your furry and feathered neighbours. 

Wallace monument in the background between the 

merlons. 

At the club meeting a presentation was given on 

background and perspective. This demonstrated 

how you can change the look and feel of your 

photographs by considering the background 

as much as the primary subject matter, using 

techniques to make the image stand out. The 

lecture was well received and provided lively 

discussion on the topic. 

At next month’s main meeting (November 9th) we will 

be discussing photo file management. This will include 

demonstrations of backup and photo management (organiser) tools etc. And will 

be followed up with a Q&A session to discuss any points or queries raised by 

members and guests. 

The theme for the November (23rd) Projected Digital Image (PDI) evening will 

be an open competition which will allow members free rein on image selection 

for the big screen. We will also be doing a workshop on portraits and still life that 

evening. The PDI meeting is a forum for members to get constructive feedback 

on submitted images. 

The main November meeting will be held as usual on the second Monday of the 

month, 9th November, with the PDI meeting held two weeks later on Monday 23rd 

November. The print competition topic for November is “Slooow Shutter speed 

Photography” - images taken with an exposure in excess of 5 seconds. 

All club meetings are held in Langbank 

Church Halls, Langbank. Visitors are 

always welcome to our friendly club 

nights. 

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.


51 51 

The nights are drawing in and there’s a definite nip in the air, just the time 

to get out and about in the woods and blow away those cobwebs! The trees 

have mostly dropped their foliage now so this is the best time to come and 

kick around piles of leaves under the trees. 

David our head gardener has been working hard and even in the winter the 

gardens are a lovely place for a walk. We will be open every day except 

Christmas Day and New Years Day over winter. The waterfalls often look 

particularly fine at this time of year – especially if we have snow. 

Half price winter membership is still available, Just £33 for a family (Two 

Adults and children) or Grandparent (Two grandparents and up to four 

grandchildren) and £15 for a single ticket. This is great value, valid until the 

end of March and only needs a few visits to pay for itself. 

SANTA’S GROTTO 

We are proud to announce that 

after a wonderful visit from Santa 

last year he is back again at 

Finlaystone, he will be visiting every 

weekend in December! Spaces 

for Craft Stalls are still available, 

and don’t forget our cut your own 

Christmas tree sales. 

Follow the woodland trail to find 

Santa in his forest Grotto. Visit 

includes an individual present from 

Santa specific to each child and a 

festive arts and crafts session. 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 

20th, 21st, 22nd of December from 11pm to 4pm. 

Advance booking is required for this popular event, tickets are 

available now and cost £12 per child (1 accompanying adult 

free) Call Norah on 01475 540505. 

Welcome to Scotland’s largest Regional Park 

Clyde Muirshiel’s Branching Out to Shine at Scottish Parliament 

Clyde Muirshiel’s hugely successful mental health woodland activity 

programme, Branching Out, will be featured in a Scottish Natural Heritage 

Parliamentary Reception on Thur 12 Nov. The Reception will showcase 

good practice of how the outdoors and access to it can aid recovery and 

provide experience and opportunities to all. Also part of our display will be 

‘Twiglets’ a programme where young adults with disabilities can enjoy the 

outdoors through activities such as bushcraft, sailing and kayaking. 

Stargazing Returns to Muirshiel Centre 

After some fantastic images of the aurora borealis shared on our facebook 

page (www.facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark) last month 

we are really looking forward to the return of Muirshiel Country Park’s 

Stargazing evenings! The next date at the unique dark sky location, and 

last opportunity in 2015, is Fri 20 Nov (Please note this date is instead of 

the December date in our What’s On). 

Pedal the Park 2016 – Sun 24 Apr 

The popular cycling event is back!!! This year we will have 2 exciting 

sportive options Classic 75km and a Challenging 100km! Also returning 

will be hand cycle ride and mountain bike ride. Put Sun 24 Apr in your 

diary now and check Ride 63’s facebook page for when entry goes live 

soon! 

Outdoor Activity Courses 

Our Outdoor Activity team don’t get much rest over the winter period 

as there are still lots of courses to run! Try out powerboating or one of 

our land based activities such as archery or biking. See dates online. 

Gift vouchers are also available from the Castle Semple Shop for those 

planning ahead to Xmas! 

Duke of Edinburgh Programmes at Clyde Muirshiel 

The Park has expanded our range of expeditions and skills to suit Duke 

of Edinburgh students of all abilities. Park Special School students East 

Ayrshire recently completed their Bronze overnight expedition canoeing 

around Loch Lomond with the support and guidance of Clyde Muirshiel 

Outdoor Activity Instructors. 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 

See facebook for details of what is going on. Recent activity, apart from 

‘Rides’ includes Cycle Ride Leader and Adaptive Cycle Ride Leader 

training. The group meet on the last Thursday of the month and a new 

time of fortnightly on a Sunday morning. Full details on Ride63 facebook. 

Email the Secretary at ridesixtythree@gmail.com to become a member or 

email the Park at routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk for more information. 

New What’s On! 

It’s out now! Grab yourself a copy of our popular events guide in our 

Visitor Centres. 

CMRP Online 

Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s 

Facebook facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or Twitter @ 

Clydemuirshiel pages. 

Regular Events 

Mondays (but not public holidays) 

Lochwinnoch Community Walks 

meet 10.30 hrs at The Cross, 

Lochwinnoch. 

Weekly Volunteer Groups 

Newcomers always welcome! 

Thursdays 

Castle Semple Conservation 

Volunteers, Adult group, from 12.30 

– 15.30 hrs. 

Saturdays 

Greenock Cut Conservation 

Volunteers, Adult group, 10.30 – 

14.30 hrs. 

Sundays 

Castle Semple Young Volunteers, 

12-18 yr olds, 10.00 – 12.00 hrs 

Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or 

Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages.


The past month has seen the influx of the winter migratory birds arriving, with some whooper 

swans being among the first spotted. Other wildlife highlights included an Osprey fishing in the Aird 

Meadow Loch, two Kingfisher and two Mandarin Ducks. Our work on the reserve in October centred 

around the clearing of the cut vegetation on the Aird meadow, as well as some maintenance work 

being carried out on the channel waterways in front of the Visitor Centre. 

There are a number of exciting events at the Reserve this November. On Saturday 7th, Castle 

Semple will host a swan ringing event ran by the RSPB Lochwinnoch Wildlife Explorers Group. 

This is a great chance to enthuse the younger members of your family in nature. As well as learning 

something, they’ll have a great time doing it! 

Last but by no means least, we will be holding a “Birds for Beginners” event on Saturday 28th. If 

you have an interest in birds but have no idea where to start, this event would be ideal. Come along 

to see and learn more about the common garden birds, and with a little bit of luck, some rare ones 

too. 

For more details or to book on an event, please contact us at: 01505 842 663 or email: lochwinnoch@ 

rspb.org.uk 

Gryffe Camera Club 

Gryffe Camera Club began our new session with a welcome 

members night, including a presentation on how to prepare 

mounts for our print competitions. Also 5 workshops were set 

up, led by club members, to run throughout the year. They are 

beginners, night photography, audio visual, bird photography 

and techniques. 

In mid September we were entertained by Andy Stark with his 

presentation on “My life as a professional photographer”. 

Our first league competition of the year was at the end of the 

month and was judged 

by members. 

The digital A section was 

won by George Kennedy 

with “Grub’s Up”, and 

the digital B section was 

won by Malcolm Martin 

Grub’s Up 

with “Hanging On” Full 

results can be found on the Gryffe Camera Club website. 

www.gryffecameraclub.co.uk 

During October we critiqued the annual photographic 

competition between local Primary schools giving advice and 

hints to the children, hopefully to encourage them in their 

future photography. 

We have a busy November Programme of meetings, details 

Hanging On 

of which can be found on: www.gryffecameraclub.co.uk 

Kilmacolm Camera Club 

We’ve had an interesting set of evenings to kick off the 2015/16 season. As usual on the first night, 

members had the chance to show what they’ve been photographing over the summer. There was a 

varied selection of images taken all over the world (and a varied selection of envious glances!). 

We also had a terrific show from Kirk Norbury. This included some excellent landscape images and 

awesome night skies. He also demonstrated his ingenious method of taking time-lapse photography, 

and the results were stunning. 

Our first internal competition of the season was 

our Summer Assignment, with the subject being 

“Weather”. Sunny shots were hard to come by, 

needless to say! Winners were Bill Ham, for the 

best aggregate score, and David Addison, with the 

best individual image, “Overcast Morning” (shown 

here). 

Still feeling sorry that you did not capture October’s 

misty autumn landscapes? Come along and we’ll 

show you how it’s done (or perhaps you can show 

us!). 

Venue: Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01; Tuesday evening, time 7.30pm. Contacts: 

Billy Blair, Tel: 873383; Janice Stevenson, Tel 873595. Website: clikpic.com/kilcamclub/


PHOTOGRAPHY HINTS & TIPS 

With The Studio 

Bridge Of Weir 

LENSES - and the art of ZOOMING 

The lens is the all important bit of glass in the front of the camera that lets 

in the light and allows you to choose your subject matter by zooming in or 

out or by getting closer or further away from your subject. 

NOTE - KEEP IT CLEAN - use lens cleaning tissues, not kitchen roll, you 

will scratch the lens. 

In many cameras you can ZOOM IN to bring things closer and make them 

appear bigger. This is useful to pick out a subject from the background to 

make the image more interesting. It is also ideal if you cannot get close to 

the subject. 

Paisley Colour Photography Club 

Competition for the Bowie Trophies 

Recently at the McMaster Centre PCPC’s first competition of the 2015- 

2016 session took place. The competition was for the Bowie Trophies and 

entries for the competition consisted of two images, one botanical and one 

zoological, judged as a set. 

Inverkip photographer Bill Clark, this year’s judge, delivered a considered 

and constructive assessment of all 82 images in the competition. Bill praised 

images for their story and admired the skill required to locate and isolate 

subjects for maximum impact. 

Sweet Chestnut 

McKinders Eagle Owl 

This year the Ila Bowie Trophy for the best set 

by a non-advanced member was awarded to 

Ken McArthur for his set “Sweet Chestnut” and 

“McKinders Eagle Owl”. Bill chose “Grey Heron 

with Fish” as the best image by a non-advanced 

member. 

Grey Heron with Fish 

In the advanced section Bill explained how 

difficult it was to choose between sets of images of such high quality. He 

awarded fourth place to Pauline Smith for “Sycamore in Spring” 3 and her 

stunning macro shot “Pine Sawfly Larva Moulting” 5 . 

53 53 

48mm Focal Length 

You can also ZOOM OUT to show much more of a scene. This is ideal for 

landscapes and group photos. 

Choose the appropriate setting for the subject – wide angle settings will 

distort your image if you try to use it for close ups or portraits. Zooming in 

too close can mean you crop the tops of people’s heads or feet off. 

If you have an SLR camera you have the ability to change lenses and be 

able to directly see the effect of each lens. 

You can buy a huge variety of lenses for an SLR from extreme wide angle 

(Fish Eye) lenses to portrait lenses, macro lenses, and telephoto lenses. 

The quality of the glass in the lens will define how sharp the images are, 

how large and how heavy they are and also how expensive they are. 

The more you zoom in on your lens the more likely you are to get camera 

shake. The longest lenses are best used with the aid of a tripod or monopod 

to steady them and keep your images sharp. 

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 

300mm Focal Length 

Brookfield Gardening Club 

The nights are drawing in, the leaves are changing and the smoke from 

home fires are starting to rise above the rooftops of Brookfield once again. 

As we head towards winter, the BGC and some kind villagers worked hard 

to prune and weed the Millennium Garden at the top of Victoria Road. New 

bulbs have also been planted which we look forward to seeing in Spring. 

Grateful thanks to all who participated and the garden is now looking nice 

and tidy, ready for whatever winter brings. 

1 

Bill placed Fiona McEwan third for “Wild Goat Giving Birth” 2 and her 

well-seen pattern image “Sphagnum Moss Detail” 1 which he also judged 

to be the best botanical image in the competition. Bill selected “Cuckoo 

with caterpillar” 4 by Mike Cruise as the best zoological image in the 

competition. 

Red Campion 

Blue Tit on Catkin 

Runner up this year was Jim Caldwell with “Red Campion” and “Blue Tit on 

Catkin”. The judge praised the skilled use of depth of field to draw attention 

to the tiny hairs on the stem of the campion and the beautiful light on the 

eye of the blue tit. 

2 

4 

3 

5 

Top 10 jobs for november 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Clear up fallen leaves - especially 

from lawns, ponds and beds 

Raise containers onto pot feet to 

prevent waterlogging 

Plant tulip bulbs for a spring 

display next year 

Prune roses to prevent wind-rock 

Plant out winter bedding 

Cover brassicas with netting if 

pigeons are a problem 

7 

8 

9 

10 

Insulate outdoor containers from 

frost - bubblewrap works well 

Stop winter moth damage to fruit 

trees using grease bands around 

the trunks 

Put out bird food to encourage 

winter birds into the garden 

Use a seasonal bonfire - where this 

is allowed - to dispose of excess 

debris unfit for composting 

Meadowsweet in Rosebay Willow Herb 

Kingfisher Emerging from Water 

Bill awarded first place to Mike Cruise who wins the Bowie Trophy 2015 with 

his set “Meadowsweet in Rosebay Willow Herb” and “Kingfisher Emerging 

from Water”. The judge particularly admired Mike’s skill in evoking the mood 

of summer in his richly coloured “Meadowsweet in Rosebay Willow Herb”. 

In “Kingfisher Emerging from Water” Bill concluded that Mike’s choice of 

shutter speed was key to the success of this image where the wings of the 

kingfisher record movement while the body of the bird remains pin sharp. 

Club meetings continue on Thursday evenings with a variety of lectures 

and competitions. Visitors are always welcome. For more details please 

visit: www.paisleycolour.co.uk.


St Columba’s School 

every Monday 

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers 

McKillop Hall. 9.30am-11.30am £2/ 

family fee includes tea & children’s snacks. 

St Columba 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. 



9.30am-11.40am 

Howwood Playgroup 

Howwood Church Hall 9.45am-11.35am 


St Columba Toddlers 


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. 



every Thursday 

Houston Toddlers 

Church Hall, Main Street, Houston 

Pop along and see us from 9.30-11.30am 

Invitation to the Science Building Open Evening 

Exactly fifty years after its original opening, we will be marking the completion 

of the modernisation of our Science building with a special Open Evening on 

Wednesday 25th November from 6pm – 7.30pm. We look forward to showing 

families and friends of St Columba’s School what a great transformation 

has been achieved over the summer; this will be a fun and informative 

event where you can tour the building at your leisure and observe pupils 

and staff demonstrating experiments in the Chemistry, Physics and Biology 

laboratories. Refreshments will be served. If you would like to come please 

contact Catherine Mulgrew by 9th November – cmulgrew@st-columbas.org 

or 01505 874772. 

Open Week and Taster Visits 

We warmly invite all parents who are considering to send their child to St 

Columba’s to our Open Week from 9th to 13th November. This is the ideal 

opportunity to see what St Columba’s has to offer, providing an all-through 

education with a wide range of opportunities for your child, with wrap-around 

care in Junior School from age 3. To find out more and reserve your place 

please go to st-columbas.org or call 01505 872238. If you are unable to visit 

us during Open Week you may like to come and see us on a taster day, which 

can be arranged throughout the year. 

Senior Hockey & Rugby Italy Tour 

In October, the St Columba’s hockey and rugby teams enjoyed a 

memorable trip of sport, culture and bonding in Italy. Between matches there 

was time to enjoy the beautiful sights of Venice, and matches were played in 

Padua, Milan and Botticino. 

Paris Trip 

Senior I pupils thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Paris at the beginning of the 

October break. Their visit took them to famous sights like the Arc de Triomphe, 

the Eiffel Tower and the Chateau Versailles, but there was also time to visit 

the Hard Rock Café and have fun at Disneyland. 

Family Treasure Hunt 

A huge thank you to everyone who came out and took part in our Family 

Treasure Hunt. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and hope that it helped all the 

families who attended to meet other families and enjoy a day out around the 

beautiful village of Kilmacolm. Congratulations to our winning team, Mabel’s 

Muppets, who triumphed after the Tie Breaker question. 



9.15am-11.40am 



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.


Greenock and District Scouts 

55 55 

Chief Scout Gold Celebrations At Quarriers 

Three Scouts from 45th Quarriers were 

presented with their Chief Scout Gold Awards 

by District Commissioner Peter Bennett 

recently. 

Struan McCamley, Michael McGeoch and 

Rowan Seel earned the high award after three 

years of effort at Scouts that has included 

regularly attending this year’s Zodiac camps 

where they demonstrated their scouting skills. 

Along with their regular commitment to scouting, 

the three have taken part in new activities 

including climbing, archery, geocaching, 

cycling and watersports. 

They celebrated their award by inviting the 

District Commissioner to a special dinner cooked by all the 45th Scouts. 

The Chief Scout Gold Award is the highest award available to scouts and is earned after 

completing eight challenge badges. 

Kilmacolm Cubs Have Been ACES In Learning About Healthy Eating 

The 42nd group welcomed Margaret Williams and Ann Cameron from the Inverclyde 

Health and Social Care Partnership’s Active Children Eating Smart (ACES) scheme. The 

ladies spoke to the youngsters about the healthy eating plate and which food groups were 

best to eat and in what 

quantity. 

The Cubs then played a 

game where they had to 

run around the hall and 

hand items of food printed 

on cards to the correct group they belonged to, such as carbohydrates, sugars, protein 

or dairy. They found out that a lot of foods come into more than one category, which is 

important when you are choosing how much of each thing to eat. 

The ACES team are keen to speak to as many Beaver and Cub Groups in Inverclyde as 

possible and their free talk covers the badge work about healthy eating. 

More information about ACES is available from www.inverclydeleisure.com/enterprise/ 

Wellbeing or by e-mailing Margaret Williams on margaret.williams5@ggc.scot.nhs.uk


Houston Primary School 

Nursery - Enjoyed a visit from Zoolab. They learned about different 

creatures including:- tarantula, millipede, African snail, snake, hermit crab 

and fat Bob the cockroach, who eats everything, even walls! 

P1 - Received tennis coaching from Strathgryffe Tennis Club. They also 

began purposeful play with the help from parents to work on their ‘Seaside’ 

play activities. 

P2 - had an amazing trip to Lunderston Bay, where they found jellyfish, 

hermit crabs and even some 

starfish! They have also been 

busy learning about Shabbat 

and had a party to celebrate by 

tasting Kosher food and singing 

traditional Jewish songs. 

Shalom Shabbat! 

P3 - have been creating autumn 

tree pictures this term and 

written descriptive poems about 

autumn to display alongside 

their colourful artwork. 

P4 - have been learning about 

mini beasts. As part of a homework challenge they made a mini beast 

model and created a display outside the classroom which looks absolutely 

fantastic. 

P5 - Every Monday, Primary 1-7 pupils have been working with children from 

different stages in Vertical Learning groups. They have been participating 

eagerly in a wide range of activities including digital learning, pupil voice, 

citizenship, health and wellbeing and forest education. 

P6 - had the honour of going swimming at the ON–X. They have been 

learning the front crawl, diving and swimming to the deep end of the pool. 

They also prepared a presentation about French food and eating out to 

their peers. 

P7 - have had a fun few weeks with Mr Heaney, but sadly they had to say 

farewell as he took up his new permanent post. This term they have been 

learning about Natural Disasters and made giant informative posters for all 

to read. 

Sports Clubs - P6 & P7 girls have been developing their passing, defending 

and shooting skills for netball and are looking forward to playing matches. 

Total Soccer has resumed, as well as Mr Milligan’s lunchtime football club. 

There is also going to be a badminton club starting. 

Gardening Club - put on a fabulous PowerPoint presentation for the whole 

school at the Harvest assembly, showing all of the wonderful fresh produce 

they have grown this year. The orchard is full of apples, pears, plums and 

cherries, however some people have been picking the young fruit before 

they are ready, which is very sad. 

St Columba Church Playgroup 

& Toddlers 

We celebrated this glorious Autumn 

by working on a group tree activity at 

Playgroup. There were lots of willing 

helpers to tape together our large tree 

and then paint it in all sorts of Autumn 

colours. The next task was to stick on 

the leaves we had collected, which 

was quite tricky but we displayed 

good teamwork to get the job done. 

This was a great opportunity for the 

children to work together and then 

show their efforts to their parents at 

collection time. Well done! For more 

information about Playgroup, please 

contact our Playgroup secretary 

Emma at emma@kehoes.com. 

A big thanks to all those who contributed to our recent Ragbag collection 

and Nearly New Sale, both of which helped raised vital funds for the group. 

We are also delighted to have been awarded a grant of £1290 by the Bank 

of Scotland Foundation to spend on various consumables and some new 

equipment. 

For more information regarding our Baby & Toddler group, please contact 

our Toddlers secretary Beth at thebbles@hotmail.com. 

Kilmacolm Primary 

We celebrated the official launch 

of our new House System recently. 

Invited guests Cllr Lauchlan, Cllr 

Wilson and Cllr McCabe came along 

to join in the fun! 

The children were entertained by 

pipers from St Columba’s school, 

highland dancers (Samantha Parker 

P4 and Ashleigh Parker P3) and 

piper Ewan Simpson P5. The children 

earned house points throughout the 

day by participating in Scottish themed activities. P1-4 enjoyed a mini 

Highland Games event and P5-7 loved the mini Ceilidh. 

The new Scottish themed house 

names were voted for by the 

children....Highland Cows, Thistle, 

Haggis and Tartan. The children 

came dressed in their house colours 

or in tartan. The whole event was 

organised by the House Captains 

(Megan Craig, Samantha Todd, Finn 

Jobson, Stephen Nawrath) and the 

Vice-House Captains (Keir Houston, 

Wladek Zawadski, Samuel Beckett, 

Fraser Craig). 

Last month we raised a fabulous £1000 for school funds at our Welly 

Waddle. Thanks to all who donated and helped on the day. 

Our P3/2 & P3 classes were learning 

about Pirates in their classes last 

term. To round off their topic they held 

a Pirate Assembly and party which 

was very exciting. Parents enjoyed a 

treasure hunt, walking the plank 

The boys and girls were also visited 

by Captain Jack who entertained 

them with stories of a pirate’s life and 

tales of the high seas. 

As we looked towards our decant to St Stephen’s in Port Glasgow, to allow 

for our school refurbishment, we held Farewell Discos, organised and 

funded by our hard working PTF Committee. 

Harvest Assembly - was led by Fraser Donaldson & Andrew McAlees from 

Elim Church. Fraser manages Inverclyde Foodbank and all donations from 

our very kind parents and children helped this very worthwhile cause. This 

year’s offering was particularly generous and Fraser was delighted with our 

response. Our thanks go to Fraser & Andrew who have been a fabulous 

support over the last few weeks. It’s always a pleasure to welcome them 

to our school. 

Registering your child for 

primary education 

Entry to primary schools is on a once-a-year basis at the start of the new 

session in August each year. Registration takes place in mid January in 

your catchment school. 

You will need your child’s original birth certificate, and proof of residence, to 

register them for school. 

Adverts appear in nurseries, schools and newspapers in early January 

providing details on how to register your child. 

You can register your child at only one school, either the denominational or 

non-denominational school in your catchment area. 

Renfrewshire 

If you are unsure which school you should register at, please call 0300 300 

0170 for advice. Or visit the website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Inverclyde 

Booklets providing information for parents on placing request procedures 

may be obtained from any school or from The Customer Service Centre, 

Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1LY. 

Telephone No: 01475 717171. Opening hours Monday to Thursday 8.45 

am – 4.30 pm, Friday 8.45 am – 3.45 pm. More information available from 

www.inverclyde.gov.uk.


Kilmacolm Nursery 

57 57 

Sponsored Walk 

Well done to all the boys and girls 

at Kilmacolm Nursery Class who 

have taken part in a sponsored 

walk around the school grounds to 

raise money for the nursery funds. 

The children were encouraged 

to dress up in their fancy dress 

costumes and took part in singing 

all their favourite nursery songs. 

Altogether, we raised a little over £300 which will go towards buying new 

resources and equipment. 

Farewell Party 

All the children came together on the 

last day before the October holidays 

to wave goodbye to the nursery 

before we decant into our temporary 

nursery for the schools refurbishment. 

The children enjoyed dressing up 

in their best clothes, playing party 

games, dancing to their favourite 

music and had some special treats 

for snack! We are looking forward to 

moving into our new accommodation as well as watching the progress of 

the school as it becomes a construction site. 

Youth Speech Competition 

Mearns Castle Victory 

Six teams from schools in East Renfrewshire 

recently took part in an Association of Speakers 

Clubs public speaking competition organised by 

Renfrew Speakers Club at St Luke’s High School. 

The teams included Woodfarm High School (two 

teams), Williamwood High School and St Ninian’s 

High School. 

The winning team was Mearns Castle High School and they are shown in 

the photograph (below left) from left to right: Emma Stewart, who carried 

out their Vote of Thanks, Main Speaker Kirsten West and their Chairperson 

Iona Gibson. 

The Runners Up was a team from St Luke’s High School and they are 

shown in the photograph (below right) from left to right: Orla McEntee, 

who carried out their Vote of Thanks, Main Speaker Rhiannon Rowley and 

their Chairperson Angela 

Carswell. 

Both teams chose to speak 

on the topic: Do we really 

need the Royal Family and 

associated aristocracy, 

or are they purely an 

anachronism? 

The teams were given two 

other Topics to choose 

from: Celebrities seem to 

be mainly people famous 

for their face lifts or weight 

loss-are there no worthwhile role models who might help to inspire young 

people? And –Are Food Banks a necessary evil in today’s society? 

The two teams will go forward to a Grand Final Competition in the Normandy 

Hotel on Wednesday 25 November to battle it out against the winners and 

runners up from schools in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. 

The Chief Judge Archie 

Anderson, President of Renfrew 

Speakers Club spoke highly 

on the standard of speaking 

achieved by the youngsters. 

Each of the Competition 

Contestants was awarded an 

Association of Speakers Clubs 

Certificate of Achievement, a 

useful addition for their future 

CVs. 

Gryffe High School 

Gryffestyles Week 

Gryffe High pupils and staff 

set aside a week to promote 

a healthy lifestyle. Apart from 

normal lessons, pupils took part 

in morning, lunchtime and after 

school sporting sessions. All 

departments like to contribute to 

the week in some way. 

The week finished with another 

successful 3k Fun Run day. This 

involved all year groups as well as 

the associated Primary Schools. Mr 

Gerard O’Hare who is the Faculty Head 

of Health and Wellbeing said, ‘With 

all seasons rolled into one day, some 

pupils basked in sunshine while others 

finished their race in torrential rain. 

support to our event as he cheered 

on S1 runners and presented 

medals at the end of their race. 

Science encouraged staff to 

come along and get a blood 

pressure check, Modern 

Languages took part in 

European Day of Languages, 

the Fairtrade committee 

made and served healthy fruit 

smoothies and every first year 

pupil took part in a Health Day. 

Over 800 runners participated 

in the day led by PE staff with 

the excellent support of the 

Sports Leader class. Pupils 

came well prepared with a 

fantastic range of costumes 

on display! Steven Thompson, 

St Mirren’s star striker, former 

Scotland internationalist and 

ex-Gryffe pupil gave his annual 

Huge thanks to Steven for his 

continued support. Also thanks to all 

runners - pupils and staff!’


Duchal Nursery School 

Abbey Nursery 

We are lucky to have our very own native speaking French teacher Madame Camelford who visits 

each week to introduce the children to a new language. Nursery years are an ideal time for children 

to pick up foreign language skills as young children are better at imitating sounds. Language learning 

develops a number of skills and the earlier a 

second language is learnt the better. Just before 

the break she introduced the younger children to 

French with a traditional breakfast of “chocolat 

chaud et croissants” (a very messy morning!!) 

so they will be already to start French after the 

holidays. 

Thursdays have become our Active Start days at 

Duchal. The Active Start programme is designed 

to introduce individual skills in a variety of activities 

that help develop hand-eye co-ordination, cooperation 

skills, spatial awareness and social 

skills. The children really look forward to it. 

Duchal is a parent co-operative run nursery allowing parents to be involved in the care of their preschooler. 

Contact Head Teacher Jean McCarthy on: Tel. 01505 874358. Also visit our website at: www. 

duchal.com and Facebook page for further information. 

Apologies to readers for not having updated 

you on activities at the nursery recently, but 

things have been very exciting and time has 

just flown by. 

Firstly, we would like to take this opportunity 

to thank all the parents who came along to 

our ‘Listening to Learn’ evening and hope you 

found the presentations informative as well 

as giving us all the opportunity to exchange 

ideas. 

Over the coming months we have lots of new 

opportunities for learning within the nursery 

including ‘Colourstrings’ music classes; Active 

Kids sports coaching; French lessons and 

Natural Discovery in the local woods. We 

have also hired the Scout Hall twice a week to 

give all children the opportunity for extended 

play activities which work better in a large clear 

space. 

The Busy Bunnies have been visiting the Scout 

Hall for large physical play such as Basketball 

and large music activities such as ring games. 

They have also been taking their learning 

outdoors and experimenting in the mud kitchen 

and going on Bug Hunts. The children have 

surprised us with their problem solving skills 

when trying to reach the apples in our apple 

tree - many successfully! 

In the Grasshoppers playroom the children 

are just loving the French topic and been 

constructing their own Eiffel Tower through 

junk models, learning colours and creating 

flags and using ICT to explore the wider world. 

On Monday we held our first (monthly) French 

language day, with children dressing up for the 

occasion and bringing in items to share with 

their friends. Just now we are focusing on 

simple greetings (hello, goodbye) and personal 

details (name and age) and will move on with 

new challenges each month. . 

Over the past month our Little Ladybirds have 

enjoyed exploring with our new discovery 

cubes which are textured and have an opening 

that the children can put their hands inside. 

We have been hiding different items inside the 

cubes for the children to discover and this has 

been a great opportunity for creative play and 

extended vocabulary. This follows on from an 

earlier ‘posting’ experience in the room with 

cardboard boxes – how great that fun can be 

so simple!! 

On Saturday 28 November from 10am – 

12.20pm we will be hosting a Christmas 

Fayre at the Nursery and warmly invite 

families and friends from the village. We 

promise lots of wonderful, festive stalls, 

great baking, a Christmas Grotto and lots 

of children’s activities so please put this 

important date in your diary.


59 59 

St Columba School Hockey Team 

Classics at Castle 

Semple Car Show 

With marvellous sunny Autumnal weather, the fifth 

Classics at Castle Semple car show at Lochwinnoch, 

couldn’t have been better. 

Organiser Jane Fawcett said “ This year was the 

best yet. The weather behaved, the cars poured 

in as did the public to enjoy the free show at this 

incredibly scenic site on the shores of Castle Semple 

Loch. We managed 

to squeeze in a few 

extras which included 

some classic bikes 

and a tractor driven 

from Kilbarchan by 

my colleague! What 

a laugh, seeing him 

bounce along to work 

that day! 

I reckon we had over 1000 people visit the loch 

that day and Lochwinnoch streets and shops were 

busy with the overspill. So many folks with cameras 

getting arty shots and everyone grinning. What a 

wonderful, friendly atmosphere. Lets just hope 

next year is even better! It’ll be held on Sunday 23 

October 2016 – so get it in your diary now! Many 

thanks to all who brought their beloved cars – I couldn’t have done it without you.” 

Castle Semple Sailing Club 

Ian Brown Cup Sunday 13 September 

After the postponement flag was raised at about 10.15 due to a distinct lack of wind 

and various people had resorted to grass cutting again - we are going to have the best 

manicured field in Lochwinnoch at this rate! - by around 10.45 the wind had picked up 

enough for the flag to come down and a rush to get boats in the water in time for the 

11am start. 

Not that many takers but we managed 7 boats - 4 GPs, Xenon, “Mighty” Vision, Solo 

and N12. A fair amount of boat swapping resulted in 11 helms registered for the the 5 

races - including for one race a lady helm - Katy Hall sailing with her father in a GP who 

managed to go from last to first position even after having done turns - very well done 

Katy - I know it was hard for Commodore Arthur Logan to admit he had been pipped to 

the post by a female - and in a GP at that! Jon Hasler was recorded as the person having 

sailed in the most number of boats, but he should have stuck to Plan A and stayed with 

Peter Collings. 

The wind managed to stay - just about for the 5 races, with 2 races before an excellent 

lunch and a further 3 races in the afternoon. A dull day for people in the rescue boat as 

the wind was not enough to cause any trouble, but the sun shone nearly all day which 

was a pleasant surprise after Saturday’s damp encounter. 

Thanks to everyone who so willingly took turns in the rescue boat, to the race officer and 

various assistants and everyone who 

helped in the kitchen. 

The final results were: 

1st - Graeme and Katy Hall (GP14) 

2nd - Peter Collings (with various crew) 

(GP14) 

3rd - Arthur and Fiona Logan (GP14) 

Many thanks to our sponsor Ian Brown 

Motors 

For more info see www.castlesemplesc. 

co.uk 

Buck Off Cancer 

Delighted to report that Team Gryffeside are having a 

phenomenally successful fundraising year thanks to the 

generous support of so many people. Our latest event was 

our auction which raised £1,500. This puts us well on track to 

end the year on our target of £25,000. In fact we are keeping 

everything 

crossed 

that we 

c o u l d 

s m a s h 

this as we 

are in the 

process 

of putting 

together 

a Buck Off Cancer Calendar for 2016. Boy did we have 

fun photographing that! Below is a taster! Please follow 

Gryffeside Livery on Facebook to see how our fundraising is 

getting on and for details on how you can get your hands on 

one of our calendars. 

Every single penny raised goes to Cancer Research UK. 

New Opening Hours at 

Birkmyre Park Fitness Gym 

Tried out our new TechnoGym equipment? What you 

waiting for? 

After the recent refurbishment we have extended the 

opening times to allow greater access to help you reach 

your goals.


Brookfield 

Curling Club 

Kilmacolm Tennis Club 

1 

Championships 

Houston United 

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. 

Football Training 

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. 

Saturday Sweep Curling 

Whether you’re a curling know-it-all or a novice, come on down to our 

Saturday Sweep Sessions at intu Braehead! 

Every Saturday until 2 April 2016. 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. 

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 contact Ali McMaster on 07775 578795, email 

Glentyanthistlefc@gmail.com or visit our website on www.glentyanthistle. 

co.uk 

We saw over six hours of tennis entertainment 

served up – most of them featuring Liz Reid. 

She just came up short at the final hurdle in 

her valiant attempt to pull off a triple crown 

of final victories – but after seven tough sets 

she was still up and on court with the other 

volunteers to help with the Junior Social on Sunday morning. 

Liz won her first ever Kilmacolm Ladies Singles title, as 

well as the Ladies Doubles with Val Lawrence. Marian 

Wardell was runner up in both singles and (with Gillian 

Finch) doubles. Another lovely match saw Connie Reid 

win the girls under 14 match with some super tennis 

from both her and Maddy Brooksbank. Three Cups for 

the Reid girls…. 

The Wilson boys 3 

2 

also came away 

with three titles. Ben won the under 

17 singles against Robbie Murdoch, 

and young Alexander managed to 

pull his uncle Kenny through to the 

men’s doubles title despite a cracking 

effort from opponents Joe O’Donnell 

and Sandy (no relation) Wilson. Alexander Wilson was in searingly good 

form and also secured the Mens’ Singles title for the second year in a row, 

defeating former champion Campbell McCulloch in the process. 

Sandy Wilson’s compensation for the 

pain of his Gents Doubles defeat came in 

partnership with Val Lawrence in the mixed 

doubles – they just had enough to edge out 

Joseph Reid and an understandably flagging 

Liz in a really competitive mixed doubles 

final. The quality and 

5 

competition were 

4 intense throughout. 

Possibly the other match of the day was a two hour 

epic in the Senior Ladies doubles. Jan Torrance 

and Isobel Evans edged past Pat Erasmus and 

Sandra Winter to get their names on the Shield. 

The Boys 

Under 14 

singles, saw Alexander Davies 

triumph over Keir McNair, bringing 

to an end a losing streak of seven 

successive losses in finals for the 

Davies family. 

6 

Memberships are still available at 

discounted rates for the club’s 125th anniversary. Email kilmacolmtennis@ 

googlemail.com or phone 07765 007798 for more information. 

Tickets for the Awards Dinner and Ceilidh (to be held at Kilmacolm Golf 

Club on Saturday November 14th) are available from any member of the 

committee. 

7 

9 

Photos - From top to bottom 

8 

1 - Boys Under 14 Singles – The Janette Dunsmore Trophy - Winner Alexander 

Davies on left and Runner Up Keir McNair, with Janette Dunsmore; 2 - Ladies 

Singles – Winner Liz Reid on left and Runner Up Marian Wardell; 3 - Gents Doubles 

– Winners Ken & Alexander Wilson on right and Runners up Joe O’Donnell & 

Sandy Wilson; 4 - Girls Singles – Winner Connie Reid and Runner up Maddy 

Brooksbank; 5 - Ladies Senior Doubles – Winners Jan Torrance & Isobel Evans; 

6 - Ladies Doubles – Winners Val Lawrence & Liz Reid on right, and Runners up 

Marian Wardell and Gillian Finch; 7 - Gents Singles – Winner Alexander Wilson 

on right and Runner up Campbell McCulloch; 8 - Boys Under 17 Singles – Winner 

Ben Wilson on right and Runner Up Robbie Murdoch; Picture 9 - Mixed Doubles – 

Winners Sandy Wilson and Val Lawrence


Birkmyre Senior Rugby Club 

61 61 

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 


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 


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 

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 


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 


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 

Well rugby season is here again and the Senior Birkmyre Bears have been 

up to much over the summer months. The team dedicated and applied 

themselves well to a 10 week intensive pre-season cross fit training 

programme. Highlights included flipping monster tyres, heavy logs and lots 

and lots of squats. 

The team have been reenergised with a desire to promote the club and 

all that it stands for. There is a reason that Birkmyre wear a bear and it is 

becoming a bear that has meant so much too so many. The senior first XV 

have taken this message on to another level and are determined to provide 

the platform we need to enable the youth of Birkmyre, of which are incredibly 

proud to come through and shine as 

much as they have done in the youth 

leagues. 

That being said we can only do so 

much as a small sleuth of bears. 

We call on anyone interested in not 

only bettering themselves, but laying 

down a foundation for the youth of 

area to play the level of Rugby they 

deserve. New to the game or been 

away a while this is your opportunity to be part of the 

revolution, a stunning opportunity and build the local 

community a real rugby team. 

All support is welcome and we would love to see 

everyone down on a Saturday afternoon to cheer on 

a new and improved Birkmyre Senior team. All home 

matches are played at Birkmyre park, Kilmacolm and 

dates are listed below. Our vibrant social calendar is also available to any and all 

spectators: 

Since this change in approach and attitude the net results have been huge and 

the benefits clearly been seen from a blistering start to the campaign. As such the 

seniors are currently unbeaten and go into the semi-final of their cup competition 

the Bowl. Great wins have already been enjoyed over local rivals: Greenock’s 

2nd XV and Loch Lomond. As the team heads into the shorter days, training will 

continue to be on a Tuesday and Thursday respectively. Please feel free to contact 

James Halpin - 07912 575680 with any enquiries. 

Bridge of Weir Ladies 

Badminton Club 

The new 80th Season is now underway and anyone wishing to join would 

be most welcome. Why not come along on Monday evening and see for 

yourself. We meet in the Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Crescent from 7.30pm to 

9pm. For more information, ring Anne, Sec., on 614895. 

Sporting Blog by 

Is it time to stop weighing yourself on the scales? 

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to 

health and fitness is motivation, and there is no bigger 

motivational killer than the scales. The truth is, when it 

comes to hitting your goals, the scales are sometimes 

the worst measure of success you can use. No matter 

how hard you train, or how well you eat, the scales can’t 

measure some of the most important things when it 

comes to your body, health and wellbeing. 

Scales can’t measure: 

• Fitness levels 

• Energy levels 

• Strength 

• Confidence 

• Sense of achievement • Happiness 

• Changes in body composition 

I have had clients who have completely transformed their 

body shape over a period of time, and yet the scales have 

showed no real difference. In some cases your body can 

be burning fat while the scales are not changing or even 

showing an increase! This can be hard for some people 

to comprehend as we have become so accustomed to 

stepping on to scales to measure changes. However, 

if you are training and eating right, an increase in your 

weight on the scales or no change does not necessarily 

mean you are gaining fat or not burning it. You are 

Table Tennis 

Houston Village Hall on Monday 

nights from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. 

All welcome. Donation £2. Call 

Mark on 07968 052538. 

Lesley Handley 

probably actually gaining and 

building lean muscle. And with 

muscle weighing in heavier 

than fat it will inevitably affect 

the results on your weight. 

Due to this, I encourage 

many of my clients to use 

progress pictures or body 

measurements to measure 

their success. 

When you start a new fitness programme, 

take photos of yourself and/or measurements and then 

repeat this each month. If you work hard, stay motivated 

and remain consistent with your training and nutrition, 

you will see positive changes in your body that the scales 

won’t necessarily show. Progress photos/measurements 

are more reliable as they physically show you the 

changes on each part of the body that might individually 

change. And as time goes on you will feel better showing 

off your before and after pictures than revealing how 

much weight you might have lost. 

Lesley 

For more information on any aspect of fitness or nutrition contact me on 

0773 627 4925, or email Lesley@fitsmartfitness.co.uk. For options for 

online personal training plans visit my website www.fitsmartfitness.co.uk.


‘Buddy’ (Bud) Gibb, 

by Russell & Julie Gibb 

from Houston, is sadly missed 

by everyone who knew him 

Pet Blog 

by PetVets 

Fear of Fireworks 

At this time of year many of us are looking forward to the fun of bonfire 

night but for many of our pets the 5th of November is a particularly scary 

date due to the noise of fireworks. Noise phobias are relatively common 

and can make bonfire night a very frightening, stressful experience. 

Signs to look out for include: 

• Ears back 

• Excessive panting and drooling in dogs 

• Shaking 

• Interacting less with 

owners and hiding away 

• Barking excessively 

• Toileting in the house 

• Vertical scratch marking 

in cats 

• Excessive grooming in cats 

• Abnormal behaviours 

If your pet has a problem with fireworks there are some things you can do 

to help them cope. These include: 

• Walk dogs before it starts to get dark then settle them in for the 

night. Keep all pets indoors once the fireworks start. 

• Feed your pet before the fireworks begin as they may be too 

distressed to eat later. 

• Provide a safe hiding place for your pet. Many cats will feel safer if 

they can hide in an elevated position. 

• Turn on the TV or radio to provide background noise and close the 

curtains. 

• Ensure the house and 

garden are secure as a very 

frightened animal may try to 

escape. 

• Don’t leave your pet alone, 

they will feel more secure 

with familiar people present. 

• Never punish your pet for 

expressions of fear such 

as toileting in the home or 

vocalising excessively. 

• Try not to reward fearful 

behaviour with excessive 

attention. It is best to ignore 

fear related behaviours and 

provide gentle reassurance 

if your pet comes to you for 

comfort. 

• It may help to distract your pet with games, training and treats. 

There are also many products on the market designed to help pets cope 

with scary situations. These include Adaptil diffusers and collars for dogs 

and Feliway diffusers for cats which release calming pheromones, and 

products such as Zylkene and Calmex which help reduce anxiety. In 

some severe cases mild sedatives may be required for the night itself. 

Your vet can advise you on the best products to help your pet. It is a good 

idea to discuss this with your vet well in advance of the event as many 

anxiety reducing products and techniques work best when started before 

the frightening noises begin. 

In the long term if your pet has a severe fear of fireworks it may be 

beneficial to attend a behaviourist for a desensitisation program. This can 

take several weeks to months but can be very beneficial in dealing with 

noise phobias, making bonfire night a much less stressful occasion and 

also helping animals to cope with other noisy day to day events e.g. loud 

traffic or vacuum cleaners. 

Dogs Unite 

Sunday 4th Oct was a successful 

day at Castle Semple. 

We raised a total of £334.00. 

Huge THANK YOU to all. We 

are hoping to hold other events 

in the future. If you would like to help please call 01505 705602.


63 63 

63 

Re-homing Pets 

Can you offer a home to any of our featured pets? 

Nala - a 2 year old 

female black short 

hair cat 

Nala is a lovely little 

cat who is now looking 

for a new home. Her 

previous owner said she would be ok 

living with children and other cats, but 

would prefer a home with no dogs. Her 

new home would need access to a garden as she is used to getting out 

to play. 

Ollie - 5 year old black and white 

male short hair cat 

Ollie is a really nice wee lad that has 

had a hard time. Ollie will require a 

garden and possibly could be homed 

with older children and other pets. 

Cardyke Farm, Langmuirhead Road, 

Auchinloch, Glasgow G66 5LD - Telephone 0141 779 3341 

Frankie - Age Unknown, Male Budgerigar. 

Ref 299240 

Frankie is a lovely 

wee chap who was found as a stray and is now 

at our centre looking for his forever home. He 

is a lovely little man that is looking for a quiet 

home with an owner that can give him a lot of 

love and affection. 

Mrs Doubtfire - Age Unknown, Female 

Hamster. Ref 299938 

Mrs Doubtfire arrived 

after her owner could 

no longer care for 

her and is now looking for her forever home. 

She enjoys being handled and should make a 

fantastic addition to her new home. 

To contact the centre about any animals, please 

call 03000 999 999 or visit www.scottishspca. 

org/rehoming 

Oakley - a 1-2 year old 

male Crossbreed. 

Oakley loves to play 

football and be on the go 

all the time. He is a huge 

fan of ice cubes! Oakley can live with 

children who are 8 years old or over and 

needs his own secure garden to play in. 

Oakley needs an experienced home who are around all day as he will 

chew and is worried when left. Oakley has a habit of eating non food 

items and needs constant supervision. The garden would need to have 

no stones. 

Thomas - 8+ year old male Labrador Cross 

Thomas is a lovely older gent 

who still loves his longs walks in 

the country. He loves company 

and treats! Thomas can live with 

children who are 12 years old or 

over and needs his own secure 

garden to play games in and 

practice his training. He needs an 

experienced home who are around 

most of the day to help him settle 

as he can be worried when left alone. 

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, 315 Hamilton Road, Uddingston, Glasgow, 

G71 7SL. Open: 12noon - 4pm (inc weekends); 12noon- 7.30pm on 

Tuesdays; closed: Wednesdays 

‘Dogalogue’ Gifts 

View our diverse collection of cards and wrapping 

paper and make this Christmas extra special. 

Browse our extended range of gifts where you 

are sure to find the perfect present. Discover 

our new selection of clothing and show your 

support for Guide Dogs. Every time you 

make a purchase from the Dogalogue you’ll 

be helping us 

to transform 

the lives of 

blind and partially 

sighted people 

across the 

UK. 

ALL profits go directly to Guide Dogs. 

Visit the website at www.dogalogue. 

Come and do your Christmas 

shopping early! 

Dogs Trust Gifts 

Our exciting new range is packed full of 

wonderful gift ideas for everyone; human 

and hound! 

You’ll find yuletide essentials, gifts for the 

home, clothing and much more. 

There is also a 

great new range of 

gifts for your canine companion. 

Support Dogs Trust and find the 

perfect gift, including food, gifts 

and much, much more. 

Every single purchase 

and donation helps 

Dogs Trust to care 

for thousands 

of stray and 

abandoned dogs. 

Visit www.dogstrustgifts.com do your 

Christmas shopping in the comfort of 

your own home.


Trades and Services 

ADVERTISING 

business ad rates: 

TRADES & SERVICES 

Black & White ads only 

Lineage: up to 20 words £12.50* 

Boxed ad: £7.00* per column cm 

PROPERTY & HOLIDAY HOMES 

CARS FOR SALE 

Lineage: up to 20 words £12.50* 

Boxed ad: £7.00* per column cm 

Photo: add £7.00* (colour) 

*all prices subject to VAT 

CHILDCARE 

TUITION 

MUSIC TUITION 

Kilmacolm/Quarriers area registered 

childminders. P/time or 

F/time vacancies for u-5’s and 

after school. T: 873839. 

Houston registered childminders. 

For an informal chat to 

find your best childcare, call 

Elizabeth Waddell T: 614925 

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Business 

SITUATIONs 

vacant 

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. 

ADVERTISE HERE 

FOR ONLY £16.79 

PER MONTH 

(incl. VAT)


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 13 Nov 

December ‘15 ISSUE: 

• Deadline: 13 November 

• Delivery: 27 November 

January ‘16 ISSUE: 

• Deadline: 09 December 

• Delivery: 30 December 

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 

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 

PROPERTY 

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 10.30am. Hearing 

aid loop system. www. 

stmacharsranfurlychurch.org. 

uk All welcome. 

Hope Hall: Sun 1pm Sunday 

School, 4.30pm Gospel 

Service; Mon 6.30pm 

Investigators for Kids, 8pm 

Bible Study and Prayer. 

From the Baha’i writings: “Be 

a preserver of the sanctity 

of thy pledge.” For details of 

meetings call 615641. 

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. 

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY to let 

CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT FROM 

THE PUBLISHER 

Advertising throughout The Gryffe Advertizer: 

The Gryffe Advertizer is a magazine published by The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd 

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. 

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. 

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 

Houston and Killellan Kirk: 

Church of Scotland, Scottish 

Charity no SC 012822. www. 

houstonkirk.org. 

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 

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. 

KILBARCHAN 

Services at 11am and in the 

East and West Churches as 

intimated in the Kilbarchan 

village column. The Midweek 

Fellowship meets on a 

Wednesday at 10.30am in 

the West Church Session 

House. All services conducted 

by the Rev Stephen Smith. 

Creche, Junior church and 

FEWsion/Bible Class meet at 

10.45am. 

KILMACOLM 

Kilmacolm Old Kirk: Church 

of Scotland (Charity 

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. 

The Very Rev Canon 

William McDade. Family 

mass Sundays 10am with 

children’s liturgy followed by 

tea and coffee. Weekly rosary 

Tuesdays 6.30pm, prayer 

group Thursdays 7.30pm. 

Eucharistic service Thursdays 

10.30am. Mass on Holy 

Days 7.30pm. All welcome. 

Information about parish 

events/contact details at www. 

stcolmsparish.co.uk 

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 

Missed something or fancy 

taking a look back over the 

last 8 years? 

visit www.advertizer.co.uk 

or 


http://issuu.com/gryffeadvertizer/docs 

St Fillan’s Episcopal Church 

(in Anglican Communion): 

Everyone is made welcome at 

our Church in Moss Road. The 

Rector is the Revd David Gifford 

and the Associate Priest the 

Revd Heller Gonzalez (resident 

in Kilmacolm Rectory). The 

regular Sunday Service is 

11.30am with a monthly 

Evensong on last Sundays 

at 6pm. 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 with 

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? 

65 65


Items For Sale 

Baby Equipment 

Toddler Bicycle helmets (44-48 

cm) pink x 2, suits appr. 1-5 

yrs old, good condition £5 

each. Tel: 01505 874870. 

Britax Baby Safe Car Seat 

black, height adjustable, suitable 

fr birth until appr. 2 yrs 

old, 5 point safety harness 

works with 3-point seat belt, 

Britax Babysafe Belted Base 

or Britax Babysafe Isofix 

Base. Excellent conditions 

£20. Tel: 01505 874870. 

Britax Car Seat black forward 

facing, 15-36 kg. Good 

condition. £20. Tel: 01505 

874870. 

Double buggy. Britax B-dual with 

red covers. £100. Tel:01505 

874406. 

Britax Booster Seat x 2. Good 

condition. £10 each. Tel: 0783 

721 9372. 

Gracco Booster Seat with 2 arm 

rests and 2 cup holders x 2 

good condition. £20 each. 

Tel: 0783 721 9372. 

Maclaren Techno XT Buggy and 

rain cover excellent condition. 

£80. Tel: 0783 721 9372. 

Newly hand knitted pure wool 2 

ply baby yarn shawl. If interested 

Tel: 01505 872813. 

Mamas and papas rock and 

roll ride on toy. Pet/ smoke 

free home. £20 Tel: 7730 

610272. 

Mamas and papa gingerbread 

collection, mobile (wall attachment 

only), light shade 

and cot bumper. Pet/smoke 

free home. £15. Tel: 7730 

610272. 

Toddler bed duvet sets. George 

pig, toy story and one with 

cars and trucks.£5 each or 

all 3 for £10. Tel: 7730 

610272. 

Brand New Britax Eclipse car 

seat (Group One). With tags 

and instruction booklet. RRP 

£129.99. Excellent reviews 

online. Sell for £50. BOW. 

Tel: 01505 612273. 

Maxi Cosi Pebble car seat, 

includes rain cover, instruction 

booklet and support cushion. 

Used but in very good condition. 

Rear facing, from birth 

to 13kg. BOW. Tel: 01505 

612273. Sell for £25. 

Fisher Price Jumperoo - Rainforest 

theme. Age 4 months+ 

smoke free home. £35. Tel: 

01505 873050. 

Bright Starts Bounce Bounce 

Baby - 360 rotating bouncing 

activity station. Age 4 

months+ smoke free home 

£30 tel: 01505 873050. 

Fisher Price Bounce and Spin 

Zebra with music. Age 12 

months+ smoke free home 

£10. Tel: 01505 873050. 

VTech Animal Fun Bounce 

Time Turtle - bounce and spin 

turtle with educational setting 

and music. Age 12 months+ 

smoke free home £10. Tel: 

01505 873050. 

Baby Back Carrier - Kelty Kids: 

Meadow. Age 6 months+ 

smoke free home £12. Tel: 

01505 873050. 

Baby Back Carrier - Tomy Snugli. 

Age 6 months+ smoke 

free home £5. Tel: 01505 

873050. 

High Pram. Good condition. 

Royale. £20. Tel: 01505 

613256. 

Clothes & Shoes 

Ladies size 10/12 Driza-bone 

3/4 coat. £60. Tel: 07449 

300988. 

Ladies size 10/12 Driza-bone 

full length coat. £60. Tel: 

07449 300988. 

Prince Charlie Jacket & Waist 

coat Size: 42-44. £15. Tel: 

01505 705665. 

Sporran for Kilt Fur & 3 tassels, 

Red Garter Flashes, imitation 

Ski & Dubh. £10 the 3 items. 

Tel: 01505 705665. 

Household & Garden 

Round kitchen or dining table 

and two chairs, butter milk 

colour. As new. Cost £350. 

Accept £75. Tel: 01505 

862609 

Two seater cream leather sofa 

and two matching armchairs 

in beechwood frames. in first 

class condition. no damage or 

marks. Ideal for conservatory 

or lounge. £250. Tel: 07860 

654418. 

Glass extendable table with light 

grey metal legs and four high 

backed cream leather chairs. 

Size 122 x 76cm (rectangular) 

extending to 122x122cm (circular) 

in good condition. £175. 

Tel: 07860 654418. 

Aynsley Little Sweetheart - 2 

bud vases (one square, the 

other round) and matching 

desk clock (still boxed) - the 

perfect Christmas gift for the 

more mature lady! £10 for all 

3. Tel: 07713 163639. 

Reid’s black leather reclining 

massage chair. £150. Tel: 

01505 673585. 

Italian black leather 3 seater 

modern design sofa with 

adjustable head rests. £195. 

Tel: 01505 673585. 

Traditional velvet 3 seater sofa 

mink/taupe colour. £185. Tel: 

01505 673585. 

Brown Leather Suite 1 x 2 

seater, 1 x Armchair, 1 x 

Footstool with Storage. In 

perfect condition non smoking 

non pet household. £200. Tel: 

07967 118735. 

Traditional style mahogany 

computer desk with inlaid 

burgundy leather top. £150. 

Tel: 01505 613489. 

2 coffee coloured jumbo cord 

lounge chairs. £100ono. 

Bridge of Weir. Tel: 0141 

886 3545. 

Brand new carpet 5square 

metres. Silver grey. £30. Tel: 

01505 614201. 

Oak tv cabinet W100 D60 H50 

with 2 drawers excellent 

condition. £40. Tel: 01505 

614201. 

Office type chair leather. Good 

condition £10. Tel: 01505 

705665. 

Modern Dining Table and 6 

chairs. American Walnut 

with end drawers. 2m x 1m. 

6 brown faux leather high 

backed chairs. £350. Tel: 

07540 077402. 

Loft Bed, silver metal. With desk 

and futon. Chair underneath. 

VGC. Clean mattress £50. 

Tel: 01505 610119. 

White marble wash stand. Two 

drawer. £70. Tel: 07501 

974158. 

Antique mahogany dining room 

table with 6 chairs (inc 2 

carvers). Perfect condition. 

Offers when seen. Tel: 01505 

874408 or 07710 496789. 

2 Rattan Conservatory Chairs. 

M&S Bermuda Range. Oatmeal 

cushions. VGC. £260. 

Also free cane coffee table. 

Tel: 01505 705450. 

Retro/Vintage Macintosh/ 

Beithcraft extending solid 

mahogany dining table, 2 

upholstered carvers & 4 upholstered 

chairs, excellent 

condition. £150. Matching 

sideboard available. Tel: 

07954 364125. 

Nursing gliding chair with footstool, 

Cream colour. £25. Tel: 

07748 876561. 

Dining Room Table - Stag Versailles, 

light mahogany, classic 

design, seats 6 extends to 

8. As new due to limited use. 

Pictures available. £200ono. 

Tel: 07887 841613. 

Six dining chairs (4 plus 2 carvers) 

- Stag Versailles, light 

mahogany, dark teal upholstery. 

Excellent condition due 

to limited use. Pictures available. 

£200ono. Tel: 07887 

841613. 

Sideboard - To match Stag 

Versailles dining furniture, 

light mahogany, 3 cupboards, 

3 drawers. H 84cm x L 140cm 

x D 50cm. Pictures available. 

£150 ono. Tel: 07887 

841613. 

Bed Super King Size. Brand 

new still in wrappers (Mattress) 

Bed frame brand new 

£200. Tel: 07791 688240. 

Flymo garden vac. £15. Tel: 

01505 614503. 

Electrical & Gas 

Small 15” flat screen TV with 

build in DVD player (Alba 

make). Ideal for kitchen or 

childs room. £25. Tel: 07951 

010557. 

Indesit Washing Machine. £50 

ono. Bridge of Weir. Tel: 0141 

886 3545. 

Hotpoint Fridge. £30ono. Bridge 

of Weir. Tel: 0141 886 3545. 

Hotpoint Freezer. £30ono. 

Bridge of Weir. Tel: 0141 

886 3545. 

Microwave. £20 ono. Bridge of 

Weir. Tel: 0141 886 3545. 

LG 42” television, (LF77), 

Freeview/Freesat. Good 

condition, great picture. Can 

be seen working. Selling 

due to upgrade. Cost £499 

new. Sell for £80. Tel: 01505 

690 247. 

32” LCD HD TV in very good 

working order and condition. 

Also has DVD player built in. 

£70. Tel: 07860 654418. 

Kenwood BM250 bread maker, 

hardly used with instructions 

and recipe book £30. Tel: 

07810 355688. 

Frigidaire 2800rpm spin dryer. 

Ideal for spinning hand-wash 

or delicate items. £10. Tel: 

07713 163639. 

TV, Toshiba with stand and 

digibox. Good working order. 

24” screen. £20. Tel: 01505 

613256. 

Bosch dishwasher, Neff hob and 

oven all VGC. £120, will split. 

Tel. 01505 615326 / 07840 

692532. 

Red ‘Next’ Microwave and 

Toaster. Microwave hardly 

used. £35 for both. Tel: 

01505 690638. 

Domotec Super Steam Cleaner 

with iron. In box, used twice. 

£100. Tel: 01505 610996. 

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. 

Airforce Air Cooler, Evaporative 

Cooler with Ioniser. In box. In 

excellent condition. £40. Tel: 

01505 610996. 

Daewoo Compact 1100 Watt 

Hoover. £15. Tel: 01505 

610996. 

Baxt Windermere Cast Iron 

Stove Brand New. £130. Tel: 

07791 688240. 

Pets 

Hamster cage (large) platform 

with bed, wheel, wooden 

block, exercise ball, water 

bottle etc. £25. Tel: 07951 

010557. 

Aquarium Tank Aqua one 620T 

Fresh water or Tank with 

cabinet to match, comes 

complete with internal lighting, 

filter integrated in housing, 

heater, Gravel & rocks and 

a few extra’s. £100 secures. 

Tel: 01505 705665. 

Sports 

Full set slazenger golf clubs. 

Bag/golf master trolley. Tel: 

0141 840 1760. 

Girls Bike, 16” 112/125cm. 

‘Sparkle & Glitz’. 5-7 years. 

Calliper Brakes. Detachable 

Stabilizers. Brand new, still 

in box. £40. Tel: 01475 

540327. 

Ladies/Girls Apollo Haze, 17” 

frame, bike with accessories 

including, front wire basket, 

Trax helmet, pump, lock and 

water bottle. Only used once. 

Excellent condition. Cost 

£173 - Sell for £65. Tel: 01505 

690247. 

Junior BBE Britannia Boxing 

bag and gloves, like new. £20. 

Tel: 07951010557 

Babolat Tennis Racket 21”, blue/ 

white/black, like new, hardly 

used.£15. Tel: 07951010557 

Scooter - black, called “The 

Wave” £7. Tel: 07951010557 

Crane Sports Power X8 cross 

trainer, hardly used with instructions 

£150. Tel:07810 

355688. 

Vintage Bicycle Gents 23” 

Raleigh Superbe in time warp 

condition Sturmey Archer 

gears enclosed chaincase 

Green. £200. Tel: 07791 

688240. 

Girls Bike 15” frame good 

condition £35. Tel: 07791 

688240. 

Folding bike fits any size £35. 

Tel: 07791 688240. 

Toys/Games/DVD 

Small Trampoline - Chad Valley, 

Pink. Size H56, W56, D56cm 

Age 12 months+ smoke 

free home £5. Tel: 01505 

873050. 

Outdoor plastic children’s picnic 

table. £5. Tel: 7730 610272. 

PS4 Dexter Box Set, series 1-8. 

£25. Tel: 01505 341049. 

Dragon Ball XenoVerse PS4. 

£20. Tel: 01505 341049. 

WWE 2K15 PS4. £12. Tel: 

01505 341049. 

VTech Playtime Bus - teaches 

phonics, letters and numbers 

- very good condition - £5. Tel: 

07713 163639. 

Wooden push along trolley 

with alphabet bricks. £5. Tel: 

07713 163639. 

Rainbow Magic Books - 13 

single, 3 sets and 1 Treasury. 

Outstanding condition. Perfect 

for any little girl (age 4-8) 

£10. Tel: 07713 163639. 

Microsoft Xbox Vouchers. Unwanted 

gift. £40 value for just 

£30. Tel: 07841 234981. 

Apollo Spider-Man Kids Bike (20 

inch) - ideal for child age 5 - 8. 

Excellent condition, as good 

as new. Cost £120 sell for 

£30. Tel: 01505 690658. 

Other Items 

Telford Tempest 150ltr S/S 

Direct Cylinder + all fittings 

for installation new. Still in the 

box. Must uplift. £350ono.Tel: 

01475 540313. 

Acoustic guitar suitable for 8 - 14 

year old right handed hardly 

used in first class condition 

£25. Tel: 07860 654418. 

Stagg Electric black and white 

guitar and Marshalls amplifier 

suitable for teenager/young 

adult (right handed) almost 

new £65 for both. Tel: 07860 

654418. 

Tom Tom car Sat Nav. Working 

order with instruction booklet. 

6 years old. £10. Tel: 01505 

613256. 

Riefler compass set drafting 

tools new in box. £10. Tel: 

01505 614503. 

Corby 7700 Trouser Press, in 

perfect condition. £65. Tel: 

07475 500433. 

Black & Decker Workmate Plus 

Bench (W825). Unopened 

present. Would be a nice gift 

for Christmas. Sell for £35. 

Tel: 01505 690 247. 

Pair of ‘Jamo’ 100W, D-135, 

black ash speakers. (H21” x 

W11” x D9”). Comes complete 

with stands. Good condition. 

Sell for £40. Tel: 01505 

690247. 

Winter wheels for BMW Series 

3. Set of (4), steel rims, used 

two seasons. Tyre treads 

greater than 6mm. Cost £950 

new, will accept £350. Tel: 

01505 872062. 

Bicycle Rack (Graber USA) 

for Hatchback/Estate Car. 

As new. £15. Tel:07501 

974158. 

Apple I Phone 5 black in leather 

wallet new battery plus new 

spare takes most sims try 

before you buy no issues with 

this reliable phone private 

sale no prejudice £130. Tel: 

07791 688240. 

Phablet 7 “ phone tablet combined 

brand new dual sim 

£100. Tel: 07791 688240. 

FREE CYCLE 

FREE: 3 seater couch. Neat 

size. Beige floral chintz. Very 

clean washable covers. Good 

condition. Tel: 01505 610119. 

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. 

Garage space needed to store 

a motorbike over the winter. 

Will pay. Contact David 

07769847387. 

Black Dining Room Table. Tel: 

01505 506385. 

HELP NEEDED 

Do you know sign language? 

Are you a native BSL user? 

I am looking for some help 

in the run up to my BSL level 

2 exams. If you can help 

me, please email: eleanormconnelly@gmail.com 

or call 

07792 661 772.

67 67 


Advertizers - A to Z 

by category 

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: (#255) December 

Deadline: 


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. 





never miss an issue again! 

visit www.advertizer.co.uk or 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 4 

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 50 

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 15 

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 49 

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

A&J Plumbing Heating & Gas . . 15 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 11 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 27 

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 

AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 

Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 2 

Alistair McMahon Driving . . . 43 

Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 16 

Amaretto Ristorante & Pizzeria . . 25 

Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 48 

Architectural Drawings . . . . . 27 

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Ardardan Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 40 

Art Windows and Doors . . . . . . 13 

Ashes Hair & Beauty . . . . . . . . 45 

Baillie & Baillie Estate Agent . . 27 

Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Bathroom Solutions by MPH . . 11 

Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

Beautique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 61 

Bell Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 41 

Blackwood of Kilmacolm . . . . . 9 

Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 7 

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 4 

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 10 

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 3 

Casa Homes & Gardens Architect . . 7 

Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 2 

Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Chips Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 2 

Conservatory Conversions . . . Bk 

Corum Property . . . . . . . 29,30,31 

Council Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Crafts of Calder Gallery . . . 3 

Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 50 

CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 38 

DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 51 

Dog Treat Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 16 

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Fair Pley Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 36 

Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 27 

First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

G J Tiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Gibb Stuart Ironmongers . . . 23,34,58 

Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 50 

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 32 

Accountants & Financial 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 27 

Cheetham & Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Fiona Christie Accounting Serv . . 27 

Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk 

Architectural Services 

Architectural Drawings . . . . . 27 


Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Art, Gifts & Flowers 


Paisley Artists Annual Exhibit . . 23 

Automotive Services 

AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 

Chips Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

Gryffe Garage Motor Engineers . . 32 

Bathrooms 


Bathroom Solutions by MPH . . 11 

CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 


Bedrooms 


Blacksmith & Metalwork 

Iron House Stoves Limited . . 37 

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 5 

Building Services 

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 49 


DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 4 

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 15 

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 

MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 44 

SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 16 

Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 7 

Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 57 

Business Services 

Laptop and PC Repairs . . . . . . 27 

Care Services & Homes 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 2 

Catering 

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 14 

Charity 

Quarriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Cleaning & PowerWash 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 


Gryffe Roofing Services . . . . 15 

MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk 

Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 39 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 

Coffee Shops 


Willow Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

Computer, IT & Web 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Computer Repairs . . . . . . . . . . 1 


Council Notices 

Council Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Driveways 

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Driving Instructors 

Alistair McMahon Driving . . . 43 

Alistair Stewart - Driving Ins . . 16 


Happy Rambles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 3 

Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3 


I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 12 

Ian Livingston Decorating . . 18 

Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 12 

Inverclyde Council . . . . . . . . . 49 

Iron House Stoves Limited . . 37 


James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 

JayBee Double Glazing Repairs . . 16 

JBC Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 4 

Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 9 

JRS Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . 2 

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 14 

Kerr McAuley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 

Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 45 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 21 


Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 


LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 


M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 16 

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

MattVac Carpet & Upholstery Cl . . Bk 


McDonald Decorators . . . . . . . . 9 

McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 16 


Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 5 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 40 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 18 

Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club . . 60 


Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 19 

P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 18 

Paisley Artists Annual Exhibit . . 23 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 

Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Quarriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 50 

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Saks & Hart Country Living . . 8 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 63 


Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 40 

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 55 

Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk 

Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 62 



TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

The Corran Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

The Firewood Barn . . . . . . . . . 43 

The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 43 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 


Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 51 

Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 42 

Willow Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 14 

Woofers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Education 

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 55 

Electricians 

Bell Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Entertainment 

Fair Pley Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Inverclyde Council . . . . . . . . . 49 

Fencing 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 


Firewood & Logs 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 5 

The Firewood Barn . . . . . . . . . 43 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

Framing 


Funeral Services 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 4 

Garage Doors & Gates 

Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Garden Service & Design 

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 50 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 49 

Apple Tree Garden Design . . . 48 


Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 50 

DJD Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

DMG Garden Services . . . . . . . . 51 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 50 



MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

R Williams Tree Surgeon & Grou . . 50 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 51 

Gas & Heating Services 



GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 



Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Glazier 


Cloudy2Clear Windows Glasgow . . 5 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Hairdressers & Barbers 



JRS Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . 2 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 40 

Health, Beauty & Fitness 



Beautique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Beginners Yoga - Sara Marijuan . . 61 

Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Decorus Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 36 

Healing Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Kilbarchan Chiropodists . . . . 45 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 21 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 18 

Sole Solutions Podiatry . . . . 40 

Home Hardware 

First Domestics . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Gibb Stuart ........... 23,23,34,58 

Home Improvements 



CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Ideal Flooring Service . . . . . 12 

Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Home Interiors 

Baytree Interiors . . . . . . . . . 5 




Home Security 

Bell Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 7 

Joiners 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 3 


JBC Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 


McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 16 




TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Woodburn & Beattie Joiners . . 14 

Kilt & Dress Hire 

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 3 

Kitchens 



CRW Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 



Leisure & Recreation 


Locksmiths 

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Houston Locksmiths . . . . . . . . . 3 

Painters & Decorators 

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 15 

David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Ian Livingston Decorating . . 18 

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 

John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

McDonald Decorators . . . . . . . . 9 

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Pet Services & Training 

Barking Mad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Dog Treat Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 

Happy Rambles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 63 

Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 62 

Woofers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Plasterers 


Charlie Orr Plasterer . . . . . . 2 



Plumbers 




GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 


JDPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 


Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Property, Sales & Let 

Baillie & Baillie Estate Agent . . 27 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . 29,30,31 


Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Removals 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 4 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Restaurant & Bars 

Amaretto Ristorante & Pizzeria . . 25 



The Corran Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Retail 

Alexander Barr Coal Merchant . . 2 


Blackwood of Kilmacolm . . . . . 9 

Gibb Stuart . . . . 23,34,58 

Saks & Hart Country Living . . 8 


Wild Rose Flowers Ltd . . . . . . 42 

Roofing 










Social Care 

Quarriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Solicitors 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 11 


Special Occasions 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Sports Clubs & Events 


Taxis & Minicoach hire 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 9 

Tiling 

G J Tiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 14 

Kerr McAuley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Travel Agents 

Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Tree Surgeon 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 


LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

TV & Satellite 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 38 

Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 

Upholstery Services 

P Thomson Upholstery . . . . . . . 18 

Window Cleaners 



Window, Consv & Repair 


Art Windows and Doors . . . . . . 13 



TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

68 

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

you can contact us @GryffeAds using #Advertizer 

or by email info@advertizer.co.uk or phone 01505 613340

254 November 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?